Lance Null's Staging Area

Failed at entering through the lottery several years, so I finally got in with Runbuk (travel).
The history, sights, and support on this race are fantastic. Running around the Cutty Sark, over Tower Bridge, past Big Ben and past Buckingham Palace make this race unforgettable. Amazing crowd support, even for the later waves. Public transportation in London, and free rides on race day make it easy to get around to the expo, and to/from the race. Generous time limits make it friendly for slower runners / walkers. Also good for spectators to find you in several areas along the course.

Course was an 8 loop course of just under 1 mile from point to point. Half on pavement, half on trail, including a bridge. A 20 foot hill adds a little challenge to each lap.
As usual, the aid station support is fantastic, and there is always some hot food at the aid station in addition to various drinks and snacks.
race medal is in the shape of New Hampshire, with nice details, and is part of the series chain of medals.
Part of the appeal of Mainly Marathons is the people you run with, and become friends with after repeated days together on the course.
So for a fun, yet challenging way to complete your states, sign up for a multi-day series!

Course was an 6 loop course of just over 1 mile from point to point. (2+ mi / loop). The Course was in the Ashley Watershed and the scenery was beautiful. The course was mostly packed dirt.
As usual, the aid station support is fantastic, and there is always some hot food at the aid station in addition to various drinks and snacks.
race medal is in the shape of Massachusetts, with nice details, and is part of the series chain of medals.
Nearby attractions include the Dr. Seuss Museum, The Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Part of the appeal of Mainly Marathons is the people you run with, and become friends with after repeated days together on the course.
So for a fun, yet challenging way to complete your states, sign up for a multi-day series!

Normally this race is one of the high points of my calendar, but somehow they managed an epic blunder in 2022. The leaders took a wrong turn, executing the loop in the course backwards, resulting in the runners having to cross each other at the 0.4 mi / 1.7 mi point.
The 5k, 10k and half marathon all start together and separate along the way. After the initial problem, things seemed to return to their organized normal.
There is plenty of race day parking at the Laguna Hills Mall (where the race starts), and shuttles are provided post race. If you don’t want to wait for the shuttle, the start is about 1.5 miles from the finish – a nice little post race walk.
The post race “expo” returned in 2022 with booths, contests for the kids, and photo ops with the US Marines and their vehicles.
Packet pickup is available before the race, or the 2 prior days at the nearby Roadrunner Sports.
The finishers medal is nice, and there is a multi-year challenge available.

The Clovis Memorial Run is a great little 5k to start off Memorial Day Weekend. It supports the Senior Center, and honors veterans and service members. There are also a kids run and seniors run.
Timing is effectively gun timed since all times start at the gun, not when you cross the start, but results are traced via bib chip.
The entry fee is very reasonable, and veterans run for free. There is a post race pancake breakfast included, and a post race raffle (1 free ticket with race, others can be purchased.)
The course starts and ends at the senior activities center and runs along the bike trail. There is one street crossing, which is controlled by police.
The post race breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, fruit and juice.
Some support the race and enjoy the fun of a smaller race.

A nice little tour of San Diego. The race starts and ends downtown in the Gaslamp district, near Petco Park. It is a loop course that starts along the water, goes around the airport, through Liberty Station, past MCRD, uphill to Hilcrest and Balboa Park, and back downhill to Gaslamp.
Nice medals, and shirts, although the shirt design was almost identical to last year’s shirt. Some finishers received the 2021 medal at the end of the race.
Nice post race refreshments. Also a free Dunkin Donut post race for runners. You are also in the Gaslamp district with many restaurant choices after the race.
Packet pickup at the Hilton Gaslamp, with convenient low price parking on packet pickup day.

This is a good challenging race to complete the Run The Valley series.
The race is a net downhill race, so you can expect fast times, but it does have some uphill parts in the first half of the race. It is a point to point race with shuttles from parking to the start, and from the finish back to parking.

The scenery is usually very beautiful, but the area is currently recovering from the recent fires. It is still pretty, just not at beautiful as it has been.
Date change to October is beneficial, as it’s cool at the start, but no snow on the course.
Good post race food, and free results info printed on a decal for the back of your medal.
Most hotels are about 45 min away in Clovis/Fresno, but worth the trip at least once.

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!