Training Challenges

June 25-July 25^th

Challenge Walk MS is more fun with a friend, invite others to start training with you. Get a NEW WALKER to register by Tuesday, July 25^th and you’ll both win a fanny pack!

Fundraising and Training T-shirt Incentive
Win a Challenge Walk MS training wicking t-shirt by hitting $1,500 in fundraising by August 5th!

Fundraising Weeks

September 4- September 10, 2023

• Challenge: Person with the most money raised and person with the most number of gifts
• Prize: Win a free night of housing for Thursday night before the event. (1 room for most money raised and 1 room for most number of gifts).

October 2- October 8, 2023

• Individual challenge: The individual with the most number of gifts will win a special gift card or treat for food along the route.
• Team Challenge: Top teams with the most money raised (up to 5 winners) will win reserved seating for Friday and Saturday night programs.

Virtual “Know Before You Go” Meeting
October 2023 – date and time TBD

Join us to go over walk weekend details, weekend guide, what to pack and answering any questions that you may have! This Virtual Meeting will be especially helpful to first-time Challenge Walk MS attendees and will be a refresher of info for returning attendees.

The meeting will be recorded and information distributed if you are unable to attend.

Thursday Night Packet Pick Up and Welcome Party

Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 4 – 7 pm PT at Marriott San Diego

Walker, Crew, and Super Crew Check-in and Packet Pick Up

• Packet Pick Up at the Marriott San Diego, our host hotel for the weekend
• Grab your Challenge Walk MS credentials for the event weekend 

Packet Pick Up is the time when Challenge Walk MS participants will receive all the necessary items needed for the event. This includes picking up your Name Badge which is your entry into all Challenge Walk MS events. Also included in your Packet is a turn-by-turn guide of the route, a weekend guide and schedule of events, “I Walk For” bib to highlight why you participate, and luggage tags for anything you’d like to bring with you on the Challenge Walk route.

Challenge Walk MS participants will have two dates and times available for packet pickup:

Thursday, November 2

• 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• San Diego Marriott Del Mar: 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130
• Participants may pick up packets for Challenge Walk MS at our host hotel

Friday, November 3

• 7:30 am – 8:00 am
• Last minute Walker check-in at Challenge Walk MS Day One Start Line

Please note these details are subject to change and will be confirmed and finalized in the month before the event.

Challenge Walk MS staff will release the final event weekend schedule closer to event weekend once all details have been finalized. The following is a sample schedule of what to expect and is subject to change.

Sample Schedule | Thursday, November 2

4:00 pm: Check-in available at host hotel

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Packet Pick Up available

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Welcome Reception

Note – Some participants check in a day early on Thursday, but this is not required. If checking in early, lodging fees are the responsibility of all participants.

Sample Schedule | Friday, November 3 | Day 1

Mileage: Walk 20 miles from Start Line to Del Mar, CA

Early Morning

• Busses leave from the host hotel to the Day 1 Start Line, transportation provided at no cost to Challenge Walk participants
• Last minute participant check in at the Day 1 Start Line
• Opening Ceremony begins; family & friends invited to attend

Throughout the Day

• Route open from Start Line to Del Mar, CA
• Lunch served at a stop along the route. A continual shuttle service to transport walkers back to the hotel will be provided if needed. Contact Net Control for shuttle.
• Yoga and Nurses’ Station open at host hotel

Evening

• Dinner is served at the hotel. Guests are welcome to join but must purchase tickets. $40/adult and $20/child.
• Evening Celebration with recognition of awards and speakers
• Ice Cream Social by the pool

SAMPLE SCHEDULE | Saturday, November 4 | Day 2

Mileage: 20 miles Del Mar, CA to Mission Bay area of San Diego

Early Morning

• Nurses’ Station open at the hotel
• Breakfast served at the hotel
• Warm-up & stretching available at Day 2 Start Line in front of hotel. Saturday is a rolling start, and all walkers must be on the route by a specific time.

Throughout the Day

• Route open from Del Mar, CA to Mission Bay area of San Diego
• Lunch served at a stop along the route. A continual shuttle service to transport walkers back to the hotel will be provided if needed. Contact Net Control for shuttle.
• Yoga and Nurses’ Station open at host hotel

Evening

• Dinner is served at the hotel. Guests are welcome to join but must purchase tickets. $40/adult and $20/child.
• Keynote speakers and candlelight ceremony at the host hotel.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE | Sunday, November 5 | Day 3

Mileage: 7–10-mile loop in Coronado, CA, Start and Finish Line are the same location

Early Morning

• Nurses’ Station open
• Breakfast served at the host hotel
• Shuttle transportation to Start/Finish Line in Coronado, meet outside the hotel lobby for busses
• Rolling start in Coronado
• Pre-finish celebration hosted at a park in Coronado - *Pre-finish celebration for walkers only 

Late Morning/Early Afternoon

• All walkers arrive at pre-finish area
• All walkers leave together for 1 mile walk to finish line
• Finish line Ceremony with lunch served; friends and family are invited to attend at no extra cost
• Shuttle from Finish Line to the hotel will depart (must purchase shuttle ticket)
  • Note – Day 3 Start and Finish Line is the same location. Because of this, many participants opt to drive themselves to the Start/Finish Line to depart at their own leisure. Family and friends are invited to Finish Line Festivities, and many participants choose to leave from Finish Line with family and friends as well.

We will share the map and final turn-by-turn directions closer to event weekend once all routes have been finalized and approved. We aim to make the route as accessible as possible with paved sidewalks and pavement.

The Route

Choose Your Challenge this year. Walk portions of the route and choose the days you want to walk. Whether you walk one mile or fifty miles, the choice is yours. Routes may change slightly each year due to permitting, other events that may be taking place and disrupt Challenge Walkers, or construction. While we aim to reach the full 50 miles, please note that is not always possible every year.

• Day 1 | Carlsbad, CA to Del Mar, CA
• Day 2 | Del Mar, CA to Mission Bay area in San Diego, CA
• Day 3 | Loop around Coronado Island
  • Note – Day 3 Start and Finish Line is the same location. Because of this, many participants opt to drive themselves to the Start/Finish Line to depart at their own leisure. Family and friends are invited to Finish Line Festivities, and many participants choose to leave from Finish Line with family and friends as well.

The Challenge Walk MS: Southern California route walks along the Pacific Ocean and through many beach towns such as Oceanside, Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and Coronado Island.

We aim to make the route as accessible as possible with paved sidewalks and pavement. The biggest hill of Challenge Walk MS: Southern California, takes place on Day 2, walking up Torrey Pines Hill (about 400 feet above sea level). For any participants that do not want to walk Torrey Pines Hill, we offer a shuttle to the rest stop at the top of the hill, as well as SAG Vehicles along the entirety of the route.

Challenge Walk MS is a fully supported event with your safety as our number one priority! Support and Gear (SAG) vehicles patrol the route to show support and ensure your safety. SAGs give rides – be it the finish line or a rest stop – as needed and requested.

Rest stops are located every 1.5-3 miles along the route to help you recharge and refuel. Relax, hydrate, grab a bite to eat, and connect with volunteers and fellow walkers. There will also be medical support at most rest stops.

More information about meals coming soon!