7:30 a.m.
San Diego's Balboa Park
Click here for important final event instructions.
Join us for the 2nd annual Finish Chelsea’s Run in honor of Chelsea King. The event will take place in Balboa Park where Chelsea loved to visit and where she practiced with the San Diego Youth Symphony. The event will feature a competitive 5K race and fun run/walk, family festival, children's activities, team competition, entertainment and refreshments.
Event Overview
In 2010, in the weeks following the passing of stand-out high school scholar and athlete Chelsea King, a handful of members of the San Diego running community were so affected by her loss that they asked some of their friends to meet one Saturday to finish the run Chelsea started on February 25 in Rancho Bernardo Community Park. Chelsea’s life was cut short by a heinous act in the midst of her training run on that day in that park. Word quickly spread and on the morning of March 20, 2010 more than 3,500 community members joined together to run and walk in solidarity with, and in honor of Chelsea, who they adopted as one of their own.
The original grass-roots “Finish Chelsea’s Run” was such a moving and healing experience for the community that Kelly and Brent King decided to make it an official, annual tradition in San Diego hosted by the Chelsea’s Light Foundation, the organization they founded to make positive change for children. On March 5, 2011, more than 5,400 people participated in the inaugural Finish Chelsea’s Run 5K Run/Walk in Balboa Park.
This annual run/walk is now the primary fundraiser for Chelsea’s Light Foundation Sunflower Scholarship Fund, providing scholarships for San Diego County college-bound teens who have embraced characteristics that embodied Chelsea’s academic prowess and service-over-self ethic. The 2011 run/walk raised $110,000 providing ten Sunflower Scholarships.
About Chelsea
Chelsea King’s love of life spilled over into every aspect of her life. An avid cross country runner, a gifted student and musician, a loving daughter and sister, at 17 Chelsea was well on her way to realizing her dreams. Pursuing one of her passions, Chelsea went on a training run after school on the trails at Lake Hodges not far from her Poway, California home on February 25, 2010. Chelsea was the victim of a terrible crime and it is the mission of Chelsea’s Light Foundation to unite people who are passionate about protecting our children and inspiring positive change in their community.
NEW EVENT FEATURES FOR 2012
Team Competition
As they say, the more the merrier! Become a team captain then encourage your friends, family, coworkers, etc., to join you for what will be a morning of fun to raise funds for Chelsea’s Light Foundation’s Sunflower Scholarship Fund. You’ll find it easy to recruit team members who will appreciate you including them in this great event. But in addition to that, if you have at least 50 registered team members, you’ll be provided a complimentary team tent to use as your meeting location at the event. Hang a banner from your tent making it easy for your teammates to find you on race day. In the spirit of friendly competition, awards will be presented (and bragging rights bestowed) to the largest corporate, school, community, law enforcement and military teams.
Click here to download the Team Captain's Guide.
Click here to register yourself and start your team today!
A Salute to our "First Finishers"
Our First Finishers - those who participated in our inaugural March 2011 event, are special to us and are now a member of our honorary "First Finisher" family. For the 2012 race, First Finishers who register by February 10, will receive a special commemorative edition of the event T-shirt available exclusively to First Finishers.
Pledge to be Green
In our ongoing effort to be a green event, we're asking for your support. During your registration process, please indicate that we can count on you to bring your own reusable water bottle to the event. Don't worry, we'll have plenty of water distribution locations throughout the event site and on the course for you to refill your container. We'll also be sure to send you a reminder closer to the event to help you remember your water bottle on race day.
Timing
You have the option of doing the 5K "JUST FOR FUN" or “TIMED.” If you select “TIMED” you will receive a chip providing an official race time. If you're not interested in receiving an official chip time we ask that you please choose "JUST FOR FUN." Note: All participants will be able to see a digital clock at the finish line displaying the elapsed race time.
Pre-Registration/Packet Pickup Events
Plan to pick up your bib number and T-shirt before the race at one of the Pre-Registration/Packet Pickup Events taking place at two area Road Runner Sports retail stores:
Tuesday, 2/28 • 4 to 6 p.m. • 5617 Paseo Del Norte #100, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Wednesday, 2/29 • 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. • 5553 Copley Dr., San Diego, CA 92111
Please note: One person may pick up all the bib numbers and T-shirts for a team.
Age Group Awards
Awards will be presented to the top three men and women overall finishers. Awards will also be presented to the top three men and women finishers in the following age divisions: 12 & under, 13-17, 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80 +. In addition awards will be presented to the top three male and female masters (age 40+) finishers. To qualify for these awards you must select the "TIMED" option during the registration process.
Event Day Timeline
6:30 a.m. Race day registration opens
7:30 a.m. Race starts
Immediately following the walk enjoy free refreshments, informative exhibits, fun activities and entertainment.
Driving Directions
From I-5: Take Laurel Street exit. Head east on Laurel to top of hill. Look for street parking near and around the west side of Balboa Park and in available pay lots.
From Highway 163 southbound: Take University exit. Turn right on University, then left on 4th Avenue. Once you near Balboa Park begin to look for parking. 6th Avenue will be closed from Upas to Juniper.
Parking
There is extensive coin-metered street parking on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Avenues between Upas and Fir. While there is ample parking, consider carpooling and plan to arrive in time to give yourself at least 45 minutes to get familiar with the event layout, register or pick up your bib number if you haven’t done so already, and get to the starting line in time for the 7:30 a.m. SHARP race start time.
Outlying Event Parking/Shuttles
Additional parking will be available on the east side of Balboa Park in the “Old Naval Hospital” parking lot at Park Boulevard and Presidents Way and in additional lots along Park Boulevard. Complimentary shuttle bus service from these areas will run from 6 to 7 a.m. with pick up from Presidents Way and Park Boulevard. Traffic in the area may be heavy so plan to arrive early and give yourself plenty of time. If you would prefer to walk to the start from these outlying parking areas, plan to allow at least 15 minutes for the 3/4-mile walk to the starting line located on the west side of Balboa Park. Return shuttle bus service will be available from 4th Avenue and Laurel Street from 8 to 11:15 a.m.
Entry Fees
Adults
$35 before race day ($40 day of race)
Children 12 & under
$20 before race day ($25 day of race)
Click here to register yourself online today!
Click here to download an offline entry form.
Course Map
Click here to download a PDF of the course map.
Click here to download a PDF of the Neighborhood Notification including important road closure information.
Register
Click here to register yourself online today!
Click here to download an offline entry form.
Volunteer
Click here to register yourself as a volunteer online today!
Questions?
Contact the Race Headquarters
In Motion, Inc. 760.692.2900
info@inmotionevents.com