PACERTRIP CITY EDITIONUS / RACE GUIDE

Rock 'n' Roll San Diego

Name: RUNNING MY FIRST MARATHON!!! (Race Day / San Diego Rock 'n' Roll)
Uploaded: 2023-06-12
Description: Rock 'n' Roll San Diego is a major running event in San Diego, California, organised by the IRONMAN Group. It comprises a marathon, half marathon and 5K. First held in 1998 as the original Rock 'n' Ro

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

San Diego
US

Aaron R. Fulkerson · CC BY-SA 2.0William J Blees · Public domain

Race date in 243 days: Jun 6, 2027 Sun
City · Distance: San Diego · 42.2km · 21.1km · 5km
Entry fee: $230.59Varies by event and entry period
Status: OpenSee how to enter ↗

Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 6, 2026

About the race Runner stories How to enter Course Race Prep Travel

Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

Rock 'n' Roll San Diego is a major running event in San Diego, California, organised by the IRONMAN Group.

It comprises a marathon, half marathon and 5K.

First held in 1998 as the original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, it pioneered the 'on-course music' concept, with live bands and DJs positioned throughout course.

It is the original event in the global Rock 'n' Roll Running Series.

The course starts near Balboa Park and loops through about eight neighbourhoods before finishing in downtown San Diego.

It is both a Boston Marathon qualifying course and a USATF-certified race.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

#RocknRollSanDiego#SanDiego#Overseas Marathon#June Marathon

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 2

quietdisciplineRan in 2013 · Finish time 3:26:29

“I finished strong, running the last 2.5 miles around a 7 minute pace.”

The runner ran conservatively with the 3-hour 30-minute pacer until 20 miles, then picked up the pace and finished in 3 hours 26 minutes 29 seconds. The runner noted the long hill and narrow section at mile 21, and praised the aid stations and shuttle service.

Read the original on Running Inspired Blog

“Other than that, the race was really fun and I definitely want to do it again next year.”

A first-time San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon participant recorded the problems they experienced while waiting for the toilets and storing their belongings.

Read the original on Reddit

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Finisher vlog

Nick Walker · Finisher vlog

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

General entry

Online registration at fixed prices.

First-come, first-served pricing structure that increases from presale to early-bird to regular price

Charity

St. Jude Charity Runner Program — free entry based on the fundraising commitment, with benefits varying by tier

Qualifying time

Elite Athlete Program — registration for elite runners through a separate application process

Official race website Entry options

From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

The 42.2km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 06:15

Time limitMarathon 7 hours

Marathon 7 hours · half marathon 4 hours · 5K 1 hour

Marathon $142~172 (sale price~regular price) · half marathon $135~163 · 5K $86~92
First-come, first-served pricing that increases over time; final prices are not confirmed

not the start line

We have not confirmed the start line coordinates yet.

START

Sixth Avenue & Quince Street, Balboa Park

as of 2026 · shared by the marathon and half marathon

Start · Google Maps

FINISH

Ash Street & Union Street, downtown San Diego near Waterfront Park

as of 2026

Finish · Google Maps

Cut-off
Participants must pass the 8.3-mile point (University Ave & Grim Ave) by 09:05. Anyone who does not will be forcibly diverted to half marathon course and processed as DNF

Original course map · runrocknroll.com

Runners start · local time — Marathon · half marathon 06:15 (as of 2026, subject to change) · 5K 07:00 (the previous Saturday)

The marathon and half marathon start at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Quince Street near Balboa Park.

The course runs through eight iconic San Diego neighbourhoods to finish downtown.

The 5K starts on Presidents Way and Park Boulevard in Balboa Park and finishes on Balboa Drive.

The marathon has a time limit at mile 8.3;

participants who do not reach it by 9:05 am are moved to the half marathon course and are not recognised as official finishers.

AIMS Certified: Member race of the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races)
Typical race-season temperature: around 19°C (66°F): Short sleeves — hydrate for the warmth

Participant benefits

Bib

official timing device

Technical performance T-shirt

swag bag

Course My water·sports drink·energy gel

Finisher medal

Finish Concert

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

Pick up your bib at the expo

All participants must collect bib and their timing chip in person during the expo; race-day pickup is not available.
As of 2026: Friday 12:00–19:00 · Saturday 09:00–17:00 (the 2027 schedule has not been announced)

San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Dr., Halls FGH

Google Maps Directions

Free admission · A photo ID is required

Stations & transport near the venue

Just tap your own contactless credit/debit card or phone wallet at the Trolley platform validator or bus farebox reader — San Diego's PRONTO system accepts foreign contactless cards directly, no local card needed.

