Sunshine and Speed: Perfect Weather Fuels the ‘World’s Fastest 5K’ at Carlsbad 5000, presented by Brooks

The Carlsbad 5000, presented by Brooks, is a unique event on the schedule. Dan Cruz, one of my favorite comms people, sent us this update, which includes photos by David Miralle and B roll. Enjoy! 

Sunshine and Speed: Perfect Weather Fuels the ‘World’s Fastest 5K’ at Carlsbad 5000

Sam Atkin, British Olympian, clinched a decisive victory at the Carlsbad 5000 with a time of 13:24, besting last year’s mark by 23 seconds.Ethiopia’s Lemlem Hailu triumphed in the women’s race at 15:13, while Mexican Olympian Laura Galvan’s bid for a third consecutive title fell short.

CARLSBAD, Calif. – APRIL 6, 2025 – On a picturesque Chamber of Commerce Day, with the temperature near 70 degrees and waves crashing just off the course, the 39th Carlsbad 5000 unfolded Sunday. The real stars were the runners, about 8,000 in total, who took to the streets.

Among them was 23-year-old Wyatt Moss from Atlanta, a content creator who ran 53 marathons last year, including one in every state, and one on all seven continents on consecutive days. Just yesterday, Moss ran a marathon in Las Vegas before today’s Carlsbad 5000.

Asked why he undertakes such feats, Moss, who supports himself by building tables and pressure washing, said, “I’m still paying off the debt from last year.”

He added, tapping a message on his cellphone, “I wanted a challenge so big it would only be possible with God.”

Moss, known for his thematic race costumes, ran today in a wetsuit, carrying a surfboard. “My whole point of doing the challenge,” he said, “is you don’t have to sacrifice your dreams to make a career.”

Peggy Ridley, 67, another highlight, has run all 39 editions of the Carlsbad 5000. Living in Boonville, Calif., about 90 miles northwest of Santa Rosa, she noted, “It’s such a great race. It’s like a reunion every year.”

Ridley treasures the course along the coast, emphasizing that it’s suitable for all ages and abilities.

Roosevelt Cook, from Hesperia, Calif., has dominated the men’s open division for a decade and won the masters division today.

“What I like about Carlsbad,” said Cook, a three-time master’s champion, “is the tradition. The whole prestige of the race.”

The day’s fastest were the elites. Sam Atkin, 32, of Great Britain and now living outside Boulder, Colo., won the men’s race in 13:24, eight seconds ahead of Brian Barraza and beating last year’s winning time by 23 seconds.

Lemlem Hailu, 23, from Ethiopia, clinched the women’s race in 15:13. Mexico’s Laura Galvan, attempting her third consecutive win, finished second in 15:30.

For complete results, photos and more, please visit Carlsbad5000.com.