La Jolla Half Marathon & La Jolla Shores 5K

The 2024 La Jolla Half Marathon & La Jolla Shores 5K will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The La Jolla Half Marathon boasts a visually striking point-to-point race with a scenic coastal course.

Starting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, participants journey through a picturesque route, facing a challenging climb to the summit of Torrey Pines State Park. The course then winds through Torrey Pines mesa, descends through residential La Jolla Shores, and finishes at La Jolla Cove. Completion of the course within 3.5 hours is mandatory, maintaining a pace of 16 minutes per mile or faster.

For those seeking a shorter challenge, the La Jolla Shores 5K offers a downhill course and showcases the scenic views of the last 3.1 miles of the La Jolla half marathon. Beginning at the intersection of La Jolla Shores Drive and Horizon Way, it concludes at Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Complete the 5K within 1 hour, maintaining a pace of 19:21 minutes per mile or faster.

Both races kick off at 6:30 am, and participants need to be on the start line by 6:00 am. After crossing the finish line, runners receive a medal, bottled water, a banana, a protein bar, chocolate milk, and an optional food bag. The fenced-in finish line area is exclusive to participants for safety, with no entry allowed for family and friends. Participants aged 21 and above, displaying their bib number and valid ID, can enjoy a complimentary post-race beer in the Ballast Point beer garden at the Finish Line Festival.

Expo and Packet Pickup

The Expo & Packet Pickup for the La Jolla Half Marathon & 5K offers more than just bibs, timing tags, and race shirts. Explore demos, merchandise from various vendors, and the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla booth, where you can learn about the organization and buy tickets for their events. Enjoy free treats, shop for gear, and bring your friends and family—it’s open to the public!

If you can’t make it to the expo, authorize someone with a copy of your photo ID to pick up your items.

Friday, May 17
11:00 am – Expo & Packet Pickup Opens
7:00 pm – Expo & Packet Pickup closes
Location – Ellen Browning Scripps Park: 1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Remember, there’s a $25 fee for bib pick-up at the Del Mar Racetrack on race day, payable by cash or credit card. Race day bib pick-up is from 5:15 am to 6:30 am, and shirts can be picked up at the finish line.

La Jolla Half Marathon & La Jolla Shores 5K Course Map

Race Shuttles:

Pre-Event: Complimentary buses transport 5K runners from La Jolla Cove finish to the Shores 5K start (La Jolla Shores Drive and Horizon Way) from 5:30 to 6:00 am. A food truck at La Jolla Cove sells coffee and breakfast items.

Post-Event: No shuttles from the 5K finish to the start.

Parking

For Expo parking, free on-street spaces are available south of Prospect Street but are limited near the Pacific Ocean. Paid parking is in underground garages on/near Prospect Street.

Race parking is in the dirt lot across from the Fairground’s entrance; follow personnel directions. Del Mar Racetrack has free parking, but expect delays. Arrive by 6:00 am; no access to race parking between 6:16 and 7:00 am.

If dropped off, do so inside the participant parking area; follow personnel to the unpaved lot for passenger drop-off at the tunnel entrance—avoid drop-off on Jimmie Durante Boulevard to prevent tickets.

Registration

To register, visit the official website of La Jolla Half Marathon & La Jolla Shores 5K. The registration fees are as follows:

Half Marathon $129
5K $54

Upon registration, participants in both the half marathon and 5K will be entitled to the following:

• A specially designed finisher medal
• Custom dry tech shirt
• Runner swag bag
• Complimentary beer in the post-race beer garden
• Finisher food bag stocked with refueling snacks at the finish line
• Access to the finish line festival featuring music, food, vendors, refreshments, and more!