San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K
- Date
- December 19, 2026
- Distance
- Half Marathon · 5K
From the Organizer
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon is a fast 13.1-mile course that starts on Penasquitos Drive in front of the Hotel Karlan (formerly, the Doubletree Golf Resort) then travels SW along Carmel Mountain Rd (your only ‘real’ hill at mile 1.5), along the 56 bike path and finishes at the beautiful Torrey Pines State Beach (pictured above!). The race includes a 711-foot net elevation drop along the “rolling” downhill bike path, which also makes it a personal best candidate. This popular winter half has been a sell-out event every year. Get your end-of-the-year PR!!!
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
66°
Typical Low
49°
Chance of Rain
20%
Based on US Climate Normals data from San Diego Lindbergh Fld, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About San Diego, CA
Population
1,385,061
as of 2023
Elevation
352 ft
Nearest Airport
SAN
San Diego International Airport · 3 mi
Time Zone
Pacific Time
From Endurance Grid
A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
194
Days to train
- Race
- San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K
- Date
- December 19, 2026
Coming Up
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From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K?
- San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K is a running race held in San Diego, California on December 19, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K?
- Saturday, December 19, 2026 in San Diego, California at 14455 Penasquitos Rd, San Diego, CA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K
Dec 19, 2026