Finish Chelsea’s Run 5K Run/Walk

Running/​walking for a great cause. I feel this really brings the community together and is a day of celebration. I love seeing families running and getting out there.

Such a powerful event. Not only are the runners out there to finish what Chelsea didn’t get to finish, but there is an overwhelming sense of positivity and encouragement in this race. It’s not about winning or losing, though you can run it seriously if you register for tracking, but it is an amazing opportunity to join with your community to support an organization that is doing so much good in the world. Seeing the scholarship recipient plaques is definitely a great moment. And getting a high five from the King family as you cross the finish line is a really moving experience. This was my first year running, and the course was really great, but that last hill was brutal. :)

I love this run — such an inspirational community event. I’ve gone to every run since they’ve started, and it continues to get bigger and bigger. It’s definitely not about the race here, it’s about coming together and honoring Chelsea and her family. This is the one race that I absolutely do every year and will continue to do as long as it goes on.
There have been 2 different courses, one being significantly easier than the other. The course that actually goes on the freeway is a lot harder because there’s a hill or two, but they seem to switch between the two every few years.
My family and I love that Brent and Kelly are always out on the course, high-​fiving people who run by and cheering everyone on. It’s amazing to see them in such high spirits and carrying on the light from their daughter.
The start of this race isn’t the most organized, so if you’ve got a decent pace (8 minutes and under) I would recommend trying to get towards the starting line otherwise you’ll be doing a LOT of dodging. Maybe one year they’ll actually have to separate the group into different corrals once it gets too big for the way they have it organized now!
Also love that it’s downtown San Diego near balboa park, so you can go grab breakfast afterwards (if you haven’t eaten too many bananas). Looking forward to next year!

This is really a community event. I went to Poway High with Chelsea, and I love how there is this 5k to honor her memory. The run isn’t too difficult, and it is very crowded.

This is not a runners «race.» It just isn’t. There are far too many folks out there to support the wonderful cause thus there is tons of traffic to avoid. They make an attempt at corralling runners in waves, but it wasn’t the most organized and most people failed to pay attention.
That being said, it’s a great run. The course is tough (hills!) but nice and everyone on the course is incredibly encouraging. They were cheering on other runner and thanking volunteers, it was incredibly uplifting. Also uplifting was the kick off (this year done by Amber Dubois’ little sister) and the speech made by Mr. and Mrs. King. Mr. King said he ran the course that morning, just he and his daughter… that really hit my heart because she was taken too soon, and running was one of her passions. The quotes all along the course that she loved just added to the spirit that was so very present on this day.
RIP Chelsea and Amber, I know your spirits were with us yesterday. Your light continues to shine.

I live/​grew up in San Diego and I remember hearing the news of Chelsea King and following her story very closely. I was heartbroken when they finally found her. As a mother of 4 her story hit too close to home. I am glad for the new laws that have been put in effect but sorry that something so tragic had to happen in order for people to see what needed to be done.
This was my first ever 5k!
I knew parking might be a nightmare (it’s Balboa…) so I made sure to get there early and I was able to park down the street. Everything was very well organized. Picking up my racing bib was very fast and getting my t-​shirt & shoelaces was easy!
They had lots of vendor/​team booths and lots of information about Chelsea’s Law & the Chelsea’s Light Foundation and of course tables & buckets full of large beautiful Sunflower’s for $ 1!
The entire experience was just amazing. Beautiful scenery & amazing architecture, we even got to run on the 163 North!
Even ¼ mile or so you would run past volunteers who were holding signs that had inspirational quotes on them, people cheering you on, a live BAND, etc.
The hill at the end was hard for me but there were volunteers and people cheering us on and high-​fiving us! You knew when you heard the drums that you were almost to the finish line!
I loved this race. I loved everything about it — the people, the cause, the event itself.
I would definitely do it again. But this time, I will wear sunscreen… even though it’s 7:30am it’s still good ol’ sunny SoCal!

