Half Marathon races near Lemon Grove

The Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival is a road-race weekend in Orange County, California, featuring a sunset 5K on Saturday and the half marathon and full marathon on Sunday. The longer races begin at Fashion Island, the outdoor shopping mall in Newport Beach, with the 5K starting and ending at the OC Fair & Event Center. The event, held annually, originated from an Orange County marathon that offered equal prize money for its first male and female winners. The half and full marathon course departs from Newport Beach onto Pacific Coast Highway, proceeds through Corona del Mar, passes Newport Bay, and then heads inland along residential streets near Upper Newport Bay. The half marathon diverts towards the OC Fair & Event Center around the 12-mile point, while the marathon continues through Costa Mesa, passing the Orange County Museum of Art, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and South Coast Plaza, before entering Santa Ana and returning south on the Santa Ana River Trail to the fairgrounds. The 5K route remains closer to Costa Mesa, passing Orange Coast College.

The Peak is a mountain trail race at Cuyamaca Peak in San Diego County, offering 50K, marathon, and half marathon distances. The longer races begin early, with the half marathon starting an hour later. This is not a gentle run: the 50K and marathon ascend over 2,200 feet in the initial 6.3 miles, reaching Cuyamaca Peak, San Diego County’s second-highest summit, before the marathon descends 2,800 feet to Sweetwater Aid Station. The marathon course has an 8.5-hour time limit, the 50K allows 10 hours, and the half marathon cutoff is 4.5 hours. All three distances commence at Camp Hual-Cu-Cuish and utilize single-track trails. The half marathon follows the same initial route as the longer races up Conejos Trail before returning to the start/finish area. Marathon runners turn around at Sweetwater Aid Station, then climb back to Cuyamaca Peak on their return, accumulating up to 10,000 feet of total elevation change. The 50K includes a five-mile loop from Sweetwater before rejoining the marathon's return path, meaning those runners pass Sweetwater twice. The event is part of the SoCal Ultra Series, its trails are maintained by Trailfit volunteers under Ken Bonus, and a local detail includes a discount on handmade ice-pocket bandanas from T’s Cool Downs, with a portion of sales benefiting Malan Syndrome Research.

Crown Point Relay Runs takes place on a morning at Crown Point Park in San Diego, offering 5K, 8K, half marathon relay, and marathon relay options. The relay races begin early, followed by the 8K and then the 5K. This schedule means the longer team events are underway within the park before the shorter races commence. Relay teams consist of 2 to 5 runners; the half marathon relay spans 5 laps and the marathon relay covers 10 laps. The course follows a paved bike path alongside the calm waters of Mission Bay. It features a flat, fast profile with broad bay views. The course suits walkers, newer runners, club runners, and teams aiming for a fast finish. However, the relay format lends a more social atmosphere than a typical road race. Teams receive a picnic area, chipped timing, shirts, medals, and overall and age-group awards. Active and veteran military or service members are eligible for a registration discount.

The Binational Race is an October running event connecting San Diego and Tijuana. The most direct route begins in San Diego, crosses the U.S.-Mexico border mid-race, and concludes at the beach in Playas de Tijuana. Participants can select a half marathon, a 12K, a Tijuana-only 10K, or a virtual option. Now in its third edition, the event's structure is designed to bring people from both sides of the border together on a single course and at one finish line. The half marathon and 12K utilize the San Ysidro-El Chaparral crossing, traverse the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, proceed along Avenida Internacional, and finish with a quick downhill run toward Playas de Tijuana. The 10K starts and ends in Tijuana, allowing participants who prefer not to cross the border to join the same beachside finish and post-race activities. The field comprises runners from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and the race was established with backing from both communities following discussions with city officials on both sides. All finishers receive a medal, complimentary race photos, and a timed result; half marathon and 12K runners also get the official shirt.

The Thrive San Diego Half Marathon & 5K takes place in November at Ski Beach in Mission Bay, San Diego. All courses begin and end at this location. The primary event is a 13.1-mile half marathon, with additional options including a 5K, a two-person half marathon relay, charity entries, and virtual half marathon and 5K races. This marks the series' tenth year. The morning begins with the half marathon and relay, followed by the 5K. The half marathon course is a loop starting on Ingraham Street, proceeding along Mission Bay, and returning to Ski Beach. It features flat, fast sections, bay views, and ocean breezes, avoiding significant hills or complex terrain. Relay participants cover approximately 6.5 miles each over the 13.1-mile distance. The race benefits Make-A-Wish San Diego and promotes community well-being through activity, healthy eating, and charitable contributions.

