This race takes place in Baylands Park in Sunnyvale at 8am. I knew it would be a small race, but I was a bit surprised to see several race staff … MORE
This race takes place in Baylands Park in Sunnyvale at 8am. I knew it would be a small race, but I was a bit surprised to see several race staff wearing bibs. (Hurting for volunteers? Trying to fill out the field a little?) I was able to get my bib & shirt quickly with no problem, though, and the benefit of the small field is plentiful parking right by the start. (We were told it would cost $6 but there was no one taking money, so I guess it was free?) There were only two port-a-potties & realistically they probably could have used maybe 3-4; the really bad part was when the toilet paper ran out 20 minutes before the start.
As far as course difficulty, it is completely flat, BUT 90% gravel (hence my averaging to 3 stars). It’s a 5 mile out-and-back with two aid stations (so a total of 4 opportunities). The issue was that they were at 1.5/8.5 and 3/7, leaving a loooong stretch of nothing there in the middle. Given that it’s a summer race in the South Bay, in my opinion, a third one (maybe at the turn-around?) was much-needed. The course is not certified; I didn’t wear a watch but the people I ran with all clocked between 10.25 & 10.35.
Schwag includes a nice tech tee & post-race snacks. No photos and no medal for this race in particular, but the organizers advertised a series medal for running both this race as well as the Foster City 10-Miler in January. Alas, when I asked about it at the finish, no race staff could be found and no one knew anything about it. I think I paid $50 for this race (price ranged from $45-$75) & to be honest I don’t feel like I got my money’s worth.
Please login to reply to this review.
Race organizers don't seem interested
This race takes place in Baylands Park in Sunnyvale at 8am. I knew it would be a small race, but I was a bit surprised to see several race staff … MORE
This race takes place in Baylands Park in Sunnyvale at 8am. I knew it would be a small race, but I was a bit surprised to see several race staff wearing bibs. (Hurting for volunteers? Trying to fill out the field a little?) I was able to get my bib & shirt quickly with no problem, though, and the benefit of the small field is plentiful parking right by the start. (We were told it would cost $6 but there was no one taking money, so I guess it was free?) There were only two port-a-potties & realistically they probably could have used maybe 3-4; the really bad part was when the toilet paper ran out 20 minutes before the start.
As far as course difficulty, it is completely flat, BUT 90% gravel (hence my averaging to 3 stars). It’s a 5 mile out-and-back with two aid stations (so a total of 4 opportunities). The issue was that they were at 1.5/8.5 and 3/7, leaving a loooong stretch of nothing there in the middle. Given that it’s a summer race in the South Bay, in my opinion, a third one (maybe at the turn-around?) was much-needed. The course is not certified; I didn’t wear a watch but the people I ran with all clocked between 10.25 & 10.35.
Schwag includes a nice tech tee & post-race snacks. No photos and no medal for this race in particular, but the organizers advertised a series medal for running both this race as well as the Foster City 10-Miler in January. Alas, when I asked about it at the finish, no race staff could be found and no one knew anything about it. I think I paid $50 for this race (price ranged from $45-$75) & to be honest I don’t feel like I got my money’s worth.