Rock 'n' Roll San Diego course map and elevation.

How I’d run it, stretch by stretch

Miles 1 and 2: Balboa Park, Hillcrest and North Park

Over these 2.5 miles the course climbs 130 feet and drops 55, 74 feet net up. The climb: Up to Normal Heights from mile 1.8 (+110 feet over 1.7 mi, 1.2%).

The gun goes at 6:15, and the first two miles climb gently up 6th Avenue, Robinson and Park Boulevard into Hillcrest and North Park, where the crowds are the loudest you’ll hear all day. Let them carry you without speeding you up. The road keeps rising to about mile 4, so I’d run these miles by effort and a few seconds slower than goal.

Miles 3 to 8: Normal Heights and the mesa

Over these 5.7 miles the course climbs 91 feet and drops 91, about level overall.

The climb tops out on Adams Avenue near mile 4, at about 400 feet, the highest point of the course. From there the Mountain View Drive loop through Normal Heights and East San Diego rolls gently. This is where to settle into goal pace and find a group to run with, because the next time the course asks something hard of you is mile 22.

Miles 9 to 12: back west through North Park to Mission Hills

Over these 4.4 miles the course climbs 100 feet and drops 201, 103 feet net down. The climb: Georgia Street from mile 9.2 (+56 feet over 0.2 mi, 4.4%).

The course drifts downhill back toward Hillcrest, with one short rise up Georgia Street just past mile 9 and the out-and-back on Robinson Avenue. The downhill makes goal pace feel cheap. Hold it anyway; every second you bank here costs you more on the 163 hill.

Miles 13 and 14: down through Presidio Park to Old Town

Over these 1.2 miles the course climbs 14 feet and drops 252, 236 feet net down.

The steepest stretch of the race is a descent: Presidio Drive drops about 250 feet in a little over a mile on its way down to Old Town. Shorten your stride, keep your feet quick and under you, and let gravity do the work without braking. Pounding down this hill is how quads get spent before the freeway climb.

Miles 14 to 16: the San Diego River path

Over these 2.5 miles the course climbs 22 feet and drops 33, 11 feet net down.

Flat, narrow and quiet: the river path to Sunset Cliffs Boulevard has the fewest spectators on the course, often under the marine layer. Tuck into a group and take your fuel here, on the flat, where it’s easy to drink. If you went out too fast, this is where you’ll start to feel it.

Miles 17 to 21: SeaWorld, Morena Boulevard and Friars Road

Over these 5.2 miles the course climbs 122 feet and drops 79, 44 feet net up. The climb: Friars Road from mile 19.5 (+45 feet over 0.9 mi, 1.0%).

The long flat middle of the second half runs past SeaWorld, up Morena Boulevard and east along Friars Road, which rises slowly from about mile 19.5. It’s the stretch where pace drifts without your noticing, so check your effort every mile. Treat the gentle Friars Road rise as a preview of what’s coming.

Miles 22 and 23: up State Route 163

Over these 1.9 miles the course climbs 239 feet and drops 41, 199 feet net up. The climb: The 163 hill from mile 22.3 (+226 feet over 1.0 mi, 4.2%).

Up the ramp at mile 21.5 and onto the freeway, and then the race’s one real climb: about 230 feet in a mile, on a banked road, at the worst possible point. Run it by effort, not pace, and expect to give back 20 to 30 seconds a mile. Stay on the flattest part of the road to spare your ankles from the camber. Everything after the bell at the top is downhill.

Miles 24 to the finish: down 163 through Balboa Park to downtown

Over these 2.8 miles the course climbs 24 feet and drops 227, 206 feet net down.

The freeway drops about 200 feet through Balboa Park’s canyon, under the Cabrillo Bridge and into downtown. Let the descent carry you back to goal pace, but don’t throw everything at it on tired legs. The last mile is flat city blocks on 11th Avenue, B Street, 5th Avenue and Ash Street, and that’s where to empty the tank.