Sri Chinmoy San Diego 6-hour Race

For the first 4.5 hours, athletes will traverse the 5-mile loop along the lake, moving in a clockwise direction. Around the 4:45 mark, we will open a smaller out-and-back loop (~1 mile) which athletes will exclusively use for the final hour of the race. Depending on pace, some athletes will start this smaller loop shortly before the 5-hour mark whereas others may begin it considerably later (e.g., at 5h 40 min). This switch to the smaller loop is done to ensure that athletes have the best chance of completing as many miles as they can in the time allotted.

Each athlete's final race result will be the sum of the mileage completed on both loops. For example, one runner might complete 6 big loops (30 miles) and 5 small loops (5 miles) for a total result of 35 miles in the 6-hour race. Another runner/walker might complete 4 big loops and 4 small loops for a total of 24 miles. A recreational walker might 3 big loops and one small loop for a total of 16 miles.

Once 5 hours has elapsed on the race clock, all participants will begin running/walking on the small loop (even if their pace is fast enough to complete another 5 miles in under an hour).

View the 2023 Course Map here. We're still working on the 2024 course map.

The course is beautiful and unique--immersed in sights and sounds of nature and consisting of several "fingers" rather than just a round loop. Please note that all athletes must stay on the asphalt surface that encircles the lake. Although there is an off-road dirt trail at the lake edge, this is unmeasured and off-limits for the 6-hour race. Any athletes who go off the certified course will be disqualified.

The asphalt loop will be shared with runners, walkers and bicyclists who are not part of the 6-hour race, cars with a permit are allowed on the road but typically there are very few and they're required to drive slowly. There is plenty of space along the loop. A yellow center line divides the road. Regardless of what direction runners/walker/bicyclists are heading, they must stay to the right of the yellow line. The 6-hour race athletes will be running in a clockwise direction, hugging the lake.

There are permanent wooden markers located every 1/4 mile of the lake loop. Although these markers won't correspond exactly to our race course (because the start/finish line is in a different place), they're helpful, encouraging indicators of how far you've gone on each loop.

At the present time, there is a construction project underway near the pier. This has caused a very small detour on the running path (which we have accounted for in the lap distance calculations).

Lake Miramar has 4 permanent restrooms near the bait shop and pier. There is running water there, including a water fountain on the exterior of the building. There are also several portable toilets located along the 5-mile loop. You'll pass all of these on the course.

The main staging area for the race is on the dam at the west end of the lake--about 1/3 mile from the entrance to the lake on Scripps Lake Drive. Please allow enough time to walk to the staging area and still have time to check in, get your race bib, store your gear, etc. The race will begin promptly at 7:00 a.m. Parking for the event is off-site but not too far away. More specific parking instructions will be sent to registered participants (and are also in the Transportation and Parking tab below).

The course will feature three aid stations--one large one at the main staging area and two smaller ones spaced along the course.

The main aid station will feature water, Skratch electrolyte drink, and a buffet of food items suitable for the event. (fruit, snacks, sandwiches, etc.)  The smaller stations will serve water and Skratch and some simple food items.

Each aid station will have a trash receptacle for cups (or wrappers, gel packets, etc.). Please dispose all items ONLY IN THE TRASH RECEPTACLES. No items of any kind should be thrown onto the road or into bushes along the course.

At the main staging area there will be a section for your personal gear bags--please note it is not a big area! You will be able to access this area on any/every lap. We will have a few chairs there for athletes to briefly rest, adjust shoes, etc. We will endeavor to keep this location as secure as is reasonable but please do not leave valuable items there. Be sure to put your food items in a hard container so that the birds and chipmunks don't get to them while you're out on the course!

Our race has a designated physician (experienced in athletic events) who will be present on the course if medical attention is required. in the case of a medical emergency, we will call 911.

We trust that you can manage your own first aid such as blister care, cramps, etc. but of course we'll be there to help if needed.

Once an entry has been processed, we are unable to issue a full refund if you cancel. If you notify us by Nov. 1 and your place is taken by someone on the waitlist, however, we will issue a partial refund. We will not be able to refund any entries cancelled after Nov. 1.

Entry is open to runners and walkers age 18 to 99. Participants aged 17 and under require parental permission (please contact Race Director at 619-251-6321).

if you do not plan to complete the full 6 hours, but would like to participate for a shorter time (or a specific distance), this is fine. Please inform us when you stop running/walking--tell the Race Director or a counter at the main staging area.

For example, let's say you want to complete a marathon and you reach this distance (26.2 miles) in 4 hours and 45 minutes. Please walk back to the staging area and inform the counters or Race Director that you'll not be doing any additional laps. If you cannot walk to that area, please call 619-251-6321 to inform us that you're no longer on the course.