Race Week Is Here: Everything You Need to Know for the 2026 San Jose Half Marathon

May 28, 2026

• 5,000+ runners expected to take to the streets of San Jose Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 across the Half Marathon, 8K, Speed City Mile and Game On, San Jose Kids Run
• Three days of free, family-friendly activities hosted at Santana Row, the Bay Area’s premier dining and shopping destination
• San Jose Run Week continues through Saturday with local run clubs hosting daily community runs across the city
• Saturday morning at Santana Row features the San Jose Shakeout Run with Too Legit Fitness, Yoga in the Park, the Speed City Mile and the Game On, San Jose Kids Run
• New for 2026: Half Marathon participants can take on the Speed City ¼ Mile Zone on The Alameda and the optional San Pedro Square Fun Route detour for a complimentary 21+ treat from Dr. Funk’s; O’Flaherty’s open early for fans
• Game On, San Jose joins as Kids Run partner — a youth sports and community engagement initiative of the San Jose Sports Authority and SJ26 — providing 400 free entries to local students
• Famous Mariachi Mile presented by Telemundo Bay Area returns to celebrate San Jose’s rich Mexican heritage and Chicano culture in the final stretch of the Half Marathon and 8K
• “Race to the Row” Finish Line Experience extends race day into a full Santana Row celebration with dining and shopping offers for participants with their race bib
• Event proudly benefits Special Olympics Northern California

SAN JOSE, Calif. – (May 27, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Race week has arrived in The Capital of Silicon Valley. The 2026 San Jose Half Marathon & 8K returns to Santana Row this Friday through Sunday for its 14th edition, produced by Bay Area event company Run Local^®. Over 5,000 participants are expected to take part across the Half Marathon (13.1 miles), 8K (5 miles), Speed City Mile and the new Game On, San Jose Kids Run. The event benefits Special Olympics Northern California, supporting its mission to unite people with and without intellectual disabilities and build a more connected community.

San Jose Run Week

San Jose Run Week runs May 25 through May 30 and partners with a different local run club each day, leading up to race weekend. Runs are open to all paces and abilities, and registration for the San Jose Half Marathon & 8K is not required to participate. Events include:

• Tuesday, May 26 – 6:00 p.m.: Too Legit Fitness x lululemon Run Club @ lululemon Santana Row — run and walk options over a variety of routes (@sanjoserunclub.lululemon)
• Wednesday, May 27 – 6:00 p.m.: Run Free Run Club @ San Pedro Square — various distances followed by a post-run social at O’Flaherty’s (@runfree.rc)
• Friday, May 29 – 6:00 p.m.: Goodtime Bar Run Club @ Goodtime Bar (30 Fountain Alley) — 3 miles with post-run drink specials at San Jose’s premier natural wine bar (@goodtimebarsj)
• Saturday, May 30 – 8:00 a.m.: San Jose Shakeout Run with Too Legit Fitness @ Santana Row (next to Vintage Wine Bar) — a short, fun shakeout followed by a lululemon yoga session, the Speed City Mile and the Game On, San Jose Kids Run
• Saturday, May 30 – 9:00 a.m.: Yoga in the Park @ Santana Row (next to Vintage Wine Bar) — a community stretch session hosted by Santana Row to get ready for race day

Friday, May 29 – Packet Pick-Up Happy Hour

The race weekend kicks off Friday with Packet Pick-Up at Santana Row from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Participants can grab their bibs, shop the on-site retail and enjoy the start of race weekend with happy hour offerings from Santana Row’s lineup of restaurants, alongside live music from Run Local staple DJ Jay Sumabat.

Saturday, May 30 – Shakeout, Yoga, Speed City Mile & Game On, San Jose Kids Run

Saturday opens at 8:00 a.m. with the San Jose Shakeout Run, hosted by Too Legit Fitness next to Vintage Wine Bar at Santana Row. The free community warm-up run is open to all levels, and is followed at 9:00 a.m. by Yoga in the Park, a community stretch session hosted by Santana Row.

Also at 9:00 a.m., the Speed City Mile takes over Santana Row with a ¼-mile criterium-style loop course, featuring an invite-only heat of 20 local high school athletes competing for the title.

At 10:00 a.m., the Game On, San Jose Kids Run brings the youngest athletes to the start line. Open to anyone 12 and under, the Kids Run features distances ranging from a ¼-mile (ages 5 and under) to ½-mile (ages 6–12) on a loop course through the heart of Santana Row. Check-in opens at 9:30 a.m. near Blue Bottle Coffee.

As an extension of its mission to increase access to sport, Game On, San Jose is sponsoring 400 free entries into the Kids Run. These entries are distributed to students who participated in Game On clinics across San José, providing them with a meaningful next step in their sports journey — transitioning from clinic participation to a live race experience.

Saturday will also feature continued Packet Pick-Up at Santana Row from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., with live music carrying the energy of the day into the afternoon.

