Carlsbad 5000

Carlsbad 5000
A fun runner completing the race in 2004
Date	April
Location	Carlsbad, California United States
Event type	Road
Distance	5K
Established	1986
Official site	Carlsbad 5000

The Carlsbad 5000 is an annual road running event over five kilometers (3.1 mi) which is typically held in April in Carlsbad, California, United States.

The event was first held in 1986 and is organized by the Competitor Group (formerly Elite Racing). The day's program includes the elite level and amateur 5 km races, a junior Carlsbad race for younger runners, one of the most competitive masters divisions and a health and fitness exposition. The 2010 edition attracted over 10,000 participants which were split almost evenly between the genders. Roughly half of the fun runners were over 40 years of age that year and the race attracts a particularly wealthy demographic – 44% of entrants in 2010 earned over $100,000 per year, reflecting high income levels in the city.

The race start point is at Grand Avenue and Jefferson Street in Carlsbad. After running up the hill to Carlsbad Boulevard, the course follows a south-to-north loop along Carlsbad Boulevard. The southern turn around is at Tamarack Avenue, the junction at Grand Avenue is past the half way mark. The north turn around is about Mountain View Street, near the Army and Navy Academy, then upon returning south, heads to its end point downhill on Carlsbad Village Drive at State Street, just past the railroad tracks near the Coaster station. The course is sanctioned and certified by USA Track and Field, the governing body for the sport.

The course records of 12:59.5 minutes for men (set by Sammy Kipketer in 2000) and 14:46 minutes for women (set by Meseret Defar in 2006) are the fastest times ever recorded for the 5 km road distance. These are recognised as world bests by the IAAF, and world road records by the Association of Road Racing Statisticians.