By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–The 48th annual America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K is returning to San Diego on Aug. 17.
Over 1,500 runners are expected to complete the San Diego Foundation SoCal Triple Crown race series.
Those who accomplish the challenge will have completed any distance offered in three of In Motion Events’ keystone races within the same calendar year.
The series kicks off with the Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K in January, the GOVX San Diego Half Marathon and 5K in March, and concludes with the America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K.
Registration for America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K is open.
America’s Finest City Half Marathon offers participants a stunning tour of San Diego on foot. Starting at the Cabrillo National Monument before winding its way to Balboa Park, runners enjoy some of the best sights San Diego has to offer. The 5K course is a flat and fast loop within iconic Balboa Park. With its early start time, race day provides participants the unique opportunity to enjoy the sun rising over San Diego and complete the race during cooler temperatures.
Race weekend also features a one-day expo and packet pickup event on Aug. 16, where participants pick up their race packets and friends and family are invited to join and create inspirational race signs, take part in photo ops, and shop exciting products and services. Race weekend then concludes with the Finish Line Festival in Balboa Park. The festival will include a DJ, vendor booths, refreshments, and a Ballast Point beer garden for participants aged 21 and older with proper ID.
“America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K is a special race for us. While creating a way for locals and visitors to explore historical areas of our beautiful city, the race itself has become a piece of history as it stands as the oldest half marathon in San Diego,” said Christine Adams, CEO of In Motion Events. “When we created the SoCal Triple Crown race series, it was obvious that the AFC race was the perfect event to wrap up the series.”
The San Diego Foundation SoCal Triple Crown offers a trio of distinct race courses and scenery, highlighting notable areas of San Diego County. The unique challenge has attracted many athletes year after year, including more than 350 who are SoCal Triple Crown streakers, meaning they’ve completed the series at least two consecutive years.
Those who complete the series take home four medals, one for each race, and an additional medal for completing the San Diego Foundation SoCal Triple Crown. Race day will feature additional VIP benefits for 2025 San Diego Foundation SoCal Triple Crown finishers, including an exclusive San Diego Foundation SoCal Triple Crown tent with free snacks, beverages, and post-race recovery assets.
