Rock 'n' Roll San Diego
The Lowdown
The Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon builds on decades of San Diego running tradition as part of the well-known Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series. Launched to bring music, entertainment, and big-city racing together, the race has become a signature West Coast event that draws both elite and recreational runners from around the world. The marathon has historically been a USATF-certified course and a Boston Marathon qualifying event, making it attractive to athletes chasing fast times and BQ standards. The course showcases San Diego’s most scenic and iconic stretches — passing through downtown, along the Embarcadero, offering waterfront views, and including stretches near Coronado and Balboa Park depending on the year’s exact routing — with a mix of flat, fast sections and gentle rolling areas. Bands and live entertainment at mile markers create a festive, supportive atmosphere, while plentiful aid stations and enthusiastic local spectators help make the runner experience memorable. Note that while the race is USATF-certified and BQ-eligible, it is not currently a World Athletics label race.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
Registration Now Open
May 30, 2026Registration for Rock 'n' Roll San Diego is now open. (Page indicates 'Registration Now Open' on the event homepage.)
Rock ‘n’ Roll Race Weekend Giveaway
Oct 8, 2025Promotional drawing begins 2025-10-08 (9:00 AM ET) and ends 2025-12-31 (11:59 PM ET). Prize includes 1 race entry to a 2026 North America Rock 'n' Roll event of the winner's choice, a 2-night stay, lululemon duffle bag, and Wahoo Fitness ELEMENT RIVAL GPS watch. (Details and official rules available via the event site popup/modal.)
This race qualifies for the Boston Marathon
Race Weekend
Other distances available
Notable Landmarks
Balboa Park
Runners pass through the park’s cultural corridor with museums, gardens, and the iconic Botanical Building
Gaslamp Quarter
Historic downtown district lined with Victorian architecture, restaurants, and cheering crowds
Embarcadero / USS Midway Museum
Scenic waterfront stretch beside the bay with views of the aircraft carrier museum
Seaport Village
Waterfront shopping and dining area offering bayfront views and spectator vantage points
Mission Bay Park
Flat, fast miles along the bay with ocean vistas and parkland pathways
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Historic neighborhood showcasing early California history and adobe buildings
Point Loma / Cabrillo National Monument
Coastal climb and panoramic views of San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean
San Diego, CA, United States
US
Based on nearby accommodations
The race offers a booking portal with partner hotel options
- Open to all runners meeting minimum age; wheelchair athletes allowed; strollers prohibited in marathon distance.
- Government-issued photo ID for bib pickup. No medical certificate required.
- Online registration via race website; charity entries; tour operator entries; expo registration (if not sold out).
Cancellation & Refunds
Policy details
No refunds. Deferral allowed for a fee (typically $45–$75) depending on date. Bib transfers usually allowed for a fee until a deadline.
Free finisher photos, live tracking via the Rock ’n’ Roll app, well-organized expo, many aid stations.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.