Thanks to our just-about-perfect weather conditions all year long, San Diego is a great place to train for and participate in varying distances to test your skills and attempt a distance you may have never thought possible. From 5Ks to 10Ks, half- and full marathons, runners can find every type of race to work on a PR.

Below are 10 San Diego road races with distances up to 26.2 miles going on throughout the year:

San Diego 5K Runs

Carlsbad 5000

Date: April 6 | Distance: 3.1 mi. | Cost: $45

This 5K race through downtown Carlsbad and along the ocean is known as the world’s fastest because many world records have been set there. The course is fast and there are tons of spectators to give you a motivational push.

San Diego Beach & Bay

Date: April 12 | Distance: 3.1 mi. | Cost: $40

This flat and fast 5K around Fiesta Island is helpful for runners to get ready for longer distances in a few months. The course also has a half marathon and 10K option if you’re ready for a longer distance, but no need to push it.

San Diego 10K Runs & Under

Navy Bay Bridge Run

Date: May 19 | Distance(s): 4 mi.

May brings you to a slightly longer distance–4 miles–and gives you the unique chance to run up and over the Coronado Bridge. It’s a challenge, because the bridge is steeper than it looks, but the Navy band plays at the top to motivate you. Plus, the views can’t be beat.

Gaslamp Run 10K

Date: Aug 4 | Distance: 6.1 mi | Cost: $49

If you’re ready to race longer distances, try this 10K course around downtown San Diego. The course is not totally flat and includes some twists and turns, so be ready for an extra challenge.

Courtesy of Balboa 8 Miler

San Diego Half Marathons & Under

Crown City Classic

Date: July 4 | Distance: 7.4 mi | Cost: $59

This annual 4th of July race in Coronado gives you the opportunity to race another 5K, or the very unusual 12K distance (or about 7.4 miles…get it?) Stick around after the race for the island’s parade and 4th of July festival.

Balboa Park 8 Miler

Date: August 5 | Distance: 8 mi. | $65

This race started by San Diego Track Club in 1955 is now one of the oldest races in the United States. It gives you a chance to try a longer distance, and takes you through a scenic course around Balboa Park.

America’s Finest City Half Marathon

Date: August 18 | Distance: 13.1 mi. | Cost: $149

If your running has been going well and you’re ready for a big challenge, try this beautifully scenic half marathon that starts at Cabrillo Point and ends in Balboa Park. There are some serious uphills and downhills along the way, but the historic course makes it worthwhile.

Pacific Beach Half Marathon

Date: October 5 | Distance: 13.1 mi. | Cost: $100

If you don’t want the hills in the AFC Half Marathon, or need a little more time to train, this race around Mission Bay is a great option. It’s flat and fast, and the cool ocean breezes should help with San Diego’s notoriously hot fall weather.

San Diego Marathons

Kit Carson Marathon

Date: November 17 | Distance: 26.2 mi. | Cost: $140-$150

This low-key race in Escondido takes you on a gentle rolling hills course as you run laps around the park. You can compete and run the full marathon yourself, or break it up among a team of runners to compete as a relay race.

Carlsbad Marathon

Date: January 19 | Distance: 26.2 mi. | Cost: $139

This winter marathon has perfect weather–cool and sunny, usually–and a beautiful ocean course to help you pass the miles enjoyably—as much as you can during 26.2 miles. The race is also a Boston Marathon qualifier and a great course to set new PR.

San Diego Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon

Date: June 1 | Distance: 26.2 mi. | Cost: $103

The San Diego Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon is one of the city’s most anticipated running events and among its most challenging. The race features a 5K, half marathon, or a full 26.2-mile course through the streets of downtown San Diego. The full marathon kicks off on Sixth Avenue, adjacent to Balboa Park, and winds through Mission Valley along the San Diego River, ultimately finishing at Ash Street in Little Italy. Each year, the event attracts nearly 30,000 runners from across the US.

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Recovery: New for runners!

You might want to take up running just to get this deal. Karma Relaxation Spa in Hillcrest has created a Runner Package ($40) consisting of reflexology (30 minutes), upper body massage (30 minutes, clothes on), and stretching (15 minutes). Talk about a reward at the finish line. 3969 First Avenue

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Recovery: New for runners!

You might want to take up running just to get this deal. Karma Relaxation Spa in Hillcrest has created a Runner Package ($40) consisting of reflexology (30 minutes), upper body massage (30 minutes, clothes on), and stretching (15 minutes). Talk about a reward at the finish line. 3969 First Avenue

The post Where to Run This Month appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

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Josh Cox

You grew up in Rancho San Diego. Favorite SD running route? I love to start in Cardiff, go south along the coast, through Torrey Pines to the Glider Port, then back to Cardiff.

