Saturday, November 19, 2016 • San Diego, CA • Course Map
Held in San Diego, the USA Half Marathon Invitational is a unique half marathon event in that there is a time qualification required to enter. Following on the heels of big name marathons like the Boston Marathon and more recently, early entry to the NYC Marathon and Chicago Marathon, the time qualification makes this event stand out from the crowd.
Though the qualifications are far less stringent than the marathon counterparts listed above, the standards are rigorous enough for recreational runners.
11 age categories within each gender and 2 separate divisions range the qualifying times from 1:10:00 to 2:30:00. Those looking to enter will need to qualify at a previous race and submit their time when registering. Runners use their age on race day to determine their qualifying time.
The course of the USA Half Marathon Invitational is a point-to-point course that makes a large loop around downtown San Diego. The first section of the course features a series of rolling hills with a total gain of 365’. However, the second half of the course is nearly pancake flat as runners loop around the seaside airport.
Runners begin at 5th Avenue and B Street in downtown San Jose and the course heads west. By the first mile marker, the course reaches Balboa Park, home of the world famous San Diego Zoo and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Racers make their way through the park along Pershing Drive and exit onto Mississippi Street.
After reaching mile marker 3, the course heads left onto University Avenue where runners travel through the neighborhood of Hillcrest. Once reaching the Interstate, the course travels parallel along San Diego Avenue until crossing over on Old Town Avenue.
On the other side of the interstate, runners will find the course flattens significantly as they make their way along Frontage Road and Barnett Avenue. Just after mile marker 9, racers will enjoy scenic views of NTC park and the Liberty Station neighborhood.
The final 5K takes runners across North Harbor Drive where they will race past Spanish Landing Park, the San Diego Airport, and the San Diego Bay. The kick to the finish begins when Waterfront Park comes into view and runners make their way to the finish line.
All finishers will receive a medal. The top three overall male and female finishers will receive awards as well as the top three in each age group category.
Race Weather & Climate
San Diego enjoys mild, sunny weather throughout the year. Average November temperatures range from 54°F as the low and 69°F as the high. San Diego is a borderline arid climate and only 1 inch of rain falls on average in November.
On race day (Nov. 19), the average low is 52ºF and the average high is 69ºF.
Past Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the USA Half Marathon Invitational here.
Starting Time
6:00 AM
Fees
See race website
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2016 running of the USA Half Marathon Invitational, register online at Events.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
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