Attention Runners!
There will be no half marathon finish line. Participants cannot register for a half marathon and are encouraged to train to complete the 26.2 mile Marathon in 7 hours. Details...
General Information
Course Highlights
Here's what to expect on the course...
- 26 Entertainment stages
- 40 Cheerleader squads
- 19 Water stations, with Accelerade at 10 water stations
- 10 Accelerade stops
- 1 PowerBar Gel Zone
- 20 Medical tents
- Dozens of Running Elvi
Saturn
Saturn is proud to be back as the Official Vehicle of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon! Keep an eye out for the Official Lead Vehicles provided by Saturn. They're easy to spot with Rock 'n' Roll decals accenting the sleek body of the car. But watch closely, for these Saturn SKYs will fly past you at top speed.
Play the Saturn Devotion to Motion game and Win a Saturn of Your Choice! Now you can be the proud owner of a new Saturn by playing the Saturn Devotion to Motion game. Register here for a chance to win a new Saturn, or hundreds of instant win prizes, such as your own personal navigation system, Amazon.com gift cards and more!
Saturn, just something to rethink about.
The Course
The 2009 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon presents the same great course as last year. The 26.2 mile course begins in Balboa Park, runs through Hillcrest and skirts the San Diego Zoo.
Runners take an expanded tour of downtown featuring Petco Park, the historic Gaslamp Quarter, and the San Diego Harbor. Following the downtown excursion, the course travels up beautiful Highway 163, and races by the bayside communities, Sea World and ends at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Point Loma.
2009 Elevation Chart
Start Area and Location of the Start Line
When you arrive at the Start Line in Balboa Park on race morning proceed to the Start Line Village located on 6th Avenue between Laurel and Palm Streets. Fuel up on water, Cytomax, fruit, coffee and other foods. There are also medical stations, the UPS gear check and 300 portable toilets.
The actual Start Line is located at 6th Ave and Palm St. and opens at 5 am on race day.
Finish Line Festival
The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon will finish in a secured area at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in Point Loma. Participants receive water, other refreshments, and a finisher's medal.
The Finish Line Festival features live music, refreshments and food, and one well-deserved complimentary beer. The Family Reunion area will be located on the grass area within the Finish Line Festival. Look for tall alphabet signs (A-Z) to help you locate your friends and family. Please plan to meet your family in this area. It is advisable to discuss a reunion plan with your friends and family prior to the race.
Spectators should arrive by 10 am to park at the Airport Authority parking lot near the finish line at the Marine Corp Recruit Depot. Please plan ample time to park, clear security, and take a shuttle ride to the finish line. The wait at the security checkpoint could be up to 30 minutes.
New Balance Recovery
A day out with RUNNING.
After a long day with RUNNING, your body demands some rest. On race day, New Balance will offer runners a destination at the finish line designed to address recovery needs. Look for the New Balance Recovery Zone near the finish line for personal trainers, stretching mats, seating areas, New Balance branded giveaways and a preview of the NBx performance collection of running footwear.
LOVE/hate. this is the new balance.
New Balance is the Official Footwear Sponsor of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series.
Check us out at www.newbalance.com.
Family Reunion
The Family Reunion area will be located on the grass area just south of the finish line. Look for tall alphabet signs (A-Z), to help you locate your family and friends. Please meet your family in this area. Over 50,000 people attend the Finish Line Festival; it is advisable to discuss a reunion plan with your friends and family prior to the race.
Rules Enforced on MCRD:
- No vehicles, including bicycles, will be allowed to enter the base.
- All persons entering the MCRD are subject to search and seizure of illegal substances.
- Arrive early and expect at least a half hour delay when entering the MCRD.
- Weapons of any type, alcohol, glass bottles and illegal drugs or paraphernalia are strictly prohibited on base.
- All bags, packs, camera bags and personal property will be searched.
Guests are encouraged to limit baggage brought into the MCRD. This will facilitate expeditious entry.
- No dogs or pets will be allowed to enter the MCRD.
- While within the MCRD, please stay within the clearly marked designated area.
- Entry into the MCRD constitutes consent to search of personnel and the property under their control, pursuant to internal security act of 1950, section 21, 50 u.s.c. 797 (1979).
