Mariachis played as runners crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and headed south under the bridge bearing a colorful Tijuana sign.
Early Sunday, about 1,500 people participated in the Binational Race — which included a half marathon from Las Americas Premium Outlets in San Ysidro to Playas de Tijuana as well as a 10K race exclusively for runners in Tijuana.
It was a memorable experience for runners from this border region and beyond, and for some, it was a great excuse to cross into Tijuana for the first time.
“I’ve never been to Mexico before,” said Ty Lopez from Spring Valley, who finished first with a 1:15:10 time. “I’ve just never had any events down here … But now I’m here,” added the 26-year-old, who has run 5K and 10K races previously. Sunday was his first half marathon.
“I was hoping to just kind of see how this transborder thing was going to be, and I happened to be out front,” he said. “It was really fun.”
Mary Rose Bernal was the first woman and eighth overall to finish the half marathon with a time of 1:30:27. The San Diego resident said she had been training for the race since she and her running club members first heard about it.
“Just the fact of seeing the border felt monumental,” said Bernal, 27. “Running up the hill and being able to see both sides from the top was very cool.” It was also her first time visiting Tijuana.
The first edition of the race was organized by three longtime runners and friends who came up with the idea of a cross-border half marathon during the pandemic. Co-founders Valeria Rivera, Benjamín Castillo and Paulina Gallegos wanted to celebrate the binational culture and bring together runners from both countries.
They then worked on a plan that included coordinating with officials on both sides of the border and getting the necessary permits for the race to take place.
The race started at 6:30 a.m. after the national anthems of both countries were sung from the starting line at Las Americas Premium Outlets. To enter Tijuana, runners used the far right lanes at the El Chaparral vehicular border crossing. They were not stopped on their way into Mexico as organizers asked them to keep their bibs visible at all times.
On Tijuana’s International Avenue, which runs parallel to a section of the U.S.-Mexico border fence, 10K runners joined those crossing from San Ysidro. The finish line was on the Mexican side of Friendship Park, where there was a festival with live music. A shuttle service was offered for those who needed a ride back to the San Ysidro border.
“Anything we can do to celebrate the way of life on both sides of the border is welcome,” said Jason Wells, former executive director of the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce, who participated in the race. “It’s a good initiative.”
Over the years, races have been held along the U.S.-Mexico border, including a 10k race in the San Diego-Tijuana area called “Strides Across the Border,” which was held in the 1990s There’s also a Run International 10K race from El Paso to Ciudad Juárez.
Organizers of the Binational Race said they hope it will become an annual event in the San Diego-Tijuana region.
