With the goal of bringing together more than 5,000 runners from both sides of the border, the third edition of the San Diego-Tijuana Binational Race will take place on October 25.
Baja California’s Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Ángel Badiola Montaño, underscored the importance of such events in fostering daily cooperation and cross-cultural exchange.
“San Diego and Tijuana are one great region. We are bound by our communities, our culture, our traditions, our history, and above all, our commitment to working together for shared well-being. The Binational Race embodies that spirit perfectly: a border that does not divide, but rather finds ways for us to recognize each other,” he said.
The San Diego-Tijuana Binational Race offers three race categories to accommodate a wide range of participants. The half-marathon begins in San Diego and covers 21.1 kilometers (13 miles), ending at Playas de Tijuana. A second category follows the same route over 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), while a third, 10-kilometer (6 miles) course takes place entirely within Baja California territory.
The half-marathon route starts at the western end of Las Americas Premium Outlets, moves along Camino de la Plaza, and turns onto Dairy Mart Road. At kilometer 5, runners enter Mexican landscapes, and by kilometer 10, they cross the border through the San Ysidro–El Chaparral port of entry before continuing to the finish line at Playas de Tijuana.
The 12-kilometer race shares the initial California segment, while the 10-kilometer race starts at the Sánchez Taboada Boulevard bridge and winds through Tijuana toward the Pacific Ocean.
In addition to the races, the event will feature a runner’s expo, sponsor activations, and a finish-line festival at Playas de Tijuana. These activities are designed to bring together participants, families, and visitors, while celebrating the region’s cultural fusion through informational displays and highlights from Baja California’s seven tourist destinations.
“When an individual crosses the border to compete, when a family visits the region, when our youth share in an experience, or when our tourism sectors join forces, we are strengthening a region with a distinct identity and a remarkable capacity to generate shared well-being,” added Badiola Montaño.
Registration remains open at www.binationalrace.com. U.S. participants can also find transportation options on the website to ensure their families can enjoy the finish-line festivities in Tijuana.
About the San Diego-Tijuana Binational Race
Since its inaugural edition, the San Diego-Tijuana Binational Race has been much more than a sporting event. The route between San Diego and Tijuana stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between two dynamically connected cities, while also promoting sports tourism, healthy lifestyles, and binational cooperation.
The event also offers a platform to showcase the cultural and economic wealth of the Cali-Baja region, welcoming national and international visitors through an experience that blends sport, tourism, and community engagement.
As such, the third edition of the San Diego-Tijuana Binational Race reaffirms a vision of collaboration in which sport becomes a vehicle for strengthening bonds and celebrating a binational region whose communities continuously enrich the social, cultural, and economic fabric on both sides of the border.
For those looking to extend their stay, the website www.bajacalifornia.travel provides a comprehensive guide to routes, attractions, and experiences that promise to delight the entire family.