You are the current American record-holder for the 50K (31-mile ultramarathon). I broke it twice, in 2009 (2:47), and in 2011 (2:43). The second time, I missed the world record by seven seconds. That’s two tenths of a second per mile. My coach said, “You have the second-fastest time in history, you have to be happy about this.”

What’s it like to win a marathon, which you’ve done more than once? It’s like getting a diploma—once you run a race, no one can take it from you. When you set a record, you’re beating all the people on all the days in history. But records are on loan. Titles are special because they are forever—you’re always the champion of that race for that year.

Why has Boston always been significant to runners? Marathon Monday is Patriots Day, a regional holiday. For a few days, Boston becomes the center of the running universe. In order to run, you have to get a Boston Qualifier. People make a pilgrimage. It’s their Olympics.

What was it like reporting from Boston last year? I was about to do the postrace show. I was in Copley Square, just past the finish line, when I heard a massive, deafening boom. It was like slow motion. People were on the ground. There was smoke in the air and police telling everyone to get back from the finish. They didn’t know if there would be more explosions. The network was down and I couldn’t call my wife. It was the worse thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life.

How do you think the bombing changed things? Everyone wants to participate. Instead of limiting it to 27,000 runners, they increased the field size to 36,000. Still, a lot of my elite athlete friends can’t get in. This week, the Boston Athletic Association sent out a no-bags policy for the race. Boston went to great lengths last year. I saw 10 bomb-sniffing dogs before it ever happened. But Boylston Street is a crowded dance floor and 26.2 miles is a lot of real estate. Everyone has to be the eyes and ears.

Advice for runners? There’s no luck and no short cuts. You just have to put in the work. Control the controllables. Competitive runners can’t control how much talent we possess, but we do control our alarm clocks.

What would you say to beginners? Most people give up before the initial two to three weeks, before their body adapts. They’re thinking about the pain. You just have to get fit. Boston is a reminder that you get one shot and one body to do it in.

Watch Josh on the Universal Sports Network on April 21 starting at 5:30 a.m. PT, on the rebroadcast at 5 p.m., or live.

The post Josh Cox Looks Ahead to the 118th Boston Marathon appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Josh Cox

You grew up in Rancho San Diego. Favorite SD running route? I love to start in Cardiff, go south along the coast, through Torrey Pines to the Glider Port, then back to Cardiff.

You are the current American record-holder for the 50K (31-mile ultramarathon). I broke it twice, in 2009 (2:47), and in 2011 (2:43). The second time, I missed the world record by seven seconds. That’s two tenths of a second per mile. My coach said, “You have the second-fastest time in history, you have to be happy about this.”

What’s it like to win a marathon, which you’ve done more than once? It’s like getting a diploma—once you run a race, no one can take it from you. When you set a record, you’re beating all the people on all the days in history. But records are on loan. Titles are special because they are forever—you’re always the champion of that race for that year.

Why has Boston always been significant to runners? Marathon Monday is Patriots Day, a regional holiday. For a few days, Boston becomes the center of the running universe. In order to run, you have to get a Boston Qualifier. People make a pilgrimage. It’s their Olympics.

What was it like reporting from Boston last year? I was about to do the postrace show. I was in Copley Square, just past the finish line, when I heard a massive, deafening boom. It was like slow motion. People were on the ground. There was smoke in the air and police telling everyone to get back from the finish. They didn’t know if there would be more explosions. The network was down and I couldn’t call my wife. It was the worse thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life.

How do you think the bombing changed things? Everyone wants to participate. Instead of limiting it to 27,000 runners, they increased the field size to 36,000. Still, a lot of my elite athlete friends can’t get in. This week, the Boston Athletic Association sent out a no-bags policy for the race. Boston went to great lengths last year. I saw 10 bomb-sniffing dogs before it ever happened. But Boylston Street is a crowded dance floor and 26.2 miles is a lot of real estate. Everyone has to be the eyes and ears.

Advice for runners? There’s no luck and no short cuts. You just have to put in the work. Control the controllables. Competitive runners can’t control how much talent we possess, but we do control our alarm clocks.

What would you say to beginners? Most people give up before the initial two to three weeks, before their body adapts. They’re thinking about the pain. You just have to get fit. Boston is a reminder that you get one shot and one body to do it in.

Watch Josh on the Universal Sports Network on April 21 starting at 5:30 a.m. PT, on the rebroadcast at 5 p.m., or live.

The post Josh Cox Looks Ahead to the 118th Boston Marathon appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

La Jolla Half Marathon

La Jolla Half Marathon

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