What's New

We have increased our elite prize money by $5,300! Hoping to attract the best elite field ever to run this incredibly fast and scenic course!

Having lost the sponsorship of Bubba Gump, the Run Forrest Run 5K is now the Pacific Grove Lighthouse 5K.  Details to be finalized, but both the 5K and 3K will begin and end in Pacific Grove. Stay tuned...

Impact Magazine is once again offering prize money ($250 each) to the top Canadian male and female runners.

In 2010 we have eliminated the 10-Mile Walk.  The Half Marathon is open to both runners and walkers.  Additionally, the course time limit has returned to 3 1/2 hours as opposed to 4 hours in 2009.

In 2010, IMPACT Magazine will be offering prize money to the top Canadian male and female runners.

For an overview click HERE
For Monterey street closures click HERE
For Pacific Grove street closures click HERE
For a map of Monterey Peninsula street closures click HERE

2009 will see the return of gender specific shirt sizing for your ASICS technical event shirt.  You asked for this, and we listened!

2009 will also see a slight course change from 2008.  The start will remain the same (on Del Monte near Figueroa), but we eliminated the out and back section on Del Monte right after the race start.  Instead, runners and walkers will make the right turn onto Camino Aguajito.  The other change is in downtown Pacific Grove where runners, once on Lighthouse Avenue, will go as far as the Pacific Grove Post Office and then make a right turn onto Central Avenue. After that, a left onto 17th Street.  The turnaround will be at the Asilomar Beach area. We are planning on this being the permanent course.

Finally, in 2009 we will implement a 10 corral wave start with 1-2 minutes between waves.  Your corral letter is dependent on your predicted finish time.  All 10-Mile walkers are in the last corral.  A map of the start area will be available in September.

In accordance with the guidelines of USATF and the Road Runner's Club of America, we are strongly recommending that you do not use Ipods or other audio devices during the event.  Choosing to use an audio device will NOT result in disqualification, but you will compromise your safety and that of others by wearing a headset. If wearing an Ipod or other audio device results in you being unable to hear verbal instructions or commands, or approaching vehicles or course marshals on bicycles, you may be asked to relinquish the device and face disqualification.  We ask that you take responsibility and use good judgement if you opt to wear an audio device; the safety of our participants is our first priority.

We truly hope you'll opt to leave your headsets at home and instead let the incredible scenery and music we provide on the course serve as your motivation and inspiration.

Please not that we will NOT be using ChampionChips as our 2008 timing devices!  In keeping with technological advances in event timing, Race Central (our race timing company) is now using the ChronoTrack system. The traditional ChampionChip will be replaced by a D-Tag.  Advantages to the runner include...

    A disposable tag
    Accurate timing
    No fees for lost or unreturned chips
    Less pre- and post-race hassles
    A lighter, less intrusive tag that is easier to attach to your shoe
    No pre-race chip scan needed and there is no post race turn in

For more information on the ChronoTrack D-Tag, click HERE.

While we love the gender specific shirt sizing as much as many of you, it has proved too difficult to secure current sizing for all our participants since we have to order our shirts several months in advance of race day.  As a result, we are returning to unisex sizing.  This will mostly affect the sizes for our female entrants, so be sure to check the shirt sizing chart on the Half Marathon event information page to ensure that you get the size you want.