Local Residents Lead the GOVX San Diego Half Marathon & 5K

March 25, 2024

11 of the 17 podium finishers hail from San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The GOVX San Diego Half Marathon & 5K wrapped up its 13th annual event Sunday morning, where runners from around the nation and the world gathered in Downtown San Diego. Participants from as far as South Africa ran in the event, but local runners still ruled the course, taking nine of the 15 podium spots for both the men’s, women’s and non-binary divisions.

Jackson Friesth, the men’s half marathon champion and overall first-place finisher, completed the 13.1 miles in 1:10:29, followed by the men’s half marathon second-place finisher, Skip Carmichael. San Diego resident Eddie Ramos took the third-place spot for the men’s half marathon. The women’s half marathon course was led by Paula Lamont, who finished with a time of 1:18:06. Second and third-place finishers for the women’s half marathon were Maria Jose Ruiz Solorzano and Bridie Robillard. Both Lamont and Robillard are San Diego residents. San Diego residents also claimed the top two spots in the non-binary division. Lee Laydon finished with a time of 2:24:50, followed by Elsa Bejarano and Michelle Flores.

Local residents swept the 5K division, with all men’s, women’s and non-binary podium finishers hailing from San Diego County. The men’s 5K division was led by Abraham Morales, who finished with a time of 16:50, followed by second and third-place finishers, Brandon Pintor Martinez and Edgar Salazar. Meredith Pathria led the women’s division with a time of 21:12. Margi Bell and Hayley Grande came in shortly after to claim second and third place in the women’s 5K. Doreen Karp took first place in the non-binary division with a time of 11:24, followed by second-place finisher Olympia Taggart.

The half marathon took runners through five miles of waterfront, four historic communities, three parks, two miles of downtown streets and finishes in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. The 5K provided a flat and fast course all in downtown San Diego.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better race day. While the temperatures were a bit crisp for San Diego, our runners arrived in the sunshine at the finish line,” said Christine Adams, CEO of In Motions Events. “The energy of all the participants and spectators made for a great experience for everyone out there on race day, on or off the course!”

This was the first year that GOVX has served as the event’s title sponsor. The partnership showcases GOVX’s investment in this community and brings additional focus to the event’s support of the military, first responders, emergency medical professionals and their families who are very predominant community members in the San Diego area. Among the thousands of participants in the race was GOVX’s own CEO, Alan Cole, as well as his son. Both took part in the half marathon.

“At GOVX, we’re incredibly proud to be a San Diego company and we always look for ways to support and participate in this community that we call home,” said Aaron Pelander, GOVX VP of Brand Marketing. “It’s an honor to have the GOVX name associated with an event like the San Diego Half Marathon & 5K, and working with the team at In Motion Events has been a pleasure. We’re already looking forward to sponsoring and participating in next year’s race.”

The race is a part of the In Motion Events SoCal Triple Crown race series, which also includes the Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, and the America’s Finest City Half Marathon & 5K. This trio offers a variety of courses and scenery throughout San Diego, providing athletes with a fun and unique running experience in distinct parts of the city and county. Athletes who participate in each race in the same calendar year, no matter the distance they participate in, will be awarded a SoCal Triple Crown medal to celebrate their accomplishment of completing the race series. Registration for America’s Finest City Half Marathon & 5K, the final race of the series, is open.

For more information about the GOVX San Diego Half Marathon & 5K, www.inmotionevents.com, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT GOVX SAN DIEGO HALF MARATHON & 5K

The GOVX San Diego Half Marathon is a scenic course that will take runners through five miles of waterfront, four historic communities, three parks, two miles of downtown streets and finishes in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. The 5K is a flat and fast course all in downtown San Diego. The race is produced by In Motion Events, a full-service, turnkey event marketing and management firm based in San Marcos. The family-owned and operated business has been working with Southern California-based races and events since 1981. In Motion Events’ mission is to produce the very best running and walking events possible that are a credit to their company, to their sponsors and the community in which they are held. For more information on In Motion Events, visit www.InMotionEvents.com.

###