Ann Parnigoni's Staging Area

This was my first half marathon race – I did the 1st half marathon. The full marathon starts/ends at the Ferry Building and makes a full loop around the city. Something unique about this race is that it has two half marathon courses – the first half (which I ran) starts at the Ferry Building with the Full Marathon and 5k, running along the bay, under the Golden Gate Bridge, through the Presidio and ending in Golden Gate Park. There are shuttles located at the end of the 1st Half that take finishers back the Ferry Building to participate in the after run festivities. The 2nd Half starts in Golden Gate Park and ends at the Ferry Building (essentially the other half of the Full Marathon). I loved the scenery of the 1st half but by the time I finished the race, walked to the shuttle area and took the shuttle back to the Ferry Bldg, I was too tired/stiff to stay and went home. I missed being able to go to the after party, but the scenery for the 1st Half route was great!
The race was well organized with clear communication in the months and days leading up to the event. The scenery is hard to beat. Course was fairly flat until about the 4th mile, then the steady inclines started. Lots of race support, cheering crowds and my favorite sign “you’re running better than the government”. Between the supportive crowds and beautiful scenery, you (almost) didn’t notice the inclines. I’ve already signed up for next year’s Full Marathon!

Nice day – sunny, about 50 degrees but pretty windy. Very small race with a lot of holiday spirit! Water and gatorade at the turnaround for the 5k – water, hot chocolate, snacks at the end (bananas, cookies, halos, candy, etc). Race t-shirts provided in cute holiday stockings, along with jingle bells for runners’ shoes (loved hearing the bells while I ran!) Previous post for 2016 mentioned the velcro timing for the ankle, but this year’s version was on the back of the bib. Since it’s such a small race, chances are greater of earning a medal (though I didn’t 🙂

This race had 3 categories – 10k, 5k times and 5k family run (untimed). I ran the 10k and my husband ran the 5k timed.
I like races where there is a family aspect – not because I’m bringing children to the race myself, but because it’s fun to see families sharing healthy and wholesome activities together.

Unique: the 10k started in a different location from the two 5k races – but all 3 races finished at the same location.

Pros: good cause (education), beautiful morning, great participant energy (happy families), efficient shuttles from the main location to the 10k start in Danville.

Cons (ugh, where to start): Truly the most disorganized race I’ve participated in, which was a surprise since this was the 34th year of the event. I should have expected the disorganization when 1) received blast email day before race they desperately needed volunteers (about 40!) and 2) had no idea where to pick up bibs for the race. Bib pickup usually easy enough to figure out, but it was an important detail for this race because the two starting points were miles from each other. We took a guess that bibs would be at the 5k race, but if my husband hadn’t been with me and I was only attending the 10k race, I would have been out of luck for a bib.
Course: Course itself was fine – flat. The problem was the congestion which was only made worse by disorganization. No corrals so everyone jammed in at same time. Was frustrated for a full mile at start because it took that long to spread out – middle miles were nice. The last 1-3 miles were awful. They had originally staggered the start of the 3 races, but the 10k started 20 min late and they didn’t hold the 5k races so everyone ended at the same time – huge cluster! The last 1-3 miles of the 10k overlapped with the 5ks so it was jammed at the end. Also, families with strollers (double strollers!) in the 10k lane – unbelievably frustrating.
Swag (all about the swag): The first 500 10k entrants were supposed to get a beanie and a tech shirt. When I got there, I was in that category (yay) and was given the beanie, but when I got the shirt, it was the regular cotton shirt. I asked about the tech shirt, but the volunteer didn’t know what I was talking about. The 10k racers got a swag bag at the end (nothing special, but something), but the 5k runners didn’t get anything, and I mean anything….no medal, no bag, nada (other than the shirt at start).
Many other examples (parking, pictures, etc.), but you get the idea. Great cause, great healthy day for families, but a disaster for people who really wanted to run a real race.

This was a fun community race – mostly flat with a few rolling hills – lots of community enthusiasm. Best parts: 1) awards were mini bagels painted gold, silver, bronze (I was crazy slow so didn’t get one, but my friend did!) and 2) the life-size bagel mascot that ran the race!