Lance Null's Staging Area

Judgment Day was the first in-person race in Kern County since the pandemic hit. Only 325 in person participants (plus virtual runners) participated in this event, with a modified course for this year. The course was great with a lot of flat trails along the Kern river, and a large hill in the middle. I really enjoyed the course, and look forward to returning when normalcy is restored.
Good job with safety measures in this weird year. Masks required before and after the race (with disposable masks available), temperatures were checked before entry into the start/finish area was allowed. Rolling starts allowed minor separation of participants at the start, and plenty of space on the course.

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

This is a nice weekend challenge for the WDW Marathon Weekend. You run the half and the full, picking up 3 medals and 3 shirts. Plenty of character stops. Get your money’s worth and get some photos along the way.

Nice run in San Pedro California over the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
Most of the race is on HWY 47 in the industrial docks area.
2013 Had the Inaugural (and only) half marathon distance for this race.
Great views from the bridge.
Good post race support.
Free entrance to USS Iowa included with race bib!

Opportunity to run a 5k the day before.
Good course support.
In 2013, it started raining as soon as the race started. Bad luck for me.
Nice area to stay warm before the race.
Good post race support.

One of the Florida Disney runs.
Women’s themed, but men are welcome.
Run in a costume for more fun.
Typical Disney – line up in the middle of the night and wait for the race to start.
Nice character photo ops, and very nice medals.

New race through the Salinas Wine Country.
Point to point race from Soledad Mission to Pessagno Winery.
Plenty of parking near mission. Buses take you back back to parking lot.
Nice long sleeve technical shirt.
Wine tasting at the finish!

Women’s focused half marathon in San Francisco.
Finisher’s medal is a Tiffany necklace!
The 2006 edition was with a friend for her first half marathon.
Boudin bakery located along the race course.
Sadly, this race is no more.