Dozens of runners in a California-to-Mexico half marathon were shocked to find their cars had vanished. It turns out the vehicles were towed while they were racing. To make matters worse, several runners say they parked exactly where race officials told them to park.
The bizarre incident occurred Sunday during the San Diego-Tijuana Binational Half Marathon, a 13.1-mile race that begins in San Ysidro, California, crosses the U.S.-Mexico border and ends in Tijuana.
The Half Marathon Runners Say Race Officials Told Them Where To Park
According to FOX 5 San Diego, several runners who returned to the United States after completing the race found their cars mysteriously missing. Not exactly the reward they were expecting after running more than 13 miles.
The Binational Race website listed two official parking locations: Las Americas Premium Outlets and Baja-Mex Ped West Parking. Organizers specifically stated that runners could park at Las Americas without worrying about being towed.
“For your convenience, Las Americas Premium Outlets will allow you to leave your car parked there on race day without the risk of being towed. This convenient option allows you to park at the race start area and enjoy the event with peace of mind,” the marathon’s official website explained.
Runner Bernice Diaz told FOX 5 that she and her sister parked at Las Americas and, when they returned, discovered their vehicle was gone.
“So we get there, and there’s no car. I was like, ‘Where is my car?’ I was not the only one. All these people are part of it, which is unfortunate,” Diaz said.
Another runner, Alex Rodriguez, claimed race personnel directed him to park at San Ysidro Village, near a Popeyes restaurant. His car was also towed. Rodriguez said race organizers blamed the competitors, but he said, “It’s not our fault when the official people of Binational Half Marathon instructed us to park there.”
Race Organizers Dispute Runners’ Claims About Parking
According to Marathon Handbook, organizers claim every reported towing incident occurred at an unapproved parking location. They also denied having any employees assigned to direct vehicles or manage parking.
In a statement to FOX 5, the Binational Race Team said “all reported towing incidents occurred at the San Ysidro Village parking lot, near Ross and Popeyes,” a property “not designated or communicated by Binational Race as an authorized parking location.”
That explanation contradicts what some runners say happened.
Some Runners Want Some Sort Of Financial Reimbursement
Connie Mendoza, who traveled from Los Angeles to compete and also had her car towed, said she tried contacting the race organizers via email, Instagram and phone about the issue, but received no response. Organizers have not publicly committed to reimbursing any of the affected runners.
“Who’s going to give our money back?” she asked.
Interestingly, this isn’t the only unusual marathon-related story to make headlines recently. A Chinese fitness influencer was caught riding on a bicycle during the Berlin Marathon instead of running the entire race. She later apologized and lost an endorsement deal.
On the plus side, at least she didn’t have to worry about where she parked her car.