San Jose Half Marathon
Sunday, May 31, 2026 @ 7:30am
Get ready to run 13.1 miles on a blazing fast USATF Certified course with an electric environment from start-to-finish.
The unique start & finish layout from Santana Row will allow you to experience the famous Mariachi Mile on your way to a blazing fast finish!
Enjoy being motivated by fellow participants as you pass San Jose’s historical landmarks and neighborhoods in both directions.
You must be at least 13 years old on race day to run the half marathon.
- USATF Certified, No. CA24018TEB
- World Athletics Certified, No. USA-2024-138
NEW IN 2026 – COURSE EXPERIENCES
SAN PEDRO SQUARE FUN ROUTE
Not chasing a PR? Around Mile 8.5, duck off Market Street into San Pedro Square for a complimentary adult beverage at O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub or Dr. Funk’s, courtesy of our partners. Then jump back on course at Santa Clara Street and finish strong.
- 21+ only — wristbands required (pick yours up at packet pickup on Friday or Saturday at Santana Row)
- Last call at 9:30AM
- A short detour (+0.2mi), a cold one, and back to the race.
* Adds 0.2mi to your overall race. Optional detour.
SPEED CITY 1/4 MILE
At Mile 9.5, the historic Alameda becomes your personal race track. Hit the timing mats, run a flat-out quarter mile, then settle back into your pace for the final stretch into Santana Row and the world-famous Mariachi Mile.
San José has one of the flattest, fastest courses in the country — Speed City is your chance to find out exactly how fast.
- Look for the timing mats on The Alameda around Mile 9.5
- Top finishers featured post-race on @sanjosehalf
- Prizes shipped to top finishers after the race
Bib Pick Up & Gear Check
Please review the Packet Pick Up page for the most up-to-date information.
Gear Check is available beginning at 6:00am on Santana Row & Tatum Ln.
Course Time Limit
Runners must be aware of the multiple time limits along the course:
MILE 6 (Market St. & Santa Clara St.) – 9:10AM – Runners who do not make this time limit will be redirected. It is approximately 16mins per mile.
FINISH (Santana Row) – 11:00AM – This is the overall course time limit which is 3 hours and 30mins from the start (gun time at 7:30AM). It is approximately 16mins per mile.
At any point during the event if you are not on pace to finish by 11:00AM you may be redirected to ensure roads open on time and to maintain participant safety.
Course Detail
Start & Mile 1: You’ll get your start on Stevens Creek welcomed by special guests and led out by low riders.
Then get ready for the famous Mariachi Mile right from the start to energize you as head out in to downtown San Jose!
Mile 2: You’ll pass the “America’s Best Rose Garden” as you weave through this historic neighborhood and pass the half way point of your race.
Mile 3-5: After you loop back past the Rose Garden you’ll head toward the historic Alameda, a 200-plus year old historical corridor nicknamed the ‘Beautiful Way’. Next up is the SAP Center, home of the San Jose Sharks, prior to heading into the Downtown district.
Miles 6 & 7: We’ve been literally running events downtown for over 15 years and it wouldn’t be Run Local without hitting the main business district. Did you know that in 1850, San José was the first city to incorporate in California and also became the state’s first capitol? What is now Downtown, continues to maintain some of this history with many of the buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places including Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Today it is also home to San Jose State University and the award winning Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a collaboration between the City of San José and SJSU, as well as Farm Worker’s Plaza, which is host to a number of events throughout the year.
Miles 8 & 9: You’re now more than half way. through as you feel the energy of the participants. You’ll run past San Pedro Square and back past the Shark Tank.
Miles 10-12: It’s now flat out on The Alameda and through the Rose Garden neighborhood.
Mile 13 & Finish: Can’t get enough of the Mariachi Mile? We can’t either. Let the sounds of San Jose bring you to through to the exciting finish on Santana Row!
General Course Info
The Half Marathon will start at 7:30am. When at the starting line, please find a Pace Team member with their expected finishing time on their sign to position yourself near others running at a similar pace.
The National Anthem will take place at approximately 7:20am.
There is a 4-hour time limit for the Half Marathon. This is approximately a 16-minute pace from the gun start. Participants unable to keep up with the course time limit may be redirected as the course closes to allow regular vehicular traffic to resume.
Bike leads for the leading male and female for all race distances will be provided.
