Edward Saiz's Staging Area

First, I had an amazing experience. What a legendary town with some of the best athletes around! But this was without a doubt the hardest race I’ve ever endured. Being a 10x Marathoner, I wanted a new and unique challenge to test me physically and mentally and without a doubt Leadville tested me beyond my limits.
If you live at our near sea level, this race will be a struggle. I come from 2,500 feet and the lack of 02 has a mental affect; it seemed to suck the fight out of me.
It came with two 12,000 foot summit climbs, the last did me in. Some climbs and descents were so rocky and technical, as a road runner, I just couldn’t get any momentum downhill – this takes practice and experience that I didn’t have. Be ready to deal with blisters as I struggled with mine the last 10 miles; I came unprepared for that.
However, with plenty of time before the cut off, I realized I had no chance of winning (LOL) so decided to walk back the last 8 miles with a group of about 10 of us.
What I rave about this race are the volunteers. They were so enthusiastic and they seriously helped me through some dark low spots. Gave me everything I needed to carry on!
And talk about incredible scenery! It is breathtaking! And LTR race series does a phenomenal job. I would say the production was well done and the town really did roll out the red carpet for its athletes.
Leadville is a legendary town that attracts some of the gnarliest and toughest dudes and gals on the planet. I’m proud of myself that I was able to join them and finish 50 miles on this course. If you want to be truly tested, (steep and rocky elevation climbs, lack of O2, ultra distance) this absolutely is the race for you! I want to try again but know now I need to train more at altitude in the mountains with climbs.

This has to be one of the most competitive half marathons in the country. In 2020, they featured 27 marathon olympic trail athletes. My time was 1:30, which normally is good for a top 50-100 finish in most big races, but my time was good enough for 257th. I enjoyed this as the competition always pushes me for faster times and it avoids the chances of running into “no mans land” the last miles of the race.
Unfortunately, we got hit with a 30 mph headwind at the turnaround the last 3 miles, which slowed time everyone’s time. But nothing you can do about weather.
The course is mainly through the beautiful Golden Gate Park in west of San Francisco. The greenery and beauty of the park was such a treat and joy to run through (i’m from the desert). A mild gradual hill for about a mile during mile 3, and other gradual ones early, but once you hit mile 7, you run flat parallel to the beach, then head back. The last half is probably the steepest climb. About 50 feet in a half mile.
Bag check pick up was probably the weak spot; it took awhile to find my bag.
Overall, I rate this race high for the beauty of the course and the insane amount of competitive runners. I hope to be back in 2021!

It was my first time running this race hoping to get to qualify for Boston (sub 3). I wanted a slight downhill race, but not an insanely stupid downhill like what Revell advertises. Overall it’s about an 800 foot decent from the beautiful town of Ojai.
Expo was very small, really cool beer vendors. If I wasn’t going for a PR I would have joined In on the fun.
Shuttles were good. school buses take you up to Ojai. A bit bumpy but i dont think public rides invest much into decent shocks.
Medium sized race, so wasn’t a crazy corral start like some of the majors.
Course was absolutely gorgeous in Ojai as the sun rose upon the mountains. a slight uphill around miles 5-7 at a turnaround in town mean you should scale back just a bit, but once you hit the peak and then on the trail, the gradual downhill means you can really open up your stride. The Ojai river trail was so pretty and well shaded, however, this year in 2019 they had to change the course due to construction, which meant shipping you out in the hot sun on a road. There was a really steep hill about mile 17, which I conquered but after mile 20 it started to get really hot and there wasn’t much fan support so times could suffer.
However, the end was well supported and finish line was well stocked with food and waffles!
In other years when the trail isn’t fully closed, you’re more shaded as you don’t hit the open sun until mile 20, but overall I though Ventura did a great job! It’s definitely a PR worthy course; I just missed Boston by a min 55 but I think a bit cooler weather could have helped.
In my opinion, if you’re looking for a gradual downhill race to aid in a PR that’s not a Revell, Ventura is a great option.
I love the location north of LA for a smaller Southern California vibe, and it’s not a crazy big race.
Ventura is like second home to me for a chill vacation spot so I’ll be back sometime to run.

For R&R’s original race, they do a good job keeping up the quality.
Expo is well organized and efficient.
Race morning corrals were well organized and I appreciated the green space on the to warm up and quickly enter your corral.
It felt like the first 8 miles were a slight gradual uphill, but didn’t seem to affect my pace much, but around mile 10 you take advantage of a steep downhill that actually allowed me to run my fastest 5K ever (in the half marathon). Decent scenery in and around San Diego, but passing through Balboa Park probably the coolest.
I loved the finish line area in downtown San Diego by the ocean.
This was a PR race for me!