Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon guide

Sun, Jun 6, 2027 · San Diego, CA, USA · Start 6:15 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
The start (6th Ave & Quince St, Balboa Park) and finish (near Petco Park) are about 2 miles apart.
Convenient areas to stay
Downtown/Gaslamp near the finish and the convention center expo; the trolley or a rideshare gets you to the start.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time come from the official site but haven't been re-checked for this edition. Aid station mile markers are approximate.
Plan around before race morning
  • The 6:15 AM start is early, and roads close before that.
  • Downtown parking is paid.
  • Aid station locations are approximate; check the official course map.

Sources for Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
Rock 'n' Roll Running Series
Date
Sun, Jun 6, 2027
Distance
Marathon
Start time
6:15 AM
Start location
6th Ave & Quince St, Balboa Park
Finish location
Downtown San Diego near Petco Park (K St & 13th St)
Official race website

Verification date unavailable. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 22–23 · +146 ft
  • Mile 0–1 · +54 ft
  • Mile 13–14 · +19 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 13–14 · −205 ft
  • Mile 0–1 · −27 ft
  • Mile 22–23 · −27 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +54 / −27 ft · Opening climb of ~117 ft over the first five miles (Balboa Park/Hillcrest). Course totals ≈ 547 ft gain / 776 ft loss (source: RunnersConnect; organizer publishes no totals).
  • Mile 1–2 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 3–4 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 5–6 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 13–14 +19 / −205 ft · Big descent into Mission Valley (~183 ft).
  • Mile 14–15 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +14 / −22 ft · Flat sea-level stretch through Mission Bay (miles 15–22).
  • Mile 16–17 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 21–22 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 22–23 +146 / −27 ft · Highway 163 climb (~132 ft in one mile).
  • Mile 23–24 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +14 / −22 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +3 / −4 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 2

    GEL

    First station — heavy congestion, take fluid on the far side.

  • Mile 4

  • Mile 6

  • Mile 8

    GEL

    Gels available just past the tables.

  • Mile 10

  • Mile 12

  • Mile 14

    GEL

  • Mile 16

  • Mile 18

    GEL

    Last full-service station before the closing miles.

  • Mile 20

  • Mile 22

    GEL

  • Mile 23

  • Mile 25

    GEL

    Final fluids before the finish chute.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib worn visibly on the front. Photo ID required at packet pickup; no race-day pickup. No bandits, pets, strollers or unregistered pacers. Bib on the front; clear bag gear check. Bands and entertainment along the course.
Cutoff times
Approximately a 6.5-hour course limit with pace checkpoints.
Transportation
Trolley and rideshare serve the start; parking downtown is paid. Road closures begin early morning.
Other notes
Course, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and are not yet officially verified — confirm timings and logistics with the organizer before race weekend. Aid station mile markers are approximate — official locations are only published on the organizer's course map; check it before race day.

Verification date unavailable. Source

Race week & expo

  • San Diego Convention Center

    111 W Harbor Dr (Halls FGH), San Diego, CA

    Fri, Jun 4, 20277:00 PM – 2:00 AM
    Sat, Jun 5, 20274:00 PM – 12:00 AM
    Packet pickup
    Bib, shirt and race packet are collected together at the expo. Nothing is mailed and there is no race-morning pickup — plan to attend on one of the open days.
    ID requirements
    Government-issued photo ID required for every runner. Picking up for someone else requires a signed authorisation form and a copy of their ID.
    Parking
    Paid parking in the convention center garage; trolley stops outside.
    Transit
    Rideshare drop-off at the main entrance; transit and hotel shuttles serve the venue on expo days.

    Verification date unavailable. No source on file.

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

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