La Jolla Half Marathon Race Info

The La Jolla Half Marathon is a beautiful, point-to-point coastal route that will leave you breathless because of the scenery and the hills! The race starts at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and runs along the coast before reaching the climb to the summit of Torrey Pines State Park. The time of year has changed for this event in the last couple of years, but it’s often chilly at the start, warm in the middle, and can be chilly at the end as well.

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

Super scenic course but it makes you work for it with hills throughout – there’s a reason people say, “Hill Yeah!” when talking about this race
No aid allowed in Torrey Pines State Park, but there is aid both immediately before and after the park
Wave starts, which allows for less crowding, and most reports say the wave start went fairly quickly
While there are 4 main hills, there are rolling hills after the climb up to Torrey Pines State Park
Be ready to dodge pedestrian traffic around mile 11 and beyond as you run back in town and on the boardwalk
Give yourself plenty of time for parking in the morning, no matter which shuttle option you choose
While temps are likely in the 60s, it gets chilly at the finish, so have a change of clothes ready
Just assume there will be non-stop hills and then be pleasantly surprised when it’s flat or downhill! Lots of race reports surprised by hills even when they knew the elevation and hills ahead, especially from the Torrey Pines hill to the finish, including the hill in the last mile
Not a super spectator friendly course, so be ready for some quiet stretches
One race report noted that there weren’t course markings until mile 8 – be mentally prepared in case the course mile markers aren’t there
Fairly exposed course and all the more if the sun is out – be prepared with sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, etc.

Course

Type: Point to Point

Start/Finish Info: The half marathon starts at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and runs along the coast before reaching the climb to the summit of Torrey Pines State Park. After the park, the course rolls atop Torrey Pines Mesa, runs down through the neighborhood of La Jolla Shores, and finishes in Ellen Browning Scripps Park.

Hills: Close to 1100 feet of gain over 4 main climbs: 80 feet, 200 feet, 440 feet, then 150 feet.

Course Map/Elevation Profile