FAQ
Sunday, May 24, 2026
- 7:30 AM – 5K
- 8:00 AM – Strawberry Festival opens
- 8:50 AM – 1/4-mile Kids Run
- 9:05 AM – 1-mile Kids Run
- 9:30 AM – Runner Costume Contest at Main Stage
- 6:00 PM – Strawberry Festival ends
- Custom event T-shirt
- Impressive commemorative medal
- One FREE beer in the Vista Strawberry Festival craft beer garden (5K participants, 21+ only)
- One-day pass to the invite-only Carlsbad Columbia Sportswear Employee Store
- A carton of Hollandia Dairy strawberry milk
- Age group awards
- Souvenir bib number
- Fresh strawberries
- And more!
Use this tool (link coming soon) to see if you have already registered for the event. You can search for an existing registration using your first name, last name, or email address.
You can find all of the course maps here!
Please note that the 5K course shares the road with vehicular traffic. Make sure to stay in the designated 5K lanes and follow all instructions from law enforcement and race personnel.
Yes, 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. Participants who do not reach Eucalyptus Ave by 8:00 AM will not be able to do the Oceanview Circle and will continue south on S Santa Fe Ave.
No late starters are allowed. Everyone must be in the start line staging area and ready to begin the race by 7:30 AM.
Save time on race day by picking up your packet in advance!
Saturday, May 23
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.
A friend or family member can pick up your bib for you!
The 5K is timed!
The 1-mile Kids Run and 1/4-mile Kids Run are just for fun!
Award sliders will be offered to the first three overall male, female and non-binary 5K finishers, based on gun time and the first three male, female and non-binary finishers in the following age groups, based on chip times: 12 & under, 13-17, 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80+.
5K award medals will be available for pickup from 8:15 to 9:30 AM from the Information Tent located on the Vista Magnet Middle School track. There will not be an awards ceremony.
Award winners who do not pick up their award medal on race day will receive an email with instructions on how to collect it from our office in San Marcos or have it mailed for a fee. Awards not claimed within 14 days will no longer be available.
The 1-mile and 1/4-mile are just for fun and not timed.
Yes! You can register for the virtual category!
Yes, one parent or adult may accompany each registered child on the 1-mile or 1/4-mile course.
Yes, strollers are welcome in the 5K!
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.
No, gear check will not be provided on event day.
No. Dogs are not allowed on the Vista Magnet Middle School track, which is the start and finish line location of the event.
The Strawberry Festival does allow dogs. Feel free to grab your sweet pup after your race and enjoy the Strawberry Festival together.
Yes! During registration, you can choose to sign up as an individual or join a team. Once a team has been created, it will be available for other participants to join as well. The first person to create the team automatically becomes the team captain. We do not offer team scoring; teams are just for fun.
How do I create a team?
How do I add myself to a team after registration?
How do I change my team name?
How do I invite people to join my team?
How do I view my team roster?
All entry fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
If you can no longer attend the event in person and would like to become a virtual participant, you can email us to make that change.
Yes. See the road closure information here and contact us for any additional questions.
Our Sponsors
