In a year unlike any other, it was an event unlike any of its previous 34 editions. The 2020 Carlsbad 5000 presented by National University hosted its 35th run event virtually during the month of September due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Known as the ‘World’s fastest 5K’, the race was originally scheduled for the weekend of March 21-22, but was postponed just nine days before the event to mid-September because of the pandemic.
Then at the end of July, with California’s continued restrictions on mass gatherings, it was switched completely to a virtual event.
“Even though 2020 threw some curveballs at our race plans, we wanted to keep the competitive spirit and tradition of Carlsbad alive this year,” said race owner Ashley Gibson. “The Carlsbad 5000 has always been known for the fast times raced by top athletes from around the world.
“Along with our partner, Skechers Performance, we were able to invite a small field of athletes to compete as part of our virtual race. We’re impressed by the persistence all of our runners demonstrated even when racing without the crowds and competition by their side.”
The 2020 Skechers Performance Elite Virtual Invitational featured a US$1,750 prize purse. Submitting the fastest time for first place overall was Craig Nowak, from Stillwater, Oklahoma in 13:48. The fastest time in the women’s 5k was clocked by Escondido’s Mariel Earle in 16:28.
An exclusive group of 7 runners — Carolyn Hogan, Kerry Tabler, Peggy Ridley, Michelle Wilson, Howard Duncan, Paul Russell, and Skip DeYoung — have managed to participate in every edition of the event since the race’s inception in 1986.
“While I missed the excitement and energy of race day, overall it was nice to keep the streak alive,” said legacy runner Michelle Wilson, who used Strava for the first time to log her virtual results. “Never in a million years did I think I would live through a year like 2020.
“To have the event get moved and then moved again was a double whammy, kudos to the organizers for seeing everything through and making it happen.”
The goal is for the event to return in its traditional format in 2021. The race organizers hope to work with local officials to identify a possible date later this year.
Since the inaugural edition in 1986, the Carlsbad 5000 annually attracts amateur, competitive, and professional runners from around the world. Over its 35-year history, the Carlsbad 5000 has seen 17 World records and eight US records, as well as numerous national and age group marks which earned the moniker ‘World’s Fastest 5k’.
