Annual Pasadena Race Renamed ‘Rose Bowl Half Marathon & 5K,’ Scheduled for January

Pasadena’s traditional half-marathon and 5K race is scheduled to proceed in January under a new name to reflect the iconic finish line at the Rose Bowl.

The Rose Bowl Half Marathon & 5K, known in years past as the Pasadena Half-Marathon & 5K, is set for Jan. 17, according to the McCourt Foundation, which runs the event.

“We are thrilled to announce the change,” McCourt Foundation President and Chairman Brian McCourt said in a written statement. “The Rose Bowl Stadium is arguably what makes this race so special for the thousands of runners who participate every year. The opportunity to finish on the 50-yard line of the field is what makes this race such an amazing experience.”

The course will remain essentially the same as previous years, beginning at the Rose Bowl and traversing the Colorado Street Bridge before heading through Old Pasadena and heading back to the Rose Bowl, organizers said.

“The Rose Bowl Half Marathon & 5K is the only running event to finish on the field of the historic Bowl Stadium,” the McCourt foundation statement said. “Runners enter the stadium gates through the home team tunnel and run onto the field to finish at the 50-yard line.”

A quarter-mile kids’ run is also planned. All participants who complete their races will receive a finisher medal.

Post-race activities, including a Finish Festival, live entertainment, a beer garden and vendors, will be open to the public.

Although the planned event is still more than six months out, organizers were considering the potential impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,  McCourt Foundation’s Senior Director of Operations Stacy Embretson said.

“In making this announcement, we are mindful of COVID-19 circumstances,” she said. “We are hopeful that the event can be staged as per previous years. If not, we are planning for a number of contingencies to hold the race with lesser athlete densities and greatly enhanced safety protocols. Participant safety is always our top priority.”

More information is available online at the McCourt Foundation’s website, mccourtfoundation.org.