Runners Prepare for this Weekend’s San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon

“If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.”
-Kathrine Switzer, first woman to run the Boston Marathon

Only .5% of the U.S. population has run a marathon. Running 26.2 miles requires more than training and muscle, it requires heart. One June 4, thousands of people will treck to San Diego to participate in the 20th annual Rock n Roll Marathon. The Rock n Roll is by far the biggest endurance sports event in San Diego. Runners from all over the world will make their way to San Diego to participate in the world renowned marathon that combines live entertainment with a 26.2 mile run. The event is expected to bring more than 30,000 runners and walkers to San Diego, in addition to tens of thousands of spectators, family and friends.

Each year, more athletes participate in Rock ‘n’ Roll running events than any other running series in the United States. What started as a simple idea in 1998 – a marathon with bands along the course celebrating each participant – soon transformed the running landscape igniting the second running boom.

While entertainment and the energy of a festival weekend define the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series experience, runners have also raised raised more than $310 million for participating charities throughout the life of this series. This year, the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon will be donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude’s is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because the only thing a family should have to worry about is helping their child live.

The event weekends will include a world-class Health & Fitness Expo and culminate with finish line concert featuring the biggest names in music, with past performers including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Pitbull, Goo Goo Dolls, All-American Rejects, Flo-Rida, Train and Lady Antebellum who performed at marathon events around the country. The Health & Fitness Expo is open to the public and will be held downtown at the Convention Center. Exhibitors will be selling the latest in running technologies and fitness apparel and will feature health & nutrition information as well as interactive displays.

The race will begin at Balboa Park and end downtown. There are streets in many neighborhoods of San Diego that will be closed for the event to ensure the safety of runners. Most road closures and detours on Sunday will be in effect between the hours of 5:00 am and 2:30 pm. At 5:00 am, police and event personnel will implement a soft closure along the entire race course. The marathon and 1/2 marathon begin at 6:15 am. Streets will reopen on a rolling basis as soon as the last participant has passed and all course support materials have been removed. Residents and businesses located near the race course are urged to plan ahead and to be aware of road closure schedules and alternate access routes.

Download a map and details about road closures and community access specific to your neighborhood.

If you aren’t running in the marathon, we hope you will go out and encourage the runners as they make their way through the course.