- The MCRD is an active military base. Due to national security concerns, any jokes or references will be treated seriously and will result in eviction from the base and possible arrest. Please respect the MCRD officials and grounds.
Important Course Information
The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Does Not Offer a Half Marathon.
Participants cannot register for a half marathon and all participants are encouraged to train to complete the 26.2 mile marathon in 7 hours.
In order to ensure that the roads reopen at the published times, there will be cut off points enforced along the course. These times and locations are as follows:
- 10:35 am at Mile 13.4 - This reflects a 17:26/mile pace
- 12:15 pm at Mile 19.2 - This reflects a 17:26/mile pace
Participants not upholding a 17:26/mile marathon pace at mile 13.4 will be rerouted to the finish line and complete an 18 mile course. Participants who do not uphold a 17:26/mile marathon pace at mile 19.2 will be stopped and transported to the finish line.
Pace Team
The San Diego Track Club will help you set the pace and get you to the Finish at your goal time. To join a Pace Team, simply visit the Southwest Airlines booth at the Expo.
Pace groups offered this year include 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 3:40, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 5:00 and 5:30. Participation is FREE, and registration is open to all runners in the Marathon.
Course Support
- Please help us keep the course clean and green! After grabbing your PowerBar Gel packet at mile 17.6, make sure to throw it in a trash can. There will be lots of trash cans for disposal at the aid station that follows mile 17.6. Please help us keep this sensitive area near Mission Bay clean. Thank you!
- Water will be served at the Start and Finish lines.
- Cytomax will be served at 10 stations along the course.
- PowerBar Gel (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry Banana, Plain Energy, Double Latte and Caramel) will be served at mile 17.6 along the course.
Water & Sport Drink Locations
Water stations will be located at the following mile markers: 1.4, 2.9, 4.8, 6.9, 7.9, 8.8, 10.1, 11.6, 13.7, 14.8, 15.6, 17.6, 18.6, 19.8, 20.9, 22.5, 23.5, 24.1, 24.9. There will also be plenty of water at the start and finish lines.
Cytomax will be served at ten water station locations at mile markers 2.9, 4.8, 7.9, 11.6, 13.7, 15.6, 19.8, 22.5, 23.5, 24.9.
Medical Aid Stations
There will be medical stations at the Start Area and at the following mile markers: 2.9, 4.9, 6.9, 7.9, 8.8, 10.1, 11.8, 13.8, 14.9, 15.6, 17.6, 18.9, 19.8, 21.4, 22.5, 23.5, 24.1, 24.9, and 25.7, as well as eight at the finish. Look for the sports medicine volunteers in RED shirts for complimentary help before, during and after the race. In order to help our medical team work more efficiently, please fill out the medical history information on the back of your race number after you pick it up.
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Chronotrak Timing System
State of the art ChronoTrack systems will be used to record participants’ times at the start, at certain splits along the course and at the finish. The ChronoTrack system uses a disposable tag, called a D Tag, which allows you to walk away from the finish without the need to have your tag collected.
The ChronoTrack timing tag (D Tag) will be attached to your race bib. The D Tag will be labeled with a number that matches your race number. When you pick up your bib, please make sure these numbers match, and also verify that YOUR name is printed on the bib you are issued*. Proceed to the Solutions Table if any of the information is incorrect.
Prior to the race, you must remove the tag from your number and attach it to your shoe. Please follow the instructions provided in your registration packet.
PLEASE NOTE: All participants in this race must wear the ChronoTrack timing tag on your shoe in order to have their times recorded. ChampionChip timing equipment will NOT be used at this race; ChampionChip timing chips will NOT record your time.
*If you register for the race before online registration closes (midnight, March 29, 2009), your race bib should have your name printed on it.
Visit chronotrack.com for more information.
Printable ChronoTrack systems instructions
*Requires free Adobe Reader to view and print.
Weather
San Diego often experiences early-morning cloud cover in late May and early June, which keeps temperatures down. The chance of precipitation is minimal. Average temperatures for the starting time are in the low '60s. Visit our Medical Information page to read about the best methods for maintaining proper hydration throughout the race.
