California > America's Finest City Half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk
San Diego, CA • Sunday, August 19, 2012 • Course Map
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Bright and sunny San Diego, famous for its year-round moderate temperatures and virtually cloudless skies, is the setting for the America's Finest City Half Marathon & 5K, a point-to-point road race that takes runners from the majestic views of the historic Cabrillo National Monument overlooking the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay to the green, expansive meadows of Balboa Park, whose 1,200 acres are home to 15 museums including the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
The course for the race takes runners entirely on paved surfaces through city streets, starting at the Cabrillo Monument at 7:00 AM. From there, the course takes runners down Cabrillo Memorial Drive through the Fort Rosencras National Cemetery, through an area that is one of the nation's oldest military outposts, dating back to the 1850s. Along this early stretch of the race, runners also pass the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which stood watch over the bay for nearly 40 years until it was retired in 1891 due to the point's constant fog, which obscured its light beacon. Today the lighthouse remains largely as it was in the 1880s, and adds to the point's authentic appeal.
Once runners descend the monument and Fort Rosencras area, the course next takes a turn through the Point Loma and La Playa neighborhoods, where spectators are usually out in droves to cheer on those running in the race, some even with hoses and sprinklers to cool everyone down. As it makes its way through these districts and into the Harbor Island area, there's usually plenty of distractions along the course to take runners' minds off their 13.1-mile trek, from cheerleaders and belly dancers to the celebrity sightings that have been reported in recent years, including Oprah Winfrey.
Along the middle stretch of the race, which takes runners along North Harbor Drive and over onto Harbor Island, the scenery changes as the course runs past San Diego's bayside international airport, giving runners plenty of views of the water and the planes coming in and taking off. Still flat and fast through these miles, the course unfolds all the way around the edge of the bay, turning away from the water at Ash Street and heading back into residential areas on the last couple of miles' approach to Balboa Park.
The last two-plus miles of the race, starting with the turn onto India Street and concluding with the finish line along Pan American Road inside the park, are mostly long, flat straightaways, which give runners a nice way to finish the course. Once inside the park, the scenery is part of the reward, as the course turns onto El Prado and then Pan American Road, for the finish at the intersection with President's Way, surrounded by the several museums runners pass on the way to cross the finish line.
More than 7,900 runners crossed the finish line in both races combined in 2011, including more than 6,700 finishers in the half marathon alone. The race organizers plan to limit the number of entrants in the 2012 half marathon to 8,000 -- and 1,700 for the 5K -- so runners thinking of taking part are encouraged to sign up early.
Race
Weather & Climate
Known for its year-round mild weather conditions, with the occasional fog and marine layer near the ocean, San Diego's weather is somewhat warmer in the summer than in the winter, though not by much. In August, local monthly temperatures average between 77°F and 67°F -- on the day of the race (Aug. 19), the average high is 77°F and the average low is 67°F -- while rainfall amounts are almost nonexistent, averaging less than a tenth of an inch during the month.
Course Map
View the race route map for the America's Finest City Half Marathon
Fees
$90 for the half marathon, if registered by April 19, 2012
$95 between April 20 - June 19
$100 from June 20 until the race sells out
Registration
To reserve your spot in the late summer 2012 running of San Diego's America's Finest City Half Marathon or 5K Run/Walk race, register online at Active.com.
Official Race Website
www.afchalf.com
Leave a Comment
Ever run in California's annual America's Finest City Half Marathon or 5K race? Share your impressions, stories and tips from the event.
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