By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–The 47th annual America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K welcomed over 5,600 participants national and international Sunday morning.
Participants traveled from 46 states, and from 20 countries including Belgium to participate in the America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K, which features San Diego’s longest-running half marathon.
Yohei Ikeda, the men’s half marathon champion and overall first-place finisher, completed the 13.1 miles in 1:04:14, followed by the men’s half marathon second-place finisher, Isaiah Labra. Kellen Blumburg took the third-place spot for the men’s half marathon. The women’s half marathon course was led by Sarah Czuprynski, who finished 1:16:52. Second and third-place finishers for the women’s half marathon were Ariane Hendrix and Alaina Skelley. Nia Dancey claimed first in the non-binary division at 2:11:43, followed by Ryan Legaspi and Carter Spear.
The men’s 5K division was led by Mauro Viel, who finished with 17:26, followed by second and third-place finishers, Craig Gerulski and Jason San Jose. Eva Lozano led the women’s division with a time of 18:37. Kelli Khuong and Michelle Minakais came in shortly after to claim second and third place in the women’s 5K. Raine Zimmerer took first place in the non-binary division with a time of 3904, followed by second-place finisher Julie Gonzalez Samperio.
America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K is the third and final race of the In Motion Events SoCal Triple Crown race series, which also includes the Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K and the GOVX San Diego Half Marathon and 5K. Athletes who participate in each race in the same calendar year are awarded a SoCal Triple Crown medal to celebrate their accomplishment of completing the race series. Over 1,200 runners completed the 2024 SoCal Triple Crown at this year’s America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K.
The Half Marathon took participants on a scenic tour of San Diego. The race started at the Cabrillo National Monument before winding its way to Balboa Park. Along the way, runners enjoy some of the best sights in San Diego. The 5K course provided a flat and fast loop within iconic Balboa Park. With its early start time, race day provided participants the unique opportunity to enjoy the sun rising over San Diego, and complete the race during cooler temperatures. The day was wrapped with the Finish Line Festival in Balboa Park, where participants and spectators celebrate the day’s victories. The festival included a DJ, vendor booths, refreshments, and the Ballast Point beer garden for participants aged 21 and older with proper ID.
This year’s America’s Finest City Half Marathon and 5K returned after the 2023 event was canceled on race eve due to a rescinded permit after the governor of California declared a state of emergency ahead of the unexpected impact of Hurricane Hilary. The race offered those affected by the cancellation an opportunity to defer their entry to this year’s event, and over 2,000 participants accepted the offer.
