10K races near Solana Beach

The Carmel Valley Trail Race guides runners through Gonzales Canyon Open Space, with the start and finish at Solana Ranch Park in San Diego’s Carmel Valley. This is a small annual trail event limited to 300 participants, offering 5K, 10K, and 10-mile distances. The 10K and 5K also function as championship qualifying races. The course starts and finishes on level terrain. However, the middle portion includes sufficient elevation gain to make the longer distances feel like a mountain race. Participants in the 10K and 10-mile races will encounter a section known as Puke Hill. The 5K route remains flat for those seeking a trail environment without significant climbing. This race is noted as San Diego’s sole trail race crossing Gonzales Canyon Open Space.

The ERS Season Pass is a trail-running registration package for Endurance Race Series events in the Colorado and San Diego areas. It functions as a season-long VIP pass: runners register for every ERS race in their selected market through a single transaction and package price, rather than entering each event individually. The Half Marathon Package is priced at $400 and includes six Southern California races: Carmel Valley 10 Mile, Black Mtn Half, Dixon Lake 10 Mile, Del Dios Half, SPV Half, and Coast to Crest 10K. Pass holders receive a VIP goodie bag, and participants completing five of the six races earn a Season Pass medal and an ERS-branded gift. The package also includes entry into the Legacy Program and the Championship Series, making it suitable for individuals intending to compete in the entire series rather than just one race.

The Lake Hodges Trail Festival is an annual trail running and trail duathlon event. It takes place at the Piedras Pintadas Trailhead in San Diego, California, with the start and finish located at the trailhead. The event offers a 50K, 25K, 15K, 10K, 5K, Stroller Trail 5K, a 1 Mile Kid's Fun Run, and a run-bike-run Trail Duathlon. This festival is part of the Elevation Culture Race Series. The 50K serves as an entry-level ultramarathon. The 10K covers 1,000 feet of elevation gain, reaching Bernardo Mountain Peak. The 5K route runs along the Lake Hodges shore. The Kid's Fun Run is untimed and intended for children aged 10 and under. Participants include runners, duathletes, teams, families, and children. The event is cupless, requiring participants to provide their own hydration containers. All finishers get shirts and handcrafted wooden medals, with 10K Bernardo Challenge runners also receiving a summit coin.

The Thankful Paws Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving morning run held at Rohr Park in Bonita, part of Chula Vista, California. It focuses on pets alongside runners, offering 5K and 10K races for adults, a Kids' Mile, and a Doggy Mile for families wanting their dog in the race-day picture. The course winds through a community park and borders a golf course, accommodating both casual holiday walkers and those aiming for a fast run before Thanksgiving commitments. Canine companions are permitted, and the Doggy Mile features a straightforward rule: the dog must finish ahead of its owner. Proceeds benefit Kane's Animal Rescue, a local nonprofit aiding abandoned and at-risk pets.

The Charlie Brown Christmas 5K/10K is a holiday run and walk held at Kit Carson Park in Escondido, near San Diego. It features a 5K, a 10K, and a Snoopy Dash for children 12 and under. The kids' dash begins first, followed by the 5K and then the 10K, structuring the morning around families as well as runners. Participant entry is limited to 2,500 people, and the event has previously sold out. This race is part of the Peanuts Event Series, which has attracted over 125,000 participants nationwide. The 5K covers 3.1 miles and the 10K covers 6.2 miles, utilizing both sidewalk and trail within the park. The course presents rolling hills, particularly on the trail section between miles 1 and 2, suggesting running or trail shoes are advisable. Organizers implement a staggered start to ensure smooth participant flow onto the trail. The Peanuts theme is central, with participants receiving an officially licensed bib, shirt, finisher medal, and a 4-inch die-cast snow globe medal featuring a shake effect. Santa Claus will be present, post-race refreshments are provided, and festive holiday attire is encouraged.

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 Kook Run begins under the Encinitas sign on Highway 101, sending participants south along the coast on Super Bowl Sunday. The primary events are a 10K and a 5K in Encinitas, California, attracting approximately 2,500 runners. The event accommodates various participants: a Pro/Elite 10K offers a $3,000 prize purse, a People's 10K and 5K are open to runners and walkers, and there is ample room for costumed entrants. The route traces South Coast Highway 101 in an out-and-back format, featuring views of the Pacific Ocean, surf spots, Cardiff State Beach, and the Cardiff Kook statue. The race commences with a gentle descent, incorporates moderate inclines on the return leg, and concludes through downtown Encinitas amidst cheering crowds. The weekend also features a costume competition and a Junior Kook Run for children aged 3 to 12 on Saturday morning.

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.

A beer mile, featuring four 12-ounce beers and a chasing Beer City Beast, is offered alongside a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1-mile Beer Stroll in San Diego. Beer City Half San Diego is a beer-themed running event held at Tecolote Shores on Mission Bay. It includes morning race starts and tasting options connected to the Beer City Festival. The event is presented as a Valentine's Day run through Mission Bay, with a distinct Beer Tasting Only entry for those interested in the festival without participating in a race. The longer races are designed to run along the bay, while the Beer Stroll offers a straightforward 1-mile walk around Tecolote Shores. All participants receive a shirt, a Key to Beer City finisher's medal, and a custom tasting glass. The post-run festival provides unlimited tasting. The unique event is Beat the Beast: participants drink four beers over a mile and race, with elimination occurring if the Beer City Beast catches them. The day continues after the finish area clears, with a Shindig at Seek Brewing Company planned for the afternoon.

The Moonlight Beach Half Marathon, 10k & 6k is a St. Patrick's Day-themed Shamrock Run held at Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas, California. Participants can select the half marathon, 10k, or 6k. All three races commence and conclude near the beach, west of I-5 by Encinitas Boulevard. The half marathon course is set against a Pacific Ocean backdrop, starting from Encinitas Boulevard with Moonlight State Beach serving as the event's home base. This is the third year for the event, which embraces the holiday spirit through green attire and Irish-themed race-day atmosphere, rather than aiming to be a long-established classic.