Event Details

Race Date

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Distance Options

5K (3.1 miles)
1-mile Kids Run
1/4-mile Kids Run (for kiddos 12 and under)

Event Day Schedule

6:30 AM – Registration opens
7:30 AM – 5K Start*
8:00 AM – Strawberry Festival opens
8:50 AM – 1/4-mile Kids Run Start*
9:05 AM – 1-mile Kids Run Start*
6:00 PM – Strawberry Festival ends

*No late starters

Course Maps

Check out the course maps here!

Included in your registration:

Custom event T-shirt
Impressive commemorative medal
One FREE beer in the Vista Strawberry Festival craft beer garden (21+ only)
One-day pass to the invite-only Carlsbad Columbia Sportswear Employee Store
Carton of Hollandia Dairy strawberry milk
Age group awards
Fresh strawberries
And more!

Costume Contest

Do you like to run dressed in your Berry best? Is your team all-in for a theme? Or maybe you jam out all alone? Dress up with a Strawberry theme, and join us after the run at the North County Ford Contest Stage at 9:30 am for our Runners’ Costume Contest! Fun prizes for the Berry best-dressed runners! Even if costumes aren’t your jam, join us to cheer for your favorite solo or team costumes.

Strawberry Festival

After the race, spend the day enjoying one of the largest single-day street fairs in North County! Enjoy yummy treats, unique finds, live entertainment, crafts, beer garden, and much more!

Parking

Parking in and around downtown Vista will be limited. Strawberry Run participants can park in the nearby public parking lots at the Vista Civic Center, Vista Library, and Vista Transit Center or take the Barnicles Express Strawberry Festival courtesy shuttles from the Vista County Courthouse at 325 S. Melrose Drive. Shuttles will run from 6:15 am until 7 pm, leaving approximately every 15 minutes. Return shuttles will pick up in front of Starbucks in Vista Village at 30 Main Street.

DO NOT park in the Frazier Farms parking lot, as towing will be enforced during the Strawberry Run and Festival.

5K Time Limit

There is a 1-hour time limit for the 5K. Participants must maintain a 19:21-minute-per-mile pace or faster to finish the 5K in 1 hour or less.

Packet Pickup

Save time on race day by picking up your packet in advance!

Saturday, May 23, 2026
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Downtown Vista, at the entrance to the sports fields of the Vista Magnet Middle School off S. Citrus Avenue, near Eucalyptus Avenue. Free and convenient parking can be found in and around downtown Vista, including the City parking lot located at S. Citrus Avenue and E. Broadway.