San Diego 50 & Trail Runs offers a trail race series in San Diego centered on a 50-mile ultra. Shorter distances accommodate marathoners, relay teams, new trail runners, parents with strollers, and children. The 50M is presented as a suitable first 50-mile race or an accessible ultra. The event also features a trail marathon, a half marathon, the Summit Chase 10M, the Valley 5M, the Stroller Trail 5K, and a 1 Mile Fun Run for children 10 and under. Raptor Ridge is a key course feature. The trail marathon crests at Raptor Ridge, and the Summit Chase 10M goes to the summit and back, with the winner taking the title. The marathon relay divides the marathon into two 13.1-mile segments, with handoffs at Piedras Parking Trail Head Parking Lot rather than using a shuttle. The Valley 5M and Stroller Trail 5K are flat courses, and the kids' mile is untimed but includes finisher medals. The series is cupless; participants must provide their own bottle, cup, or hydration pack for aid stations.

The Del Dios Trail Race begins at the Lake Hodges Boat Ramp Lot in Escondido, California. All race distances are run entirely on dirt. The event is known as the “Race of the Gods,” offering runners multiple options on the same rugged terrain: 50K, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a 15K relay for three-person co-ed teams. This annual trail race, with over ten editions completed, focuses on lake-country trails instead of paved surfaces. The course features dirt service roads and maintained single-track. The amount of climbing varies by distance, and the terrain is technical enough to avoid feeling like a casual lakeside run. Participants start from the boat ramp area, heading out along Mission Road and the Coast to Crest Trail before returning the same way. The relay format is straightforward: each teammate completes the 5K course, and teams must consist of both men and women. The boat ramp area is closed to the public during the event, requiring runners, staff, and volunteers to use parking passes provided with race-day information.

The San Pasqual Valley Trail Race begins on Bandy Canyon Road in Escondido, located in San Diego County's wine region. Participants can select from 20-mile, half marathon, and 10K distances; some event listings also mention a 1K option. This trail race is set on vineyard roads, through orange groves, across grass fields, and along dirt trails, distinct from urban courses. Now in its tenth year, the race is designed for trail runners seeking a demanding course. The course starts on private land before proceeding along Bandy Canyon Road and dirt paths through San Pasqual Valley. Raptor Ridge presents the primary challenge: the half marathon route involves an out-and-back journey up and down the ridge twice. The ascent features switchbacks and offers expansive valley views. The landscape combines active wine country with citrus orchards, and local wine is available to runners at the finish line, continuing the regional theme.

Sycamore Canyon hosts a trail race series in Goodman Ranch Sycamore Canyon Preserve, east of San Diego, featuring a 100K, 50K, and half marathon. The longer races are available solo or as four-person relays; the half marathon is a single-distance option. The event begins before sunrise: 100K solo runners start at 5:00 a.m., the 50K and relays at 6:00 a.m., and the half marathon at 7:00 a.m. Packet pickup opens at 4:30 a.m., with all participants required to be off course by 10:00 p.m. The 100K and 50K utilize a figure-eight lap course, accumulating approximately 1,400 feet of climbing per loop. The 50K covers 51 km with 5,600 feet of elevation gain, and the 100K spans 102 km with 11,200 feet of gain over eight laps. The upper portion of the figure eight is consistently run clockwise; the lower section reverses direction each lap, adding variety to the repeated loops. Solo 100K participants must have completed a prior 50K-distance race or longer, and slower 100K runners may opt for an early start. In the relays, each 100K runner completes two 7.9-mile laps, while each 50K relay runner covers one lap, allowing teams to strategize runner rotation. The event, established in 2016, includes prize money.

The Navy Ten-Miler Presented by USAA is a ten-mile race in San Diego, run along the Chula Vista Bayfront. It is the Navy’s primary endurance race, with active-duty service members, veterans, civilians, and elite military athletes all competing over the same distance. The first edition drew over 1,000 runners from 36 states and 6 countries, starting with a field well beyond the local military community. Race weekend also includes a 5K that runs beside the ten-miler route and finishes under the same arch, plus a free Youth Run where every finisher receives a bib and finisher gift. A virtual edition allows runners to complete the distance from any GPS-enabled location, with the bib, medal, and finisher gear shipped to them. The event is part of the Armed Forces Series Challenge, and its Sponsor a Sailor option covers registration for an active-duty sailor who wants to run.