By Gina Yarbrough
Carlsbad, CA–The 35th annual Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K returned Sunday, drawing nearly 8,000 runners to the Southern California coast for a day of winter racing under clear, warm skies.
All three races began at The Shoppes at Carlsbad and showcased sweeping oceanfront views. The full marathon featured an 18-mile stretch along the Pacific Ocean, while the half marathon highlighted eight miles of beachfront. The 5K followed a scenic out-and-back route past the Buena Vista Lagoon.
In the marathon, San Diego resident Jose Herrera captured the men’s title and overall victory in 2:36:47. Carlsbad’s Alex Drozd placed second, followed by Aric Reza in third. Mckaylie Caesar led the women’s field, finishing in 2:52:21, with Macy Putman and Kristen Maxwell taking second and third.
Amelio Chio won the men’s half marathon in 1:07:49, ahead of Xavier Smith and Moises Marquez. San Diego resident Katelyn Yunker topped the women’s half marathon division in 1:20:53, followed by Taylor Thompson and fellow San Diegan Libby Bowling.
In the 5K, returning champion Eddie Ramos secured his fifth consecutive Carlsbad victory with a time of 15:30. Stefanie Cullingford won the women’s race in 17:52.
“This weekend celebrates the beauty of running and of the City of Carlsbad while showcasing the best of this coastal community,” said Christine Adams, co-owner and CEO of In Motion Events, the race producer. She credited partners, volunteers and community members for sustaining the event’s atmosphere year after year.
The race received a Letter of Recognition from the California Secretary of State, read by Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel at the half marathon start line before she joined participants in the race.
The Carlsbad event is part of In Motion Events’ SoCal Triple Crown race series, which also includes the GOVX San Diego Half Marathon and 5K in March and the America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K in August. Athletes who complete all three events in a calendar year earn a commemorative medal. More than 1,330 runners finished the series last year, with participation expected to grow in 2026.
More than 180 runners also took on the Double Down Challenge, completing both the 5K and half marathon for a combined 16.2 miles and earning three medals.
The weekend concluded with the Kids Marathon Mile at Legoland California Resort, where more than 1,600 young participants ran prior to the park’s opening — a 60 percent increase in registration. A portion of proceeds from the children’s event benefited Merlin’s Magic Wand, the race’s official charity partner.
