The Carlsbad 5000…I have some weird memories here. In 2022, I ran about a month after having the flu. I felt awful, and it was one of the worst races of my life. Little did I know that that was just the start of a period in my life when running was not it. All of that to say, the bar was fairly low for a “good race” at the Carlsbad 5000.
I’ve run the race since. In 2024, I ran a 20:42. Since getting sick several years ago, I’ve never really been able to find that fitness I had before. I’ve been slowly chipping away, though.
Previous Carlsbad 5000 results:
Before the Carlsbad 5000:
I thought I was excited for the Carlsbad 5000, but when leaving Palmdale the day before, I realized I hadn’t signed up. I knew that would be kind of expensive, but luckily there were still sign-ups available. I ended up spending $96 for a 5K…LOL…The drive down was uneventful. We were tired and got to bed kind of early.
The day before, I didn’t feel great. My legs just felt tired and achy, and I was not really feeling “running fast.” I really focused on relaxing and recovery.
The Carlsbad 5000 has four separate races (and two elite races later in the day). The schedule goes: masters women, masters men, under 40 women, and under 40 men. Since I was in the third race, I try to get there early because parking issues can start to build up by the later races.
Carlsbad 5000 Race:
As soon as I knew it, it was time to go. The Carlsbad 5000 course is not easy. It goes downhill for 1.5 miles, then back uphill for 1.5 miles. The hill isn’t super steep, but going uphill at mile 2 of a 5K is never pleasant, and you don’t really have anything to look forward to (like a downhill) after halfway. The Carlsbad 5000 is a fast race because fast people come, not because it’s a fast course.
I thought I started in a good position, but I was too far back and spent the first mile weaving and trying to pass people. It probably kept me from starting incredibly fast, and I ran a 6:17 downhill mile. It ended up being comically windy, and I tried to tuck in with people as best I could. I ran a 6:28 second mile and thought: hmmm, sub-20 could be on the cards. Then I remembered we still had to go back uphill.
Luckily, for the last mile we had mostly a tailwind. I tried to push, but my legs didn’t have it. I had some really good workouts the day before and probably overdid training last week because my legs just felt dead. I didn’t have the typical “push” but just kept trucking uphill. My last mile was 6:38.
I ended up crossing the Carlsbad 5000 in 20:12. It was my fastest Carlsbad 5000 time by 30 seconds.
Carlsbad 5000 Thoughts:
While I had hoped to be faster at the Carlsbad 5000, my legs felt tired, and I just didn’t have it. I’m still happy with the time because four years ago, when I ran, I don’t think I ever saw myself running that fast again.
What is the Carlsbad 5000 course like?
The Carlsbad 5000 course is an out-and-back along the coast on Carlsbad Boulevard. The first half is downhill for about 1.5 miles, and then you turn around and come back uphill. It’s not steep, but it drags. The ocean views are great, but most people are not thinking about that once they hit mile two.
How much elevation gain does the Carlsbad 5000 have?
The Carlsbad 5000 has roughly 50 feet of elevation gain. It sounds small, but it doesn’t run flat because of how it’s distributed. You get a net downhill start, then have to pay it back the entire way home.
Is the Carlsbad 5000 a fast 5K?
It can be, but it depends how you run it. The Carlsbad 5000 is a fast race because fast people come. If you go out too hard on the downhill, the uphill second half will catch up quickly. A lot of fast times come from strong fields and good conditions, not because the course is easy from start to finish.
What time does the Carlsbad 5000 start?
The race is split into multiple heats throughout the morning, including masters and open divisions. Start times vary depending on your assigned race, so most runners end up checking their specific heat rather than just one start time. The “regular” people start between 7-9:30 whereas the elites start around noon.
Is the Carlsbad 5000 worth it?
If you like competitive 5Ks, yes. The depth of the field changes how the race feels, and it ends up being more of a real effort than a casual local 5K.
You can see Strava here and more race recaps here.
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Questions for you:
Have you run the Carlsbad 5000?
What is your favorite 5k race?