Carlsbad 5000

The full day of running culminates with the men's and women's Skechers Performance Elite Invitationals,[2] both of which feature professional fields competing for a substantial cash purse.

In addition to the 5k races, there is a dedicated event for kids-only, the Junior Carlsbad,[3] with distances ranging from a one mile fun run down to a diaper dash.

The weekend also includes a free health and wellness expo, elite athlete Q&A, and post-race Pizza Port beer garden.

In 2019, Kenyan Edward Cheserek won the men's elite invitational in a time of 13:29, which equalled the official IAAF record set earlier that same year.

[7] American Steve Scott not only helped design the course in 1986 but won the inaugural race en route to three straight victories.

Amateurs running along Carlsbad Boulevard at the 2011 event.
Ethiopian Meseret Defar is a four time winner and the current 5 km record holder.