Check out these fun 5k San Diego runs in 2024!

Maybe you’re new to running and you need a little motivation to give you a push in the right direction, or perhaps you have an important cause in mind that you want to raise some money for.

Whatever your reasons, 5k runs in San Diego are becoming increasingly popular throughout the city, and there are more and more San Diego 5k events popping up every month.

Stay fit and find some 5k races in San Diego near you with our county-wide guide below.

Also read:
Full list of San Diego Half-Marathons in 2024
Full list of San Diego Marathons in 2024

Margarita Madness

• Date – January 6th, 2024
• Location – Morena Blvd
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000 
• Other races – N/A

A 5k run where you’ll have a margarita waiting for you at the finish line – need I say more? Margarita Madness welcomes all ages and fitness levels, making it an excellent event for running novices.

Register here

Del Dios Trail

• Date – January 7th, 2024
• Location – Lake Hodges, Escondido
• Type – Trail
• Participants – 100 – 500 
• Other races – 10k, Half marathon

Take things up a notch with the Del Dios Trail. Make your way around the serene Lake Hodges and admire the views as you run through a series of short inclines and dirt roads.

Register here

San Diego Resolution Run

• Date – January 13th, 2024
• Location – Mission Bay
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000 
• Other races – 10k, Half marathon

A scenic route that meanders its way around Mission Bay, the flat terrain makes it super easy to soak up the sea views during your 5k run. The vistas are so distracting you’ll have completed your race before you know it.

Register here

Carlsbad Marathon & Half

• Date – January 14th, 2024
• Location – Carlsbad
• Type – Road
• Participants – 5,000 – 10,000 
• Other races – Marathon, Half marathon

Set over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the Carlsbad Marathon is among the most stunning running routes you could imagine. The 5k look starts and finishes at The Shoppes, and you’ll pass by the Buena Vista Lagoon as the sun comes up.

Register here

San Diego MLK 5K Walk / Fun Run

• Date – January 14th, 2024
• Location – The Embarcadero
• Type – Road
• Participants – 100 – 500 
• Other races – N/A

If you fancy something a little less competitive, check out the 5k Fun Run set in Downtown. Walk, run, or jog your way along the flat gradient with your family and friends. This event is about encouraging people of all abilities to get involved.

Register here

Coronado Valentines Day

• Date – February 4th, 2024
• Location – Coronado
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000 
• Other races – 10k, 1 mile

Impress your special someone with your new personal best at Coronado’s Valentine’s Day celebration, or better yet, start training with them and have them join you as you tackle the roads of Glorietta Boulevard together.

Register here

Mission Beach Half Marathon Relay, 9K/5K

• Date – February 4th, 2024
• Location – Mission Beach
• Type – Road/Beach
• Participants – 500 – 1,000 
• Other races – Half marathon, relay, 9k

Running on the same day, you can swap Coronado for Mission Beach if you prefer beachside views as you flaunt your sprinting skills. Any fit families out there will find this 5k run in San Diego to their liking as they offer a category for pretty much any age group.

Register here

Cardiff Kook Run

• Date – February 11th, 2024
• Location – Encinitas
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000 
• Other races – 10k

Jog along Highway 101 and past the Cardiff Kook statue and State Beach during this charity run on Super Bowl Sunday. Much of the proceeds go towards local non-profit organizations, live music, food stalls, and a costume contest await you as you cross the finish line.

Register here

Ranch to Ranch

• Date – February 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Alpine
• Type – Trail
• Participants – 1 – 100
• Other races – 2k, 10k, 15k

Avid trail runners won’t want to miss this one. You’ll be given a rare opportunity to run through private paths not often opened to the public. The Ranch to Ranch team has even added a 2k race for the little ones to get involved.

Register here

Mermaid Half Marathon San Diego

• Date – February 24th, 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Mission Bay
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – Half marathon, 10k, Virtual run

Calling all ladies looking to dip their toes into the realm of running! This picturesque Mission Bay fun run is for you. Any youngsters who want to get in on the action can sign up for the Mermaid Dash, which is open for boys and girls between 6 and 12 years of age.

Register here

Coast to Crest 10K and 5K

• Date – March 2nd, 2024
• Location – Del Mar
• Type – Trail
• Participants – 100 – 500
• Other races – 10k

Set entirely on dirt roads, this San Diego 5k run has been known as the best spot in town to get your personal best time, thanks to the mostly flat terrain and a downhill finish. To make things even better, you’ll enjoy sweeping views as you smash your previous record.

