World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Runners return from binational half marathon to find cars towed
Dozens of runners found their cars had been towed after finishing the San Diego-Tijuana Binational Half Marathon.
The 13.1-mile race began in San Ysidro, California, and ended in Tijuana, Mexico.
Some runners said they parked where race officials or the event website told them to, including at Las Americas Premium Outlets.
Organizers deny directing runners to park at the San Ysidro Village lot, where they say the reported tows happened.
The conflicting accounts have left runners seeking answers and repayment for towing fees.
Organizers have not committed to refunds, and the story does not say what will happen next.
Dozens of runners in the San Diego-Tijuana Binational Half Marathon returned to the United States and found their cars had been towed.
The 13.1-mile race began in San Ysidro, California, and finished in Tijuana, Mexico.
Some runners said race staff or event information directed them to park where their cars were later towed.
The Binational Race Team denied assigning staff to direct vehicles or identifying the affected lot as an authorized parking location.
Affected runners have sought answers and reimbursement, but organizers have not publicly promised to repay towing fees.
- Who
- Dozens of half-marathon runners, including Bernice Diaz, Alex Rodriguez and Connie Mendoza, had their cars towed.
- What
- Runners returned from the race to find their cars had been towed. Organizers disputed claims that they had directed runners to park at the affected lot.
- When
- Sunday; the article was published on October 28, 2026.
- Where
- The San Diego-Tijuana Binational Half Marathon ran from San Ysidro, California, to Tijuana, Mexico. Reported towing incidents were at the San Ysidro Village parking lot near Ross and Popeyes.
- Why
- The cars were towed from the lot. The sources give conflicting accounts of whether race personnel directed runners to park there.
Runners
Binational Race Team
Parking directions
Runners
Some runners said event information or race personnel directed them to park at locations where their cars were towed.
Binational Race Team
The team said no staff were assigned to direct vehicles or manage parking.
Lot authorization
Runners
Runners said they followed directions they believed came from race officials or the event website.
Binational Race Team
The team said the San Ysidro Village lot near Ross and Popeyes was not designated or communicated as an authorized parking location.
The San Diego-Tijuana Binational Half Marathon took place, and runners later found their cars had been towed.
Runners sought answers and reimbursement; organizers had not publicly committed to repaying towing fees.
- Race distance
- 13.1 miles
- Race start
- San Ysidro, California
- Race finish
- Tijuana, Mexico
- Reported towing location
- San Ysidro Village parking lot near Ross and Popeyes
- Affected participants
- Dozens of runners
What people are saying
So we get there, and there's no car. I was like, 'Where is my car?'
It's not our fault when the official people of Binational Half Marathon instructed us to park there
Who's going to give our money back?