On 20 December 2025, the 13th Annual San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K returns, staging a downhill / rolling course that begins at Penasquitos Drive & Carmel Mountain Road and finishes at Torrey Pines State Beach. The route includes a modest climb on Carmel Mountain (around mile 1.5) followed by a long descent via the 56 bike path and urban roads, giving it a net drop of approximately 711 ft, making it attractive for personal-best attempts. The half marathon and 5K begin simultaneously at 7:30 AM, with post-race awards and entertainment scheduled from 9:00 to 11:30 AM at the finish. Prize money is offered (e.g. $600 for 1st place in the half) and awards are given in multiple age groups, though category winners must collect on race day. The event usually sells out, encourages early registration, and provides logistical support like bus transport from Sorrento Valley, race expo, and day-of packet pickup options.
Races
Half Marathon
5 km
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon, organized by the event team behind San Diego Holiday Half, is scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025 in San Diego, California, starting in Rancho Peñasquitos and finishing at Torrey Pines State Beach — the course features a net elevation drop of 714 ft (≈ 218 m).
The San Diego Holiday 5K, run in conjunction with the half marathon, is also scheduled for December 20, 2025 in San Diego, California, starting along the 56 Bike Path near Carmel Creek Road and finishing at the same finish line at Torrey Pines State Beach — it has a net drop of 100 ft (≈ 30 m).
Weather based on historical averages.
FAQs
What is the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon?
How long is the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon?
Where does the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon take place?
What is the elevation gain of the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon?
How can I prepare for the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon?
How do I choose the right training plan for the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon?
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon, organized by the event team behind San Diego Holiday Half, is scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025 in San Diego, California, starting in Rancho Peñasquitos and finishing at Torrey Pines State Beach — the course features a net elevation drop of 714 ft (≈ 218 m).
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon is 21km long.
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon takes place in San Diego, CA, USA.
Runna classifies the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon elevation profile as Flat.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon?
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon, organized by the event team behind San Diego Holiday Half, is scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025 in San Diego, California, starting in Rancho Peñasquitos and finishing at Torrey Pines State Beach — the course features a net elevation drop of 714 ft (≈ 218 m).
How long is the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon?
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon is 21km long.
Where does the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon take place?
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon takes place in San Diego, CA, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon?
Runna classifies the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon elevation profile as Flat.
How can I prepare for the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the San Diego Holiday 5K?
How long is the San Diego Holiday 5K?
Where does the San Diego Holiday 5K take place?
What is the elevation gain of the San Diego Holiday 5K?
How can I prepare for the San Diego Holiday 5K?
How do I choose the right training plan for the San Diego Holiday 5K?
The San Diego Holiday 5K, run in conjunction with the half marathon, is also scheduled for December 20, 2025 in San Diego, California, starting along the 56 Bike Path near Carmel Creek Road and finishing at the same finish line at Torrey Pines State Beach — it has a net drop of 100 ft (≈ 30 m).
The San Diego Holiday 5K is 5km long.
The San Diego Holiday 5K takes place in San Diego, CA, USA.
Runna classifies the San Diego Holiday 5K elevation profile as Flat.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the San Diego Holiday 5K?
The San Diego Holiday 5K, run in conjunction with the half marathon, is also scheduled for December 20, 2025 in San Diego, California, starting along the 56 Bike Path near Carmel Creek Road and finishing at the same finish line at Torrey Pines State Beach — it has a net drop of 100 ft (≈ 30 m).
How long is the San Diego Holiday 5K?
The San Diego Holiday 5K is 5km long.
Where does the San Diego Holiday 5K take place?
The San Diego Holiday 5K takes place in San Diego, CA, USA.
What is the elevation gain of the San Diego Holiday 5K?
Runna classifies the San Diego Holiday 5K elevation profile as Flat.
How can I prepare for the San Diego Holiday 5K?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalized training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the San Diego Holiday 5K?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalized training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
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Sport:
Running
Tags:
Major City
Fun Run
This event listing is for informational purposes only. Runna is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by San Diego Holiday Half Marathon or San Diego Holiday Half Marathon. All event details are based on publicly available information and are provided solely to help users discover running events. Runna does not use any official logos, images, or proprietary content from this event or its organiser. Any trademarks or names mentioned are used descriptively to identify the event in a factual manner. For the most accurate and up to date information (including to register or purchase an entry to the event), please visit the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon website.
