Organizers deny fault in tow of dozens of cars at border race

Dozens of participants in the third annual San Diego-Tijuana Binational Half Marathon discovered their vehicles had been towed on Sunday afternoon. A long line formed outside a local towing office after the race, which began in San Ysidro and crossed into Tijuana, according to FOX 5 San Diego. Many runners reported that they followed directions from event staff, yet still found their cars gone.

Alex Rodriguez, a runner, said organizers told him and his group it was their fault. Rodriguez argued that the official Binational Half Marathon personnel instructed them to park in the specific lot where their vehicles were later removed. He noted that the staff directed them to that area before the start line opened.

Valerie Rivera, the managing director of Binational Race USA, stated that the towing incidents occurred at the San Ysidro Village Shopping Center. Rivera clarified that organizers did not designate or promote that shopping center as an official parking site. She maintained that the clearly communicated locations were Las Americas Premium Outlets and Baja-Mex Ped West Parking in San Ysidro.

Rivera wrote in an email that the organization has not received confirmed reports of vehicles being towed from those designated spots. She added that the race organizers regret the inconvenience experienced by those who were towed. The event is the third edition of the cross-border competition, which includes a 12K and a 10K race in Tijuana alongside the half marathon.