Marathon Off and Running

More than 6,000 runners from around the world are expected to participate in the San Diego Marathon this Sunday in Carlsbad. This is the first year the annual event is being held in North County.

The Sunday morning event will begin and end at Plaza Camino Real shopping center. It includes a 26.2-mile marathon, a 13.1-mile half marathon and a 4-mile walk.

The 26.2-mile run begins at 7:30 a.m. near the Sears department store in Plaza Camino Real. It follows an urban course through downtown Carlsbad to Palomar Airport Road to Car Country Carlsbad, through La Costa and back to the shopping center.

The 13.1-mile half-marathon begins at 7 a.m. and follows a similar course beginning and ending at the shopping center.

A four-mile walk will leave at 7:45 a.m. from tents located at the west end of the shopping center’s parking lot.

Registration for the events will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the San Diego Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. There will be no registration the day of the event.

Cost is $40 for the marathon, $23 for the half marathon and $17 for the walk. Proceeds will benefit local charities charities.

Just under 100 runners participated in the first San Diego Marathon hosted by the San Diego Track Club in 1954 at Mission Bay. The event moved to Carlsbad this year as part of a five-year agreement for the city to host the race. Sunday’s events will be broadcast live on KGTV Channel 10.