I cannot tell enough people about this race! I genuinely love everything about it. Packet pick up is a breeze at the coolest expo and parking at the expo and at the event is no problem.
It’s a great course. My favorite way to describe it is that it is a very nice varied tour of San Diego. You get to run through so many different areas and experience the flair each neighborhood has to offer. The start is convienient and easy to get to and the finish is easy to leave after the post race party. Even with the change from Petco to Gaslamp it was seamless.
Finishing DOWN 6th street is fantastic. I’ve been in too many races now where you end up running up 6th street at the end and that is TORTURE. The Washington st hill is an amazing but reasonable challenge to keep things interesting, while the rest of the course is nice and flat. Its a great course for beginners and elites alike. (It was my first half!)
The in race pit stops are amazing. Each water station and portopotty has a sign saying how far til the next one. I feel like that REALLY helps with en route congestion, plus its just nice to know!
The course is well marked and very active. People are able to cheer from pretty much everywhere. There is no back and forth and it is NOT boring. Best of all is the epic finish downtown. Medals from military? AWESOME! The party is for everyone! The first year there were tickets for sale and the second year it was free for all and that made it extra sweet.
I will continue to run this race every year as long as I’m running. It has very easily become “my” race. Very impressive for a brand new event. Well Done San Diego Half. Well done!