The Carlsbad Half Marathon course follows an out-and-back route that starts and finishes at the Plaza Camino Real shopping center between Carlsbad and Oceanside, and it’s considered the fastest of its kind in the San Diego area and one of the fastest half marathon races anywhere. The first couple of miles take runners through Carlsbad’s city streets, on the way to Highway 101 (Carlsbad Boulevard), which begins a long straightaway that takes runners along the Pacific shoreline. After runners make the turnaround at Breakwater Road, they retrace their steps all the way back to Plaza Camino Real for the race finish.
(MORE: Carlsbad Half Marathon event details)