New Race Hits the Ground Running in Del Mar

No reason to strap on your iPod for a run. At Monday night’s Del Mar City Council meeting, council approved a 10-mile race with 20 live bands along the route. TurnKey Operations received approval from city council to plan its “California 10/20” race over 10 miles between Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas on February 16, 2014. The race will have bands performing on 20 stages spaced about a half mile apart.

Turnkey Operations will need approval from the cities of Solana Beach and Encinitas as well and submit further detailed traffic plans for the course route.

“I think it can be one of the best races in San Diego right off the bat,” said Peter Douglass, TurnKey Operations president and former North County resident. “I think it could definitely be one of the top races in the country. And with the course we are planning and with the cities we have involved, if we could bring it all together to make it happen – it will be absolutely spectacular.”

Douglass was a founding partner of San Diego-based Elite Racing Inc., which became Competitor Group. He has more than 20 years of event experience and created hundreds of high profile running events such as the Carlsbad 5000 and the Rock 'n' Roll marathon series, according to TurnKey Operations. 

Douglass said not only does the race fit in with North County's culture and atmosphere, but it is an economic win too.

“We can create significant economic impact through hotel reservations, restaurants and other spending in the community that the visitors will bring,” he said.

Councilwoman Lee Haydu voiced concerns over the amplified music along Jimmy Durante. TurnKey Operations offered to set up a demonstration on specific sites to test how far sounds carry.

Councilman Terry Sinnott asked if bicyclists could use the race route during the morning race. Douglass explained that bicyclist using the race route posed a safety concern and will not be allowed on the course during those morning hours.

According to a city staff report, the race would start at 7:30 a.m. at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and would end at the Fairgrounds later that morning. The route travels north along Highway 101 from Del Mar through Solana Beach with a turn around near the Cardiff Kook statue in Cardiff.

It would require the closure of Jimmy Durante from 7 to 8:30 a.m., the day of the race, and a portion of Via de la Valle later up until 10:45 a.m. In addition, northbound Camino del Mar would be restricted to a left turn only exiting Del Mar until about 10:30 a.m.

TurnKey Operations originally proposed the race for February 2013. It presented plans to both Solana Beach and Encinitas at its council meetings in August. Solana Beach reportedly expressed concern for the timing of the race because of current and continued construction along Highway 101. Because of this concern, TurnKey pushed proposed race plans to February 2014 to accommodate the construction schedule.

“We are refocusing for 2014, which I actually believe will be a better. It will give us more time to plan the race. It will give more to market the race. It will give us more time to work with the communities,” said Douglass.

TurnKey Operations has also pledged to donate $10,000 to one or more Del Mar nonprofits prior to the race.

Douglass will continue discussions and planning with Solana Beach and Encinitas at upcoming council meetings. He estimates that the California 10/20 will attract at least 10,000 runners.

TurnKey Operations hosted a similar race in Austin, Texas this spring. The headlining band at the end of the course was Everclear. Entry fees for the company’s 2013 race in Austin vary from $65 to $85.