Register here

Screen Your Gut – Save Your Butt 5K Challenge

• Date – March 9th, 2024
• Location – Pacific Beach
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – 1 mile

A 5k in San Diego for a worthy cause, the Screen Your Gut – Save Your Butt run was set up to raise awareness about colorectal cancer in the United States and motivate citizens to stay up to date with regular screenings.

Register here

Hot Chocolate Run

• Date – March 10th, 2024
• Location – Downtown
• Type – Road
• Participants – 5,000 – 10,000
• Other races – 10k, 15k

The Hot Chocolate Run is the fastest-growing race series in the States, and with a name like that, is it any wonder? Upon crossing the finish line, registered runners can tuck into chocolate fondue and a steaming cup of cocoa, of course.

Register here 

San Diego Leprechaun Run 

• Date – March 16th, 2024
• Location – Pacific Beach
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – 1k kids fun run

Slip on your finest green attire and complete this fast and flat route in honor of St. Patrick. Considering the day, it’ll come as no surprise that you’ll be greeted with a celebratory drink after you finish up your run.

Register here

Mission Hills 5K

• Date – March 16th, 2024
• Location – Mission Hills
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – N/A

Organized to create funding for improving the STEAM program at Grant K-8, a local school, this run is always so much fun, and the area has a real sense of community. It’s a pretty laidback race, and walkers are also welcome.

Register here

Race for Autism

• Date – April 6th, 2024
• Location – Balboa Park
• Type – Road
• Participants – 5,000 – 10,000
• Other races – 10k, 1 mile family walk

Make an impact on the lives of adults and children with autism all over San Diego at the Race for Autism, an annual family-friendly event that’s about making the next generation feel like superheroes.

Register here

Carlsbad 5000

• Date – April 7th, 2024
• Location – Carlsbad
• Type – Road
• Participants – 10,000+
• Other races – 0.5 mile, 1 mile, 10k

Dubbed as the home of the world’s fastest 5k, the Carlsbad 5000 is an annual event where the speediest athletes around try their hand at breaking records. Fear not, though, as there are separate races depending on your age and fitness levels.

Register here

San Diego Beach & Bay

• Date – April 14th, 2024
• Location – Mission Bay
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000
• Other races – Half marathon, 10k

A California-esque San Diego 5k, if there ever was one, the San Diego Beach & Bay run comprises several different events, with the 5k consisting of boardwalks and roads along the waterfront. You’ll then be able to toast to your accomplishment at the after-party.

Register here

Randy Jones Run/Walk for Independence

• Date – April 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Crown Point Park
• Type – Road
• Participants – 100 – 500
• Other races – N/A

Lace up your running shoes for an amazing cause at this annual 5k run. Proceeds from this race will go towards providing resources to help children and adults living with developmental disabilities gain some independence of their own.

Register here

Five Fifty Fifty Walk/Run

• Date – April 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Crown Point Park
• Type – Trail
• Participants – 100 – 500
• Other races – N/A

Another Crown Point Park event is the Five Fifty Fifty Walk/Run, a charity race that aims to raise funds to support those suffering from mental health, promoting the role exercise can play in bettering mood, self-esteem, and well-being.

Register here

Miracle Babies Superhero 5K

• Date – May 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Liberty Station
• Type – Road
• Participants – 5,000 – 10,000
• Other races – Fun run

Run, hop, skip, or walk to the finish line at this heartwarming Miracle Babies Superhero 5k. Set up to provide support and resources to families with unwell infants; this is run with an incredibly important cause at heart.

Registration is not open.

Liberty Station Marathon Relay & 5K

• Date – May 12th, 2024
• Location – Liberty Station
• Type – Road, trail
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – Full marathon relay, half marathon relay

Consisting mostly of a paved path with a small patch of trail roads, Liberty Station’s running extravaganza is a guaranteed great time for all the family. If you happen to have loved ones who are also keen runners, why not take part in the relay races?

Register here

Girls on the Run 5k

• Date – May 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Mission Bay
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000
• Other races – N/A

Anyone reading with adolescent daughters, listen up! Mission Bay will play host to an exciting 5k run for another year to equip young girls with confidence, determination, and a love of staying active.

