Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego to Feature a 5K for the First Time

The 5K will take place the day before the marathon and half marathon.

The 2015 Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon will for the first time feature a Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K on Saturday of race weekend, part of what’s dubbed the Remix Challenge.

Runners who complete the 5K, plus the half-marathon, marathon or half-marathon relay on Sunday will receive a medal for each race, plus a special Remix Challenge medal.

“We want to give runners of all abilities the opportunity to be part of race weekend,” said Kellen Vigil, event manager. “The 5K distance isn’t intimidating for anyone. We want to grow our sport and we remember our roots.”

The 5K will be on Saturday, May 30. The marathon, half marathon and half-marathon relay will be held Sunday, May 31. The 5K, which will start at 7 a.m., is expected to draw 3,000 participants. The first 500 entrants receive a special presale registration price of $35.

Like its big brother, the Suja Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon, the 5K will begin in Balboa Park, a short jog from the marathon start. The predominantly flat course will take runners down 6th Avenue toward Hillcrest, then loop back to Balboa Park.

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With its museums, Spanish architecture, flowers plus wide expanses of green grass and tall trees, the 1,200-acre Balboa Park is a San Diego cultural treasure. The park celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2015.

Balboa Park is also vital to San Diego’s running history. The San Diego Track Club has based workouts there for decades. Famous runners like San Diego High graduate Meb Keflezighi have trained in the trails that meander around the park. Keflezighi will be in attendance at the 5K, greeting runners.

And Balboa Park was the site of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon brand’s birth in 1998.

“Since its debut at Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago last summer, the Remix Challenge has proven to be extremely popular with runners,” said Vigil. “Now we’re offering two days of running in San Diego at the original Rock ‘n’ Roll event, it really brings everything full circle and will be something new and fun this year.”

Runners have long valued the creative, colorful and stylish medals at Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon events. The Remix Challenge medal will continue that trend featuring a spinning guitar pick. As part of a brand that has focused on making running fun, featuring bands, cheerleaders and concerts, the new 5k will include entertainment along the course and finish line festival.