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Rock 'n' Roll San Diego

June 6, 2027 · 8:00 AMSan Diego, CA, United States

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Race Day

63°F

57–72°F · Feels mild

Total elevation gain

820ft

Moderate rolling hills · Net elevation change +98 ft

Participants

4,000

Medium-sized race

Crowd Rating

6/ 10

Good crowd energy

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.

Course Highlights: 01Balboa Park – Runners pass through the park's cultural corridor with museums, gardens, and the iconic Botanical Building
02Gaslamp Quarter – Historic downtown district lined with Victorian architecture, restaurants, and cheering crowds
03Embarcadero / USS Midway Museum – Scenic waterfront stretch beside the bay with views of the aircraft carrier museum
04Seaport Village – Waterfront shopping and dining area offering bayfront views and spectator vantage points
05Mission Bay Park – Flat, fast miles along the bay with ocean vistas and parkland pathways
06Old Town San Diego State Historic Park – Historic neighborhood showcasing early California history and adobe buildings
07Point Loma / Cabrillo National Monument – Coastal climb and panoramic views of San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean
Also on this race weekend: Half marathon · 5K
Time Limit: 7 hours
Boston Qualifier: This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.

Minimum Age: 18 years
Entry Methods: Online registration via race website; charity entries; tour operator entries; expo registration (if not sold out).
Eligibility: Open to all runners meeting minimum age; wheelchair athletes allowed; strollers prohibited in marathon distance.
Required Documents: Government-issued photo ID for bib pickup. No medical certificate required.
Cancellation & Refund Policy: No refunds. Deferral allowed for a fee (typically $45–$75) depending on date. Bib transfers usually allowed for a fee until a deadline.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, moderate weather Difficulty Analyzer820ft gain, 63°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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