Getting to the start

Waterfront Park, downtown San Diego — nearest MTS Trolley stations County Center/Little Italy (Green/Blue Line, ~1.6mi walk) or Fifth Avenue Station (Orange/Blue Line, ~1.4mi walk)

PER PRIOR EDITION (2026).

MTS: NO shuttle bus to the start;

walk from a trolley station.

Trolley starts ~4:34 AM, use PRONTO card.

Watch for possible Orange Line closures near race weekend (Green Line alternative).

Getting to the finish

also Waterfront Park/downtown area — Courthouse, America Plaza, Santa Fe Depot, County Center/Little Italy stations most convenient

Widespread race-morning street closures put several MTS bus routes on detour.

More details

No shuttle bus to the start;

MTS Trolley recommended, plus free park-and-ride lots.

Info sourced via San Diego MTS and news coverage.

IC card

PRONTO

PRONTO app, vending machines at Trolley stations, or retail partners (only needed if you want a physical reloadable card)

Works directly at the gates

Alternative: Day Pass (via contactless fare cap) USD $6.00 (auto-capped) — Automatic —

tapping the same card/phone for multiple rides in one calendar day caps your total at the day-pass price.

More details

PRONTO replaced the old Compass Card system and supports open-loop contactless payment across MTS buses/Trolley and NCTD Coaster/Sprinter/Breeze buses.

A one-way fare is $2.50, valid for 2 hours of transfers.

Source · checked Aug 22, 2026 Source · checked Aug 17, 2026

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

Bib pickup is available at the Health & Fitness Expo during the two days before the race.

Race-day pickup is not available, so you must visit during expo hours.

Live bands, DJs and cheer squads throughout the course are central to the identity of this event.

An encore concert follows at the finish line.

The time limit is seven hours for the marathon, four hours for the half-marathon and one hour for the 5K.

Marathon participants must start within the first 15 corrals to reach the 8.3-mile cutoff.

Bag check is available only to marathon and half-marathon participants.

Bicycles, inline skates, strollers and pets are completely prohibited on the course.

Times are local to San Diego. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels that make race morning easyHotels to rest in right after the finish

7 places

Distances are straight-line from the start.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Distances are straight-line from the finish.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Near the startNear the finish

The start and finish are 2.0km apart.

Abpopa Hillcrest

Hotel · 1.1km

6.8/10(126)

View on Booking.com

City24 Condo Hotel Little Italy Mission Hills

Accommodation · 1.3km

9.2/10(498)

View on Booking.com

Suite Steps to San Diego Top Spots

Accommodation · 1.1km

9.2/10(13)

View on Booking.com

Big Studio with Ocean View max 6 sleepers

Accommodation · 1.2km

8.9/10(64)

View on Booking.com

Spacious Guest Suite Amazing Location

Accommodation · 1.2km

7.6/10(61)

View on Booking.com

Bridgeview Retreat Near Balboa Park

Accommodation · 474m

8.6/10(7)

View on Booking.com

201 Urban Retreat just Steps from Little Italy

Accommodation · 1.2km

9.4/10(6)

View on Booking.com

Springhill Suites By Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront

Hotel · 601m

9.0/10(555)

View on Booking.com

Best Western Plus Bayside Inn

Hotel · 469m

8.7/10(983)

View on Booking.com

Doubletree By Hilton San Diego Downtown

Hotel · 645m

8.4/10(385)

View on Booking.com

Residence Inn By Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront

Hotel · 556m

8.4/10(65)

View on Booking.com

Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown, Curio Collection By Hilton

Hotel · 573m

8.3/10(265)

View on Booking.com

Intercontinental San Diego, An Ihg Hotel

Hotel · 631m

8.2/10(230)

View on Booking.com

Residence Inn By Marriott San Diego Downtown

Hotel · 138m

8.1/10(754)

View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

View on map →

Time for you, before and after the finish

51 experiences

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

RECOVERY & SPA2SIT-DOWN TOURS7CARB LOADING7LOCAL TRANSIT7FAMILY PASS7TRAIL & OUTDOOR7CITY TOURS7EASY WALKING7

San Diego: Guided Meditation and Mountain Hiking Tour

$71

View on GetYourGuide

Yoga experience on San Diego beaches

$46

View on GetYourGuide

City Cruises San Diego: The Bay’s Best Scenic Harbor Cruise

$37

View on GetYourGuide

San Diego: City Cruise Buffet Dinner Cruise with Drinks

$105

View on GetYourGuide

San Diego: City Cruise Buffet Breakfast and Brunch Cruise

$103

View on GetYourGuide

San Diego Speedboat Tour

$171

Rock 'n' Roll San Diego

About Rock 'n' Roll San Diego — what makes it special

A day you'll remember,long past the finish line.

The road to your own record

When the city cheers

The trip that follows the run