Register here

La Jolla Half Marathon

• Date – May 18th, 2024
• Location – La Jolla
• Type – Road
• Participants – 5,000 – 10,000
• Other races – Half marathon

La Jolla’s ever-popular half marathon also runs alongside a shorter race that runs within the final 5 km of the main event. There are so many 5k with breathtaking scenery in San Diego, but this one might just be the best of the lot.

Register here

Vista Strawberry Run

• Date – May 18th, 2024
• Location – Vista
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000
• Other races – 1 mile, Fun run

Held every year during Vista’s Strawberry Festival, this run culminates with a finishing prize of sweet-as-can-be strawberries as you come to the end of the race. Participants over the age of 21 will also be treated to a complimentary beer.

Register here

Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego

• Date – June 1st & 2nd, 2024
• Location – Balboa Park/Downtown
• Type – Road
• Participants – 10,000+
• Other races – Full marathon, half marathon

One of San Diego’s biggest and best running festivals, Rock ‘n’ Roll is a weekend of picture-perfect runs, good times, and plenty of post-workout entertainment.

Register here

Corporate Dash 5K

• Date – June 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Balboa Park/Downtown
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – N/A

There’s heaps of summertime fun to be had at the Corporate Dash, an annual race operated by local businesses, in which groups of four or more budding athletes complete a 5k together before getting the party started at the beer garden.

Register here

Low Tide Ride and Stride

• Date – June 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Coronado
• Type – Trail
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – N/A

Not your typical 5k event, Low Tide Ride and Stride is a race where walking, cycling, and running are all permitted to raise money for injured war veterans and first responders.

Register here

Crown City Classic

• Date – July 4th, 2024
• Location – Coronado
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000
• Other races – 12k

Somewhere between a race and a parade is the Crown City Classic’s 5k celebration. In place for over 50 years now, this run is actually among the largest Independence Day parades on the West Coast.

Register here

Pride 5K Run/Walk

• Date – July 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Hillcrest
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – N/A

Keep fit and celebrate pride month all in one go with this 5k route, which is open to runners and walkers. A great deal of the funds go towards local LGBTQ+ support networks.

Register here

Gaslamp Run 5K/10K

• Date – July 28th, 2024
• Location – Downtown
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000
• Other races – 10k

Soak up the Gaslamp Quarter’s vibrant atmosphere with a 5k sprint or jog around the area’s most beloved streets before letting your hair down at the third annual post-run fiesta.

Register here

Salute to Souldiers 5K Run/Walk/Ruck

• Date – August 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Liberty Station
• Type – Road
• Participants – 100 – 500
• Other races – N/A

A cause that is close to many people’s hearts, the Salute to Soldiers run is completed every year in honor of army veterans and also aims to combat homelessness and suicide amongst former soldiers.

Register here

Wounded Warrior Project Carry Forward 5K

• Date – August 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Liberty Station
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000
• Other races – N/A

In addition to the Salute to Soldiers run, the Naval Training Center Park at Liberty Station also hosts the Wounded Warrior Project, which works to give year-round support to serving and retired troops.

Register here

America’s Finest City Half Marathon & 5K

• Date – August 18th, 2024
• Location – Downtown
• Type – Road
• Participants – 5,000 – 10,000
• Other races – Half marathon

A race that showcases some of San Diego’s most bustling neighborhoods and districts, America’s Finest City race also has a popular 5k option for recently converted runners, kicking off bright and early before the sunshine becomes a bit too much.

Register here

Windfall Full Moon Trail Run

• Date – August 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Alpine
• Type – Trail
• Participants – 1 – 100
• Other races – 10k, 15k, 30k

Spend a night jogging under the stars during the Windfall Full Moon Trail Run, a run that sets off after dark and goes through scenic hills and winding pathways.

Register here

Grape Day 5k

• Date – September 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – San Marcos
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – N/A

San Marcos’s famous Grape Day festival is made up of a bunch of fabulous events, with one of them being the annual 5k run. This run is suitable for all ages, and every ability level is encouraged to join in on the fun.

Register here

Race to Cure Sarcoma

• Date – September 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Spanish Landing Park
• Type – Road
• Participants – 100 – 500
• Other races – 1 mile walk/run

The Race to Cure Sarcoma is a yearly event that’s become a staple on the 5k San Diego calendar. All of the funding is put towards finding a cure for this deadly disease and giving resources to affected families.

