Lance Null's Staging Area

Hell of a Half Marathon is held in Exeter, CA, just outside of Visalia. It is held in August, which puts the summer heat into play. In 2021, the race temps were in the high 80s (and the temperature keeps rising after the race!)

The course is a large loop. Out into the hills, over one large hill, and then head over a second hill on your way back.

Although the temps are hot, the aid stations have plenty to drink, trail race quality food choices, and they have ice water the volunteers will pour onto you if desired. Some of the best course support I’ve ever had at a race.

The race has plenty of parking near the start, race day packet pickup, and packet pickup is available in a couple different cities on the days prior to the race.

Post race entertainment, a good breakfast provided by the Kiwanis, and a beer garden are available, as well as post race massage and ice baths for your feet.

T-shirt or women’s tank for shirt options, and a beer/soda growler that can be filled for half price after the race.

Free street parking available if you get there early. Also you can take the trolley to the race.

The race starts on Harbor Drive, by the convention center and Petco Park and makes a nice loop around the city. You take Harbor Drive around downtown and over to a small loop on Harbor Island. You continue past the airport, and through Liberty Station. Next you pass MCRD, and begin the ascent to Hillcrest. You have a tough uphill at mile 9, up to Balboa park, but are rewarded with a downhill stretch to get you near the finish. (At the Gaslamp sign this year)

Post race was muted by the pandemic. You were given a bag with your medal and post race food.

Packet pickup was at the Hilton Gaslamp, and ran smooth. Plenty of cheap parking nearby on packet pickup day.

Early packet pickup available in different valley cities the week before the race, as well as easy race day packet pickup.
Course is mostly on trails & paved paths, so no traffic to deal with.
New section of packed dirt, loose dirt, and broken asphalt added before the hill to wear those legs out before the climb. Not a big fan of the change, but it’s not really that tough.
Good course support with well stocked aid stations.
Post race meal including breakfast burritos, fruit ice bars, and hard seltzer.
Free results sticker for the back of your medal.
Smaller event, but still a good size crowd. 900+ runners this year (2021).
Part of a 3 race ‘run the valley’ series.
See you next year!

With permitting and covid issues, and mother nature, this year’s race was an interesting experience. The race did not start until 2pm in the afternoon, and mother nature piled on with high temperatures, and high winds.
Despite these factors, the race put on a good show. There were more water stops than expected, excellent volunteers, and a great post race experience, including wine at Jasper Winery. The course had a mixture of urban and park with scenic views. Mostly paved course, with some hard packed trail through a wooded park.
The finish was at Water Works Park, and post race snacks and drinks were available in good quantity.
A short walk let to Jasper Winery where the post-race continued.
Shuttle service back to the start /parking was provided, or you could also easily walk back to the car.
I love the soft t-shirt for the race, nice finisher’s medal and a commemorative wine glass.
I didn’t get to experience the Winery afterwards, since the late start meant I had to get on the road for my Sunday race ASAP.
I recommend this race, even with the craziness.

Getting to the start was exciting. There seem to be two entrances to the park, but one was closed for the race. We were a little panicked trying to find the start. No one out to direct traffic, nor any signs until after you find the other entrance by yourself.

We had some of the last start times for the staggered race starts. When we arrived, there was no line to start, and we were able to start when we were ready to go. The late start time did leave us out in the unusual warm November sun.

Course was an out an back along the Louisville Loop. There is one mean hill that you get to run over twice, and a fail amount of rolling hills that a lot of people like to whine about, but really aren’t a big deal. (I like the little rolling ones over flat as a pancake.) Some nice wooded scenery along Floyd’s Fork river, and only a few, well controlled, street crossings. Wide path to run along the entire race.

Nice zip up hoodie this year in place of a t-shirt. Also chocolate nut pie, and a free beer at the finish.

Good parking near the race.
Race day packet pickup available, also prior to race day.
Easy to change distances if needed.
Course runs along the path around Richmond Marina Bay and thru Richmond Park. A very beautiful course.
Well stocked aid stations, and a clearly marked course.
And most importantly – It’s It ice cream sandwich after the race!

Start/Finish at the Fairplex in Pomona Ca. Run goes around Bonelli Park and Puddingstone Lake.
5k and 10k races on Saturday combine with half on Sunday for the Golden Snowflake challenge.
Many running clubs are represented at the event.
Extra awards for 3+ year running streak at race.
Costume contest both days before the events.
Fee for parking, but one fee covers packet pickup and both race days.

Packet pickup is pretty smooth the day before, and is available on race day if needed.
The start and end of the course run around the parking lot, so it’s not that scenic, but the trip around Hershey is nice. Great support from students as you run around the Milton Hershey school. Race finishes inside Hershey Park Stadium.
Good post race food, with a reusable bag.
Medal is shaped as a Hershey kiss.
Mini chocolate bars as you pass Hershey HQ around mile 11.5.
It may not make my “do it every year” list, but it is well worth the trip at lease once.
2 tickets to Hershey Park After Dark are included with each entry.

This small field (1400) half is a great hidden gem in the Detroit area. The course winds through the neighborhoods of Oakland County and is well supported by great volunteers. There was plenty of fluids, and some nice treats from local groups and families. Good post race food, and live band entertainment. Beer tent for those of age (or soda). Good parking, close to start/finish. Race day packet pickup available.
I’ll run this again.

Located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Starts and ends at Rodeo Beach.
Small field (<300).
Well marked course. Could be beautiful scenery, or you could get fogged in.
Great aid stations, but only 2 stations. Bring your own water bottle / cup.
Good post race BBQ.
Great staff & volunteers.
Hills, hills, and more hills. Your legs will get a workout. Mix of access roads, fire roads, trails and single track.
Very humbling for a flatland runner.

Great race director. Race day packet pickup is available. Free parking near race start/finish. Well stocked aid stations often on the course. Fantastic volunteers. Course is on bike paths along the creek. Most of the course is away from any traffic, but the course does cross a few streets. There is police support for the faster runners to keep you running, but slow pokes like me can get caught at a light or two. Street tacos (chicken or pork) for runners after the race. A good choice to add to your calendar.

Located in Clovis, CA, this Memorial Weekend race is a nice little event to kick off the weekend.
The course is primarily on the nice bike paths the town has to offer. The one road crossing is controlled by police to allow the runners to continue safely.
Great for runners or walkers. There are also kids and seniors runs.
They have a raffle afterwards, and a pancake breakfast.
The volunteers are fantastic, and the race offers discounts to military and veterans.

Women’s themed event with a huge finisher’s medal. Wine glass too. Comfortable, stylish shirt you can actually wear after the race.
Great for first timers or returning veterans.
Good pacing teams to get you to your goal.
Weather can be unpredictable. (It snowed on us in April.) Check the forecast and bring the right gear.
Part of the Go Girl Run Series.
I would run it again!

Easy parking near the zoo. Race day packet pickup available.
2019 course ran along the canal, and near the zoo. Nice course, some hills. New course coming for 2020
Walk or Run categories.
Nice post race snacks.
Great warm-up event for Lost Dutchman.

Day 1 of the 3 day Bear Lake Trifecta. It’s the half marathon trifecta for me. We started in St. Charles, ID and ran to the north side of Bear lake and out toward the North Beach State Park. This course is about as flat as can be — for better or worse, and there is some nice wildlife scenery along the lake. The half is an out an back course.

One of the best things about the 3 day series, is the friends you will make.

After the race, consider taking a tour of the Minnetonka Cave. Nothing like a nice little hike down into a cave to work out those legs!