San Diego Half Marathon Recap

When people ask me what my favorite local race is, I never hesitate to say the San Diego Half Marathon.  So it’s no surprise that I was back to run it for my fourth year in a row.  Because I’ve run this race before and not much has changed about it, I’m going to talk about the things I love about it and a couple things I think can be improved. So what do I love about the San Diego Half Marathon?

#FlatJenn was ready

Legacy Perks

Unlike some races that consider you a legacy runner if you’ve run every year, the San Diego Half considers your legacy status based on consecutive years run.  And you get extra perks from year 3 and up.  Since this was my fourth year, I received a ¾ zip long sleeve tech shirt.  These legacy perks definitely encourage me to come back each year.

Source: www.sdhalfmarathon.com

Runner Perks

The legacy runners aren’t the only ones who get perks with this race.  Not only does every runner get a tech tee and medal, but this year we also got one ticket a San Diego Padres game and a ticket for the USS Midway Museum.  How awesome is that?!  This year’s medal was a little different than previous years and started a four year series of medals that complete the course map once you earn all four—I know I’ll be back! (each medal is pretty awesome on it’s own too!)  There are also several restaurants around the downtown area that offer $1 pint beers and deals on brunch for runners—it’s a win-win for everyone!

Source: www.sdhalfmarathon.com

Communication

From the time you register to race day, the communication is on point.  Every question is answered before you realized you have it.  I even received a text reminding me to change my clocks since the race always falls on the weekend of Day Light Savings time. 

The Course

The course for the San Diego Half takes us through some of my favorite places to run in San Diego and if I’m being honest, I don’t completely hate the hill at mile 9.  (And how awesome is November Project San Diego who runs runners up the hill, encouraging them and supporting them)  This year’s race brought back something that hasn’t happened since it’s first year and that was the finish inside Petco Park.  I love our local baseball stadium and it was fun to run into the park, shown on the big screen with supporters in the stands cheering for you.  After I finished, I hung out for a bit catching up with friends, taking fun pics and watching other runners finish.

Source: www.sdhalfmarathon.com

The Aide Stations and Volunteers

I have never run this race and thought afterwards, “I wish they had one or two more aide stations.”  Not only do they have enough aide stations, there are amazing volunteers handing out the electrolytes and water along with words of encouragement.  The best part of the stations—they have signs telling you when the next aide stations and restroom would be available, for example you next water stop might not be for two more miles.  In areas of the course that are a bit harder for spectators to get to, they have local high school cheer groups and bands for entertainment.  It feels like there is someone cheering you on for the entire 13.1 miles.  I also like that they have medical tents as well as Race Guards on the course—after the half I ran last year when I needed medical attention, I am now always grateful to see this.  I hope I never need them again, but I feel better knowing that they’re there. 

The People

Running a race where you live means you’ll usually see a few people you know.  But this race (as well as the Rock n Roll San Diego race in June) seems to bring out so many of my local runner friends.  I love being able to see so many of them in one day, whether they were out running the race, on the course spectating or just happen to be running in the area. 

  

Runners make the best friends.

 

With so much that I love about this race, it really is hard for me to come up with things I think need improving.  The only thing that really comes to mind is the expo—in my opinion, it’s a little small and a little chaotic to get to.  Although the location is nice, having to find parking in a touristy part of San Diego can sometimes be difficult.  The long, narrow space of the Broadway Pier makes some of the booths harder to access especially if it’s a busy time at the expo.  For these reasons, I usually grab my bib and shirt, bypassing the booths all together.  But really in the big picture, if the expo is the only thing I don’t love about a race, then it’s a good race. 

Fun photo spots inside Petco Park

Without a doubt, I will be back to run this race next year.  Do you have a race you love running every year?

Until next time, happy running.

Jenn13.1