There’s a first time for everything!

The inaugural San Diego Half Marathon was Sunday, March 11.

It was a beautiful, overcast morning (great for a run), when 5,000 runners from San Diego – and across the country – came to participate in this epic 13.1-mile run that toured downtown San Diego.  The race started at Petco Park, where the San Diego Padres play, and traversed through historic downtown, starting in the Gaslamp District, then on to NTC Park at Liberty Station, up Washington street, through Hillcrest, alongside Balboa Park, and then to the epic finish inside Petco Park, where many cheering friends and family were reeling in their runners.

Registration fees for the race went towards community service projects in San Diego.

Racers also raised money for additional charities that are important to them, such as the Make a Wish Foundation of San Diego, The National Foundation for Autism Research, Huntington’s disease Society of America, and San Diego Police Officers Association for Widows and Orphans Fund.  After the run, participants could hang out around downtown, and relax in Petco Park, listening to the band Lifehouse.

If you’ve wanted to donate to San Diego Coastkeeper, and haven’t been able to find the cash. Consider signing up for a running event like this one and set a fundraising goal. Your friends and family are sure to support your running endevors, and it will help you support clean water in San Diego.

I highly recommend you check out this race next year!  Or, you can even check out active.com for more 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, or even full marathons in the San Diego area throughout this spring and summer. The earlier you race, the sooner you can help Coastkeeper!

And if you’ve never raced before, just remember, there is a first time for everything (The San Diego Half Marathon was my first half marathon)!  Get out there and run!