Sunday, May 31 – Race Day

On Race Day, runners and walkers of all abilities will line up on Stevens Creek Boulevard before weaving through downtown San Jose neighborhoods and landmarks including the Municipal Rose Garden (named America’s Best Rose Garden), the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, the Historic Alameda District, the SAP Center and Downtown, before returning for the famous Mariachi Mile presented by Telemundo Bay Area and a Finish Line Festival at Santana Row.

Participants will be led out by local low rider group Boulevard Bombs, setting the stage for an exciting race experience. Runners can look forward to a vibrant lineup of local entertainment, with bands and DJs stationed throughout the course. A highlight of the event, the Mariachi Mile, will once again celebrate San Jose’s rich Mexican heritage and Chicano culture with an extra surge of energy in the final stretches of the race.

New for 2026: On-Course Experiences for Half Marathon Runners

Half Marathon participants have two new bonus experiences in 2026, layered onto one of the flattest, fastest courses in the country:

San Pedro Square Fun Route (Mile 8.5). Not chasing a PR? Around Mile 8.5, runners can duck off Market Street into San Pedro Square for a complimentary adult treat at Dr. Funk’s, courtesy of event partners, before jumping back on course at Santa Clara Street to finish strong. O’Flaherty’s will also be open for spectators. 21+ only — wristbands required and available at packet pick-up Friday or Saturday at Santana Row (must be present with valid ID). Last call is 9:30 a.m. The detour adds 0.2 miles to the overall race and is fully optional.

Speed City ¼ Mile Zone (Mile 9.5). At Mile 9.5, the historic Alameda becomes a personal race track. Runners hit the timing mats, run a flat-out quarter mile and then settle back into pace for the final stretch into Santana Row and the world-famous Mariachi Mile. The Speed City Zone does not add mileage to the race and is not a course detour. Top finishers will be featured post-race on @sanjosehalf, with prizes shipped to the top finishers in each category.

All participants will receive a unique Finisher’s Medal and a 100% fair trade cotton Event Shirt.

The Santana Row Finish Line Experience: “Race to the Row”

Known as the “Race to the Row,” the San Jose Half Marathon & 8K offers runners a unique opportunity to experience one of the city’s most iconic destinations in a completely different way. Beginning with Packet Pick-Up on Friday and Saturday and continuing through the finish line on Sunday, participants are encouraged to stay, recover and enjoy the energy of Santana Row.

From 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Santana Row Finish Line Festival will offer brunch, coffee, shopping, outdoor patios, live entertainment and family-friendly games. Participants with their race bib will be able to unlock food and drink specials across participating Santana Row businesses, along with early hours and shopping offers throughout the day. The full list of Race-to-the-Row specials will be available at sanjosehalfmarathon.com/santana-row-finish-line-experience ahead of the weekend.

“Race week in San Jose is always something special. What started as our reimagined hometown event in 2012 has grown into a true three-day celebration of San Jose — our streets, our neighborhoods, our culture and our incredible local partners. We’re especially excited to welcome Game On, San Jose into the family this year. Their work to expand access to sport for kids across the city aligns perfectly with what Run Local stands for, and seeing 400 of their students at the start line of the Kids Run is going to be one of the most meaningful moments of the weekend.”

— J.T. Service, Managing Partner, Run Local Ventures

The 2026 San Jose Half Marathon & 8K is proudly supported by Santana Row, Pacific Ridge Builders, Villa Sport, Game On, San José, San Jose Sports Authority, Kalos, Voli Wellness, PBfit, Fractel, Bay FC, San Jose Sharks, Telemundo Área de la Bahía, Mix 106.5 and Bay Country. The San Jose Half Marathon continues to be a celebration that is produced locally and enjoyed globally.

Race Weekend Schedule

*Times are subject to change. Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at Santana Row.

Friday, May 29

• 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Packet Pick-Up & Happy Hour at Santana Row

Saturday, May 30

• 8:00 a.m.: San Jose Shakeout Run with Too Legit Fitness (next to Vintage Wine Bar)
• 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Packet Pick-Up & Friends and Family Day
• 9:00 a.m.: Yoga in the Park (next to Vintage Wine Bar)
• 9:00 a.m.: Speed City Mile (including invite-only High School heat)
• 10:00 a.m.: Game On, San Jose Kids Run (ages 12 and under)

Sunday, May 31 – Race Day

• 7:30 a.m.: Half Marathon Start (13.1 miles)
• 8:30 a.m.: 8K Start (5 miles)
• 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Santana Row Finish Line Festival

For full event details and registration, visit sanjosehalfmarathon.com

Fast Facts: 2026 San Jose Half Marathon & 8K

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About Run Local®

Founded in 2012, Run Local’s mission is to inspire movement in your community™. It has produced events in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California, including the Oakland Marathon presented by Kaiser Permanente (March), the San Jose Half Marathon & 8K (May/June) and the Santa Barbara Half presented by HOKA & 5K (November). Each of its events celebrate the local running community, artists and the unique diversity of each region. For more information, visit runlocalevents.com and join us on social @runlocalevents.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: David Monico | david@soulfocussports.com