What running races are coming up in San Diego (5Ks, the 8 Miler, the 50 Miler and more)?
Next up: Thanksgiving turkey trots (Nov. 26), the Holiday Half (Dec. 19), the San Diego 50 (Jan. 9), Carlsbad Marathon (Jan. 17), Carlsbad 5000 (Apr. 4) and Rock 'n' Roll (June 5–6, 2027).
- Next 5Ks
- Nov. 26
- 50 Miler
- Jan. 9, 2027
- Rock 'n' Roll
- June 6, 2027
- 8 Miler cap
- 2,000
Thanksgiving turkey trots
San Pasqual Valley
Marathon; half and 5K too
Oldest race in SD
The short version
- The San Diego 50 & Trail Runs is Jan. 9, 2027 in the San Pasqual Valley; the 50-miler costs $165.30 with a 14-hour cutoff.
- Carlsbad Marathon, Half & 5K runs Jan. 17, 2027, its 36th year.
- The Carlsbad 5000 is listed for Sunday, April 4, 2027.
- Rock 'n' Roll San Diego is June 5–6, 2027, with the marathon on Sunday, June 6.
- The Balboa Park 8 Miler, run since 1955, is held in early August and caps entry at 2,000.
San Diego's weather makes it one of the busiest running towns in the country, and winter is prime season. Here are the established races people search for most, in date order, with what each one is known for. Dates come from race listings; always confirm on the organizer's page before you book travel.
The big races through the year
Peak race season: cool, dry mornings (November to February)
- 1NovTurkey trots
- 2JanSD 50 · Carlsbad Marathon
- 3AprCarlsbad 5000
- 4MayLa Jolla Half
- 5JunRock 'n' Roll
- 6AugBalboa Park 8 Miler
Dates from organizer and race-calendar listings checked Nov. 8, 2026.
| Date | Race | Distances | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov. 26, 2026 | Thanksgiving turkey trots (Father Joe's, Encinitas, Oceanside) | 5K and more | Balboa Park, Encinitas, Oceanside |
| Sat, Dec. 12, 2026 | San Diego Santa Run | Fun run | San Diego |
| Sat, Dec. 19, 2026 | San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K | Half, 5K | North County coast |
| Sat, Jan. 9, 2027 | San Diego 50 & Trail Runs | 50 mi, trail marathon, half, 10 mi, 5 mi, 5K, kids' mile | San Pasqual Valley, Escondido |
| Sun, Jan. 17, 2027 | Carlsbad Marathon, Half & 5K | Marathon, half, 5K | Carlsbad |
| Sun, Feb. 14, 2027 | Coronado Valentine's Day 10K & 5K | 10K, 5K, 1 mi | Coronado |
| Sat, Feb. 27, 2027 | Women's Half Marathon San Diego | Half, 10K, 5K | San Diego |
| Sun, Apr. 4, 2027 | Carlsbad 5000 | 5K heats by age | Carlsbad Village |
| Sat, May 15, 2027 | La Jolla Half Marathon, 10K & 5K | Half, 10K, 5K | Del Mar to La Jolla |
| June 5–6, 2027 | Rock 'n' Roll San Diego | Marathon, half, 5K | Balboa Park start |
| Early Aug. 2027 | Balboa Park 8 Miler | 8 mi | Pan American Plaza |
Thu, Nov. 26, 2026
- Race
- Thanksgiving turkey trots (Father Joe's, Encinitas, Oceanside)
- Distances
- 5K and more
- Where
- Balboa Park, Encinitas, Oceanside
Sat, Dec. 12, 2026
- Race
- San Diego Santa Run
- Distances
- Fun run
- Where
- San Diego
Sat, Dec. 19, 2026
- Race
- San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K
- Distances
- Half, 5K
- Where
- North County coast
Sat, Jan. 9, 2027
- Race
- San Diego 50 & Trail Runs
- Distances
- 50 mi, trail marathon, half, 10 mi, 5 mi, 5K, kids' mile
- Where
- San Pasqual Valley, Escondido
Sun, Jan. 17, 2027
- Race
- Carlsbad Marathon, Half & 5K
- Distances
- Marathon, half, 5K
- Where
- Carlsbad
Sun, Feb. 14, 2027
- Race
- Coronado Valentine's Day 10K & 5K
- Distances
- 10K, 5K, 1 mi
- Where
- Coronado
Sat, Feb. 27, 2027
- Race
- Women's Half Marathon San Diego
- Distances
- Half, 10K, 5K
- Where
- San Diego
Sun, Apr. 4, 2027
- Race
- Carlsbad 5000
- Distances
- 5K heats by age
- Where
- Carlsbad Village
Sat, May 15, 2027
- Race
- La Jolla Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
- Distances
- Half, 10K, 5K
- Where
- Del Mar to La Jolla
June 5–6, 2027
- Race
- Rock 'n' Roll San Diego
- Distances
- Marathon, half, 5K
- Where
- Balboa Park start
Early Aug. 2027
- Race
- Balboa Park 8 Miler
- Distances
- 8 mi
- Where
- Pan American Plaza
Compiled from FindTheRun, RunGuides, Let's Do This, RunSignup and the City of San Diego events page, checked Nov. 8, 2026.
The San Diego 8 Miler
The Balboa Park 8 Miler is run by the San Diego Track Club and dates to 1955, which makes it the city's longest continuously run race. It's the only race that tours the whole park, starting and finishing at Pan American Plaza near the Air & Space Museum. Entry is capped at 2,000 and it sells out; 2025 entry was listed at $75 to $80. The 2026 race was Saturday, Aug. 1, so expect early August again in 2027.
The San Diego 50 Miler
The San Diego 50 & Trail Runs is a trail festival on the valley floor and up Raptor Ridge in the San Pasqual Valley, near the Wild Animal Park. The 50-miler starts at 6 a.m., costs $165.30 with fees, and has a 14-hour cutoff, with pacers allowed for the last 7 miles. Shorter options run down to a stroller 5K and a kids' mile. It's cupless, so bring your own bottle. Registration for the 50 closes Dec. 29, 2026.
Finding a 5K this month
Small charity 5Ks happen nearly every weekend in Balboa Park, Mission Bay and the Coronado Strand. For Thanksgiving, see our turkey trot guide. Free weekly options include parkrun-style community runs and brewery run clubs.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 8, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Event dates, times and prices are set by the organizers and can change or sell out. Confirm with the organizer's own page before you plan around them.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
KEEP READING
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- PrimarySan Diego 50 & Trail Runs
RunSignup / Elevation Culture · Checked Nov. 8, 2026
Jan. 9, 2027; 50M price, cutoff, pacers, registration close
City of San Diego
San Diego Track Club, longest-running tradition
FindTheRun · 2026
Aug. 1, 2026; started 1955; 2,000 cap; other race dates
- DataCarlsbad 5000
FindTheRun
April 4, 2027 and other listed dates
FindARace
June 5–6, 2027; price range
My Mind Is Racing
Jan. 17, 2027, 36th annual
KPBS · 2025
$75–$80 entry in 2025