Runners Left Carless After Half Marathon Straddling US-Mexico Border

Dozens of runners who participated in the San Diego-Tijuana Binational Half Marathon on Sunday returned to the United States to discover their cars had been towed. The 13.1-mile race began in San Ysidro, California, and concluded in Tijuana, Mexico.

Many runners stated they parked in locations designated by race officials and the event's website, only to find their vehicles missing upon their return. Bernice Diaz told FOX 5 San Diego that she and her sister parked at Las Americas Premium Outlets, a location the event's official website had indicated would be safe from towing on race day. "So we get there, and there's no car. I was like, 'Where is my car?' Diaz said. "I was not the only one. All these people are part of it, which is unfortunate."

Another participant, Alex Rodriguez, claimed that race personnel directed him to park near a Popeyes restaurant in San Ysidro Village. "It's not our fault when the official people of Binational Half Marathon instructed us to park there," Rodriguez stated.

However, the Binational Race Team has disputed these accounts, denying that their staff were involved in directing traffic or managing parking. In a statement, organizers said that all towing incidents occurred in the San Ysidro Village parking lot, near Ross and Popeyes, a property that was "not designated or communicated by Binational Race as an authorized parking location."

Frustrated runners are seeking reimbursement for towing fees. Connie Mendoza, who traveled from Los Angeles for the race and had her car towed, reported that her attempts to contact organizers via email, phone, and Instagram have gone unanswered. "Who's going to give our money back?" Mendoza asked.

Race organizers have not yet committed to reimbursing the affected participants. The Daily Mail has reached out to The Binational Race for comment.