Fontana Days Run Half Marathon & 5K

Saturday, June 1, 2024 • Fontana, CA • Course Map

Recognized as “the world’s fastest half marathon course” by USA Track & Field back in 1985, the Fontana Days Run Half Marathon also includes a four-person team relay for the half marathon, a 5K Run/Race Walk, a Family Fitness Walk and a Children’s half-mile dash, and celebrates its 68th annual running in 2024.

One of California’s (and the country’s) oldest road races — its first running saw 200 runners cross the finish line back in 1955 — the race today brings out about 2,000 runners each year for this fast downhill course that starts at the Applewhite Campground in Lytle Creek just north of the city and finishes at Fontana’s City Hall.

From the starting line at Applewhite Campground, the race starts runners on the first six miles of the course, which feature all paved terrain that’s also a steep downhill run through the Lytle Creek community, which runs through the San Bernadino National Forest.

After making their way along South Lytle Creek Road for much of the first half of the race, runners then transition onto Sierra Road for the last seven miles of the race, changing from a steep downhill to a moderate to mostly gradual downhill run for the remainder of the race, all the way to the finish at City Hall at 8353 Sierra Avenue.

The elevation drop that runners will experience during the race is quite a drop — 2,125 feet overall during the race, from start to finish. And the race is indeed fast — the male record finishing time is 59 minutes, 22 seconds, while the female record finisher clocked in at 1 hour, 8 minutes and 38 seconds (both records were set in 1986).

No walking or race walking is permitted during the half marathon race — the 13.1-mile distance is for runners only — though runners who aren’t yet ready for the half marathon are encouraged to enter any of the event’s three other races for adults, or to join with three other runners and participate in the four-person team half marathon relay.

Organizers note that because the shuttle bus ride to the starting line can take as long as 45 minutes, runners are strongly encouraged to be at City Hall and ready to board the bus to the start by 5:00 AM.

Race Weather & Climate

Located about 55 miles east of nearby Los Angeles, the city of Fontana tends to experience moderately dry, warm weather conditions in the early weeks summer, with almost no precipitation to speak of. In June, record temperatures here have hit a low of 42 degrees (in 1962) and a high of 111 degrees (in 1961).

On race day (June 1), the average low is 56°F and the average high is 86°F.

Past Results

• 2022 Fontana Days Run Half Marathon Results
• 2019 Fontana Days Run Half Marathon Results
• 2018 Fontana Days Run Half Marathon Results
• 2017 Fontana Days Run Half Marathon Results
• 2016 Fontana Days Run Half Marathon Results
• 2015 Fontana Days Run Half Marathon Results
• 2014 Fontana Days Run Half Marathon Results
• 2013 Fontana Days Run Half Marathon Results
• 2012 Fontana Days Run Half Marathon Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Fontana Days Run Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

• 7:00 AM – half marathon
• 7:45 AM – 5K

Fees

See race website

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of the Fontana Days Run Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at RaceWire.com here.

Official Race Website

fontana.org • Facebook page

Comments

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See more races in: June, California