I’ve done a few 5k run’s in the past, but this one is definitely one of my favorites. I woke up this morning nervous about doing a 5k since I have been lagging on my running lately. But we show up here at 630a and the atmosphere is very uplifting. About six thousand people here all supporting this great cause.
The course itself is an interesting one. You traverse throughout balboa park and get to see the park right in the early hours of daylight (even though you have tunnel vision during your run). Before the race, people built up the last part of the race, saying that there is a brutal hill. They were right. It was intense, my limbs were already getting tired before scaling this hill. And the hill just kept on going and going. But at this point, you can hear cheers of the crowd, the roar of the marching drums, and the fellow runners cheering everyone up the hill.
«You are done with the hill once you hear the drums!» A spectator exclaimed. And when I heard those drums, I just let loose and gave it my all, as did the runners around me.
Its always great when the community comes together for one common purpose. Yes it was a race, but everyone encouraged each other, everyone gave it their everything, and at the end, nothing but smiles and proud faces.
I recommend every join this race next year, It’s one you won’t forget!

i can’t even begin to describe how amazing, incredible and inspirational this particular 5K is. it tears at your heartstrings because of what happened to chelsea.
the mood of this run was much different than other events that i have participated in. i remember the sun was bright, weather was perfect… there were SO many booths, buckets of sunflowers everywhere… so many high school girls (many of whom seemed to know chelsea, or had gone to high school with her) were there. it was weird because it was so… solemn? calm? there was a sadness lingering in the air. you could tell this girl was loved. and is still loved.
it was the kind of run that really brought everyone together. i’m not saying that the komen breast cancer run or kaiser runs /​other runs don’t hit close to home, but this one seemed to really pull the san diego community together.
am i being too cheesy? it’s really how it was. there was a board to write inspirational things to chelsea… we bought sunflowers at the end of the race. it was so happy and sad at the same time!
okay anyway… the run itself was ridiculously hard for me. the highway ramp near the end of the race was INSANE. i don’t really like the path they used for it because the highway smells particularly bad as well. i feel like a better route could have been chosen… maybe near the beach or something, but… balboa park of course is always nice and has a lot of parking.
i would do it again if i still lived in san diego.

What a wonderful event this was! I am speaking from the experience of being a volunteer. In the old days, I would have done this 5K in no time. Nowadays, I sit on the sidelines waiting for a knee replacement, but I still get around okay. That I did this Saturday for Chelsea’s beautiful memory. I volunteered to be a sign holder.
Bright and early, the west side of Balboa Park was a bundle of energy with runners and walkers warming up. Lots of pep talks going on. Parking was a nightmare, as usual but everyone seemed to be in a great mood and I loved the feeling of comradery and good karma that floated in the morning air.
A big white van took the volunteers to all the stations they were assigned and I was one of the first dropped off in the Prado area next to the El Cid Campeador statute. I received strict instructions to make sure all participants turned right and continued running down past the Organ Pavilion area. I was also told to watch for «cutters» who might take the corner and cut in front of other runners.
Well, lo and behold, it was a good thing I was there because quite a few hasty people thought they could shave a second or two off their time by taking a quick step around me. Not happening. I made sure to point them nicely in the right direction. Later on walking back to the Festival area, I looked over the Cabrillo Bride and marveled at the line of runners inching their ways through the trials of the park and along the closed Interstate 163 North.
It was such a beautiful and moving sight and I just know that Chelsea King must be so proud of this event and the monies it will now be raising for the Sunflower Scholarships.
Parents: this is a great, family-​friendly event to bring the kids too. The 5K run/​walk is not so exhausting that the whole family can’t participate. After the run, there was music, booths, free food and drink samples, and my favorite-​a painting area where people could decorate clay pots that might someday hold growing sunflowers. Finish Chelsea’s Run is beyond 5 Unilocal STARS-​I would give it 100 STARS, if I could– for awesomeness.

An awesome experience. Having participated in many Fun Runs/​Mud Runs/​Triathlons, I have to say that the aura surrounding this event topped them all. The route was quite scenic if you took a look around while cruising down the course. The run on the 163 was a nice touch. I think I may have to make this an annual event!