California half marathon descends into chaos as dozens of runners return to find their cars vanished

A celebratory cross-border marathon ended in frustration for dozens of participants after their vehicles were towed during Sunday’s San Diego–Tijuana Binational Half Marathon.

Instead of relaxing and refueling after finishing the 13.1 mile-race, which started in San Ysidro and crossed into Tijuana, a crowd of exhausted runners found themselves waiting in line at the Western Towing impound yard to get their cars back.

Many runners said they followed parking directions posted directly on the event’s official website, which assured participants that nearby mall parking was safe.

Runners gather outside a building following the Binational Race. — A celebratory cross-border marathon ended in frustration for dozens of participants after their vehicles were towed during Sunday’s San Diego–Tijuana Binational Half Marathon.

A runner sits on the ground wearing a race bib and a medal from the Binational Half Marathon. — Instead of relaxing and refueling after finishing the 13.1 mile-race, which started in San Ysidro and crossed into Tijuana, a crowd of exhausted runners found themselves waiting in line at the Western Towing impound yard to get their cars back.

“For your convenience, Las Américas 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 read.

“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,” Bernice Diaz, whose sister parked the car in the Las Americas Premium Lot, told Fox 5.

Baja-Mex Ped West Parking at 4575 Camino de la Plaza was also an official parking spot for the runners, offering a $12 race-day rate if they showed their bib at the entrance.

A group of runners waiting outside a building during the Binational Half Marathon. — Baja-Mex Ped West Parking at 4575 Camino de la Plaza was also an official parking spot for the runners, offering a $12 race-day rate if they showed their bib at the entrance.

Runners at the Binational Half Marathon. — Some runners also allege that race officials had directed them to park their vehicles in spaces were not designated as official parking options.

Some runners also allege that race officials had directed them to park their vehicles in spaces were not designated as official parking options.

Alex Rodriguez, who participated in the marathon, alleges that a race personnel had instructed him to park his car San Ysidro Village, near Popeyes. When he returned after the run, he couldn’t find his car.

“The team for Binational was instructing us to park in a parking lot…They told us it was our fault, but it’s not our fault when the official people of Binational Half Marathon instructed us to park there,” Rodriguez told the news outlet.

A runner stands in front of a metal gate with warning signs in San Ysidro. — The Binational Race Team, in a statement to Fox 5, said that the towing incidents happened at the San Ysidro Village parking lot, which was not an authorized parking space.

The Binational Race Team, in a statement to Fox 5, said that the towing incidents happened at the San Ysidro Village parking lot, which was not an authorized parking space.

“No Binational Race staff members were assigned to direct or manage vehicle traffic or parking within or outside Las Americas Premium Outlets,” the Binational Race Team told the news outlet.