Register here

West Coast 5K SCADaddle for Research

• Date – September 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Crown Point Park
• Type – Road
• Participants – 100 – 500
• Other races – N/A

Yet another race that’s set in Mission Bay’s Crown Point Park is the West Coast 5k SCADaddle, a run that seeks to raise awareness of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), a common cause of heart attacks in women under 50 that’s still relatively unknown.

Register here

Aloha Run San Diego

• Date – September 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Mission Bay
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000
• Other races – 10k

Immerse yourself in Polynesian culture at the fantastic Aloha Run, which comprises a 5k and a 10k route on flat terrain with gorgeous surroundings. Celebrate with hula dancers and music that’s traditional to the Pacific Islands.

Register here

9/11 Heroes Run

• Date – September 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Liberty Station
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – 1 mile

Pay tribute to all of those who lost their lives as a result of 9/11 and those who fought to protect others at this annual 5k get-together.

Register here

Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K

• Date – October 5th, 2024
• Location – Pacific Beach
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000
• Other races – Half marathon

This waterfront race is perfectly timed to avoid the warmer months of the year, and you’ll have the option of starting at 6.45 a.m. or 10 a.m.

Register here

Carmel Valley Trail

• Date – October 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Carmel Valley
• Type – Trail
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – 10k, 15k

For a short but tiring run, look no further than the Carmel Valley trail, which runs through the Torrey Highlands Community Park.

Register here

Côta Vera 5K

• Date – October 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Chula Vista
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – Fun run

Enjoy a strong feeling of community spirit at Chula Vista’s 5k run, which gives locals access to pristine training grounds usually reserved for professional athletes.

Register here

Lake Hodges Trail Fest

• Date – October 19th & 20th 2024 
• Location – Rancho Bernardo
• Type – Trail
• Participants – 100 – 500
• Other races – 10k, 15k, 50k, ultra, relay

Adventure-seekers will love this trail run around Lake Hodges, a spectacular spot for a race that’ll have you coming back every year.

Register here

Crown Point Half-marathon

• Date – October 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Crown Point Park
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – Full marathon, half marathon, 8k, relay

The ultimate family outing, the Crown Point races are some of the most exciting in all of San Diego and are an ideal first experience for newbies.

Register here

Kaiser Permanente Thrive Half Marathon & 5K

• Date – November 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Point Loma
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000
• Other races – Half marathon

This super pretty 5k San Diego race was formed to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish foundation and to promote health and fitness.

Register here

Miles for Migraine

• Date – November 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Liberty Station
• Type – Road
• Participants – 100 – 500
• Other races – 2 mile walk

Help people suffering from chronic headaches and migraines to encourage better treatments and provide funds for further research by competing in the Miles for Migraine race.

Register here

Carrera De Los Muertos

• Date – November 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Downtown
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – 10k

Aptly named ‘the race of the dead’, this run makes for a brilliant day out, complete with Mexican nibbles and a mariachi band.

Register here

Run Against Breast Cancer

• Date – December 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Liberty Station
• Type – Road
• Participants – 500 – 1,000
• Other races – 10k

Play your part in the fight against breast cancer at this Liberty Station outing, which runs annually.

Register here

Jingle Bell Run

• Date – December 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Liberty Station
• Type – Road
• Participants – 1,000 – 5,000
• Other races – Kids miles

Young, old, and furry family members are invited to come to the Jingle Bell Run, which has been set up to support the fight against arthritis.

Register here

Santa Run

• Date – December 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Pacific Beach
• Type – Road
• Participants – 5,000 – 10,000
• Other races – Kids mile, dog mile

A San Diego 5k with a twist, this festive race is filled with thousands of Santa-clad runners before the Christmas celebrations kick off.

Register here

Holiday Bowl

• Date – December 2024 (Date TBC)
• Location – Downtown
• Type – Road
• Participants – 5,000 – 10,000
• Other races – N/A

Along with the Holiday Bowl game and parade, San Diego also hosts a 5k run on the same day, where you can sweat off all that holiday grub.

Register here

With so many 5k San Diego runs planned for every month of the year, staying in shape and keeping on track with your fitness goals has never been easier. Better yet, you could easily flash your running shoes in a different corner of San Diego every other week.

The post Check out these fun 5k San Diego runs in 2024! appeared first on San Diego Explorer.