Lance Null's Staging Area

half marathon and 10k options. (and 5k starting in 2021)
Generous time limit – 4 hours (For both half and 10k!)
Extra swag for registering early.
Large, shiny medals.
Good sponsor support (Free beer!)
Post race breakfast burrito and real chocolate milk.
Can combine with nearby races for a weekend double!

Race starts in downtown Phoenix and ends in Tempe.
Course is very light rail friendly. Expo, Start and Finish are all close to the light rail lines. Possible to visit city and run race without a rental car.
Good support along the course. Adequate hydration stations available.
Just over 16 min/mile pace is enforced. They will “move you forward” in the race, and DNF you for the race (but you can still get the medal.)
Post race food starts to disappear after 6 hour finish time. Concert ends at 6:30:00 finish time. At 7 hours only water and Gatorade was left in 2020.
Decent crowd support along the race. Easy for family to support with a little planning.
The processing fees are now 20% of the race cost, a big extra cost.

Loopathon – up to 4 medals available. Earn them sequentially.
1 mile loop, followed by 5k loops.
Medals: 1 mile, 5k, quarter marathon, half marathon.
3 rides are running during the race – you can ride if you want – during or after the race.
After earning 4 medals, you can continue for overall or AG places. Most laps = highest place.

Ample free parking for the race and expo. Free shuttle from parking to expo and back, or a .75 mile walk. Same walk on race morning.

Excellent medals – Crab theme.

Combination medal opportunities such as the Baltimoron (5k+half – same day) or with other races in the area.

Plenty of aid stations, stocked with water and electrolytes, along the course. Great volunteers. Plenty of post race food, and an area to stretch out and to get a massage.

Beautiful scenery during the race, including a few iconic Baltimore sights.

Don’t forget to get your post race photo by the USS Constellation.

Despite mother nature’s attempts the 2019 edition of the Air Force half marathon went off after a 90 minute rain/lightning delay. The course was a new course, but as a race newbie, I didn’t know the difference. The course has some hills, but they were well spaced out to me. The late race weather was hot and humid, and the race danger was elevated from yellow to red.
On course support was good, and the hydration stops were well stocked and manned.
I love the finish under the wing of a C-17.
Post race food left a lot to be desired. They didn’t even have the usual chocolate milk this year.
I would like to run this race again.

Not a PR course. Beautiful point to point course in Anchorage. Weekend closest to the summer solstice, so it’s light 24/7 (although the sun does set for a few hours.) The course is on bike trails, unpaved roads, single track trails, and back to paved roads and bike paths. The second half is generally flat or downhill. Beautiful scenery along the way. Good aid stations with electrolytes and water. Many stations have pretzels and fruit too. Fantastic volunteers! Expo is small. Shirt is a finisher’s shirt you pick up at the finish.
I really enjoyed this race.

Race is at Vail Lake RV Resort in Temecula, CA. Most of race is on trails with some good ups and downs. There are tougher races, but this is not a walk in the park. There are usually first time half marathoners at the race each year. Nice medals and wine glasses for all finishers. Well stocked aid stations (water, electrolytes and gels) on the course, and a nice post race celebration with wine tasting and Subway sandwiches. Multiple pre-race packet pickup options and race day packet pickup available. Warning – most years this is a hot race – bring sunscreen. Great support from fellow runners. Come enjoy this smaller field race.

Great race with multiple distance options.
Ample parking at either end (point to point race.)
Part of the Beach Cities Series, and other “Combo/Multi race” medals are available.
Good on course support and aid stations.
Beautiful views at several points along the race.
Decent post race food, including chocolate milk.

Wizard of Oz Theme.
Military discounts available.
Nice expo; Day of race packet pickup available.
Outstanding after party. Lots of food, and adult beverages. (Plus your standard post race fare.)
Saturday race; can be doubled with other races.

Valentines themed race on Coronado Island in San Diego. Beautiful views of the bay as you run.
Three distances to choose from, depending on your mood.
Renew your wedding vows on the beach – during the race. (As the singles run by and cheer!)
Good support during the race, and a nice post race breakfast opportunity downtown Coronado.
Discounts for couples. Good parking available.

Nice race just across the river from Portland. Easy to double state.
Beautiful course with some historic sites along the way.
Host hotel is across the street from the Start/Finish.
Great post race food and entertainment.

Issues in 2016…
Course was short – hurt people trying to BQ.
Water stations ran out of water – hurt us BOPers

Race is in Oakland Hills. Trail Course.
Challenging up and down hills.
Well stocked aid stations.
This race is a personal favorite. The course has tripped me two years out of 3 now…. I’ll be back.
Part of the Coastal Trail Running Series.

Loop course – Choice of flat or hills.
Multiple distance or timed events.
Great support, and plenty of hot food.
Half and Full marathon also available.

Great women’s themed run in San Francisco.
Tiffany finisher’s necklace.
Ghirardelli chocolate during the race.
Oxygen bar during the race.
Fun experience!
Alas, the race is no more.

Mostly flat (except the Beast of Eden) course through Salinas Valley Wine Country.
Point to Point Course from Soledad Mission to Pessagno Winery.
Wine tasting in addition to good post race food and drink.
Nice long sleeve shirts.

Flat and fast course.
5th race in the Rock and Roll Race Series.
Bands every couple miles along the course to keep you going.
No free parking, put plenty of paid lots available.
Packet pickup at San Jose Convention Center.

Inaugural race.
Race goes through the park, and parts of Anaheim.
Character photo stops available.
Nice post race meal box for runners.
Very nice medal.
Good crowd support, and well stocked aid stations.

The former March half marathon at CSUMB / Ft. Ord.
This race no longer exists, but has been replaced by the November half.
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