Carlsbad Marathon
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36th Annual Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K
The Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K is a coastal running event held in Carlsbad, California. Scheduled over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the races feature oceanfront views along the Pacific coast. The event serves as the first race of the SoCal Triple Crown and includes several participation options:
- Marathon (26.2 miles) - A Boston qualifying event with a 6-hour time limit.
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles) - A coastal course with a 4-hour time limit and team scoring options.
- 5K (3.1 miles) - A quick out and back route along the Buena Vista Lagoon with a 1-hour time limit.
- Double Down Challenge - A combination of the 5K and the Half Marathon distances.
- Virtual Run - Remote participation options for all event distances.
All races start and finish at The Shoppes at Carlsbad. The Marathon and Half Marathon courses travel primarily along Highway 101 and Carlsbad Boulevard, providing participants with sweeping Pacific Ocean views. The event is sanctioned and certified, making the full marathon a suitable qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
Registered participants receive a long-sleeve technical-fabric shirt, a technical-fabric 1/4-zip pullover, a finisher's medal, and a reusable shopping bag. The venue hosts a Finish Line Festival featuring a DJ, refreshments, and a beer garden for participants aged 21 and older. Support stations are positioned at regular intervals along the courses to assist runners. Groups of 25 or more can qualify for a designated team meet-up space at the festival area. Additional weekend activities include a Kids Marathon Mile at LEGOLAND. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
