Foster City 10 Miler
Foster City, CA
- 10 Miler, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
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No frills, but not too bad.
I'm kind of torn about whether this race should get 3 or 4 stars. If I could, I'd probably give it 3.5. See, the trouble is that how great of … MORE
I’m kind of torn about whether this race should get 3 or 4 stars. If I could, I’d probably give it 3.5. See, the trouble is that how great of a race it is depends on what you want out of it and what you expect, and how much what you want is worth to you money-wise.
PROS:
– good organization
– flat, fast, somewhat scenic course
– small field (a con for some people but I like small races)
– professionally timed/supported
CONS:
– little to no crowd support
– not much post-race action
– no medal
– no pictures
– kind of pricey for what you get
All I really wanted was a fast, supported course on which to run 10 straight marathon pace miles without stopping, so for my purposes, it was fine, but I know that for a lot of people, if they’re forking over $70-$85, they’re expecting a few more perks. (It sounds like part of the reason for the higher prices right now is the small field. If more runners signed up, fixed costs would be distributed among more people and the prices might go down.)
Small race, but well organized
I think this was the second running of the Foster City 10 miler - and has a partnership with the people that put on the Oakland Running Festival. I signed … MORE
I think this was the second running of the Foster City 10 miler – and has a partnership with the people that put on the Oakland Running Festival. I signed up because a friend was running and had a discount code. They have a 10 miler and 5 K, both groups start together, although they told the 10 milers to line up in front. Which if I were a fast 5Ker, I’d be a little peeved. The 5K does an out and back, and the 10 Miler loops around Foster City.
Race organization was great. I happened to pick up my bib early in Oakland, but bib pickup at the start seemed to go smoothly. Parking was not a big issue, and the start line seemed well organized. The race itself is a little monotonous. It is flat, so if you want a fast race you’ve got it! Foster City does have some greenways that you run, but most of the residential areas look the same. Not bad, but not fabulous scenery.
Post race organization is good too. Oddly, you pick up your shirt after you run the race. Which isn’t typical, and I wonder if some people forgot their shirts (I had to remind some of the women I was talking to). The shirt itself is okay. Honestly, I had seen last year’s shirt, and kind of wish I had gotten that one. Last year was a cotton long sleeve, with a nice logo. This year was a short sleeve technical shirt, two-tone.
Everything went smoothly, and I’m happy to have run it. But I don’t think this is a race you would go out of your way for.
Flat & fast. Great way to start the year
This was my second time running the Foster City 10-miler. Pros: easy logistics, small race, flat course, scenic course (if somewhat boring after a while). The cops stationed along the … MORE
This was my second time running the Foster City 10-miler.
Pros: easy logistics, small race, flat course, scenic course (if somewhat boring after a while). The cops stationed along the course to direct traffic are pretty friendly.
Cons: The stretch along the Bay Trail seems never-ending and can be mentally challenging. No bathrooms along the course. Almost no spectators. No medals (not a con for me, but I know other people who care about that stuff).
The course is mostly the same as last year, with small changes in the first 2 miles that were not a big deal. The mile marker placement has improved compared to last year, and they have a better finish line setup as well, with volunteers giving out water and oranges. However, they ran out of Gatorade and other promised food items (chocolate milk, coconut water, and granola bars), which was an issue last year as well. It seems like the 5K runners help themselves to most of the refreshments, leaving very little for the 10-milers — and I even finished in the first half of the pack; I can’t imagine that there was enough water and fruit for those coming in at the very end.
I really like the timing of this race. It keeps me motivated to run over the holidays, and it’s only 2-3 weeks before the Kaiser Half marathon, so it’s a good opportunity to practice the whole race routine.