Rock 'n' Roll San Jose
Rock 'n' Roll San Jose: a fast, flat downtown course with live music and a party atmosphere.
Race Date
Oct 4, 2026
Location
San Jose, CA
Quick facts
- Date
- Sunday, October 4, 2026
- Location
- San Jose, California
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 10K run
- Course
- Point to Point
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 124,588
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
Rock 'n' Roll San Jose has been a staple of the running calendar for 19 editions, drawing around 3,300 runners to downtown San Jose each year. The course is a flat, USATF-certified point-to-point route with a net drop, making it a prime candidate for personal bests and Boston qualifiers. About 31% of participants return year after year, lured by the fast profile and the city's vibrant backdrop.
Race day features live music along the course and a festive atmosphere at the finish, with a 10K and 5K also on offer. The typical weather is warm—highs around 86°F—so runners should prepare for sun, but the downtown setting provides plenty of energy from spectators and fellow participants. The after-party continues the rock 'n' roll theme, with music and celebration for finishers.
With its straightforward logistics and reputation for speed, Rock 'n' Roll San Jose appeals to both first-timers chasing a PR and seasoned runners seeking a quick, well-organized race. The course's flat terrain and consistent weather make it a reliable choice for those targeting specific times or simply enjoying a music-fueled race weekend.
Race-provided description
The Rock 'n' Roll Running Series San Jose is a fast-paced, music-filled race weekend, featuring a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and KiDS ROCK, all set against the vibrant backdrop of downtown San Jose.
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Point to Point
Terrain
road
Scenery
Urban
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
-0.36 m
Separation
1.0%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
CA24018TEB · 2024 San Jose Half Marathon
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Quality Score
Runner Favorite8719 years running
~3,627 finishers a year
growing or steady
29% returning runners
USATF certified · 6 timing sources
runners from 48 states
winner 1:05:06
typical high 84°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
61°
Afternoon (High)
86°
Hot conditions — adjust pace expectations, prioritize hydration
0.0"
Precipitation
11 mph
Wind
51%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 124,588 finishers actually crossed the line across 19 years.
Most recent
2025
Total finishers
124,588
Median time
2:13:53
Latest turnout
4,613
States
51
Turnout by year
2018–2025
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose?
The Rock 'n' Roll San Jose was held on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The next edition is on October 2, 2027.
Where does the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose take place?
It takes place in San Jose, California.
What distances does the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 10K run.
Is the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose course flat and good for a PR?
The Rock 'n' Roll San Jose is a ultra-flat, point to point course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose?
HalfRuns has finish records for 124,588 runners who have completed the Rock 'n' Roll San Jose.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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