Course Regulations
The following items are not permitted on the course: Dogs or any pets, skateboards, bicycles, roller blades, baby joggers, and any other type of vehicle (other than official Marathon vehicles). These regulations are for your safety and the safety of the other participants in the race. The San Jose Half & 8K reserves the right to disqualify and remove anyone from the course who has any of the above items.
To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, the San Jose Half & 8K encourages a headphone-free environment during the running of all of our races. You must be able to hear any verbal instructions or commands from race staff.
Please be mindful of the other participants and respect the race personnel to ensure a safe and enjoyable race for everyone.
Aid Stations
All aid stations will have water, electrolytes and portable restrooms. At select aid stations, noted below we also have energy gels. To learn more about our partners please scroll down to the Nutrition Partners section of this web page. Specific aid station locations are subject to change.
Energy Gels On Course
- GU
Voli Hydration on Course
- Sunset Strawberry Lemonade
Aid Station Locations
- Mile 1: Heading & Emory
- Mile 2.25: Hadley Ave.
- Mile 5.5: Santa Clara & Barack Obama Blvd. (GU)
- Mile 7.5: Guadalupe Pkwy & W Mission St.
- Mile 9: Santa Clara & Barack Obama Blvd. (GU)
- Mile 10.75: Naglee & Dana Ave.
- Mile 12: Hedding St.
- Finish
Half Marathon Pace Team
Thanks to Too Legit Fitness you’ll enjoy one of the most well supported journey’s to the finish line!
At the starting line look for the official Pacer signers working back from the start line. You can also check-in with the pace teams at Packet Pick Up on Saturday, June 1.
Pacers will be available for the following finishing times in the Half Marathon (final pace groups subject to change): One Hour and a Half (1:30), 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:40, 2:50, 3:00, 3:15 & 3:30.
Finish & Celebration
Upon finishing each participant will receive at the finish line, at a minimum, their finisher’s medal, fruit, water, electrolytes, and healthy snacks.
At the Santana Row Finish Line Festival you’ll enjoy music, vendors and all the retailers, bars & restaurants that Santana Row has to offer!
Awards
Awards are provided in three categories: Men, Women and Non-Binary+.
Half Marathon & 8K overall awards will take place on Santana Row at the Finish Line Festival Main Stage at 9:15am.
Overall Winners
Top 3 overall in each category (Men, Women and Non-Binary+) will be honored on the Main Stage.
Age-Groups
The top 3 in each Age Group will also be eligible to receive a unique gift. Age group divisions are available for each category (Men, Women & Non-Binary+): 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+
Accessibility
Onsite registration areas, bathroom facilities, and the course are wheelchair accessible. Note that on the course, there are a few curbs to go up/down. When you register online, the registration form will ask if you are a wheelchair participant. We do have a wheelchair division. The wheelchair division starts a few minutes before the main start of the race.
For questions about accessibility or to request accommodation, please e-mail: [email protected]. Requests should be made at least two weeks prior to the event. We will do our best to accommodate you.
Bib Number Requirements
- All registered participants will receive bib numbers that must be worn on race day.
- Please fill in the necessary medical and emergency contact information on the back of the bib number with a pen or waterproof marker.
- Please do not alter the bib in any way.
- The bib must be visible and worn on the front outside of all clothing during the entire race.
- Make sure your bib number is clearly visible for the race photographers.
- Bib numbers are non-transferable and must be worn by the registrant to whom it has been assigned.
Chip Timing
B-Tags are attached to the participant’s bib and clearly marked with the corresponding bib number. You do not need to return your bib or b-tag chip.
Tips to have your time accurately recorded:
- Race bib is clearly visible on the front of the torso
- Race bib is unaltered and unmodified (Do not fold or wrinkle)
- Race bib is pinned in all four corners
- Race bib is not covered (jackets, runner belts, water bottles, etc.)
San Jose Half & 8K Collection
All participants will receive a Finisher’s Medal and 100% organic, fair-trade cotton t-shirt thanks to our partnership with Known Supply you’ll want to wear all the time!
NUTRITION
On the Course, we will have participant support throughout your race including water, energy gels provided by GU and electrolytes provided by California based Voli Wellness. You can prepare for race day by enjoying a discount on their products below.
Voli: Try their hydration products ahead of race day and receive 20% off your purchase with code RUNSANJOSE25 at checkout.
COURSE MOTIVATION
We’ll have the energy going all morning long, including the famous Mariachi Mile, and thanks to local entertainers as well as hundreds of volunteers! Go ahead and give ’em a high five and share the love!
