FroYo Run San Jose
San Jose, CA
- 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
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good to finish with some FroYo
the race was good. wish there was a shirt that went with the race. they gave you sunglasses and a hat and there was a spoon shaped medal at the … MORE
the race was good. wish there was a shirt that went with the race. they gave you sunglasses and a hat and there was a spoon shaped medal at the end where you also got a cup of Frozen Yogurt.
Fun race, well-organized
Except for the start and finish area, the race was on city streets, so all asphalt/cement and buildings. Easy to get to, good parking, yummy froyo following the race! MORE
Except for the start and finish area, the race was on city streets, so all asphalt/cement and buildings. Easy to get to, good parking, yummy froyo following the race!
Tasty & Family Friendly
Course description: There was much to like about the 2015 Froyo Run in San Jose, but the course isn't one of them, to me at least. It's not ugly or … MORE
Course description:
There was much to like about the 2015 Froyo Run in San Jose, but the course isn’t one of them, to me at least. It’s not ugly or unsafe (or otherwise unsuitable), it’s just not that beautiful. Further, the course is a 5K loop around central San Jose, which means 10K runners see the same sights twice. The 2015 San Jose Froyo Run started and finished at Arena Green East (Guadalupe River Park) near the HP Pavilion.
I may not be the best person to comment on this, as I much prefer trail races. And all but one of the street races I’ve done (9 of 10) have been in this part of San Jose. So I’ve been spoiled, and have limited street course experience. A good part of the 2015 San Jose Froyo Run course is in streets with clean, modern, commercial and municipal buildings, reasonably pleasant, just not my preference.
Organization & Production:
Race organization had several of the aspects to like in this event. There are several organizer “models” that I’ve experienced in the past 4 years. There are (inter)national organizers of large races, such as Rock ‘n’ Roll or runDisney. There are smaller regional organizers who do smaller races, e.g. Brazen racing or Coastal trail Runs. There are volunteer organizers who do one-off charity events (e.g. the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot or the OktobeRun). Run for FroYo is of another model, in which a large corporate sponsor engages an event organizing company to do a series of races to promote their product(s) or service(s). FroYo Run is such a series, 12 races in 2015, and benefiting local charities. On to some of the good stuff …
The sign-up process was quick, and packet pick-up was race day only. Between using a scan-able ticket (which runners had to print out beforehand and bring with them) and having lots of volunteers scanning and handing out swag bags, this was very quick. Toward the end, as the check-in line was getting long, I timed some one, and found that she was in line about 5 minutes. Check-in was quick, but runners had to choose between wearing their bag during the race (many did) or checking their bag (which was very simple). Bib numbers were distributed first-come-first-served. Results for every bib number were posted online, but if a runner wanted to have their name shown and be eligible for age group awards, they had to register their bib number online. It worked smoothly, but having to use a smart phone made it a bit clunky and slow. All in all, it was pretty evident that processes were kept simple and technology was used to make check-in quick (even giving out one-size-fits-all hats was probably done to be quicker than distributing multiple sizes of T-shirts).
Check-in began at 7AM, which is pretty typical; race start was at 9AM, which is NOT. I normally arrive at races early, and am accustomed to waiting a little longer than some folks, but two hours?! But for meeting (unplanned) and chatting with some friends, it would have been frustrating. More importantly, the race was held in Mid-August in San Jose, CA. Hot weather isn’t a certainty in San Jose, but it was hot this year! I understand that checking in ~2300 people takes time, even with an efficient process and lots of check-in stations. I think it would be better and wiser to open check-in at 6:45 and make check-in time 30 minutes shorter so as to start at 8:15. For those who felt the need (or wanted to kill time), there were two warm-up sessions. There were plenty of porta-cans; I NEVER saw a line (almost a violation of race tradition!).
The start … the start area was confined and compact, divided into 5 corral groups – not for the claustrophobic or agoraphobic. Spreading it out another 20 feet would have been nice (if the City of San Jose allowed it). The main access point into the start area was toward the back, so runners had to filter through the walkers and walker-runners to get to their corral area. I was worried at first about how the packed a start area would impact how quickly slower folks (like me) could start, but then the announcer mentioned that it would be a wave start (i.e. one corral group at a time, separated by a couple of minutes). Good. Organization. Choice.
There were 3 aid stations on-course, generous for a 5K course. The aid stations handed out only water, very minimal. The volunteer-organized OktobeRun has water and Gatorade, and the SV Turkey Trot has water and Gatorade plus GU gel packets at some aid stations. FroYo would do well to bring on a sports drink, and maybe a gel packet co-sponsor! I’ve read (in another review) that there were mile markers. I didn’t see them, but maybe I was too focused on my walking-running. I would have appreciated seeing mile markers. Maybe use larger mile markers?
Swag & Goodies:
I’m a bit torn here. I like race T-shirts (as Reb Tevye would say, “It’s a tradition!”). I wear them for work-outs, and I sometimes wear them in races. On the other hand, the hat is tech type and very nice, and the sunglasses are protective from UV (OTOH, the orange frame …). The hat is olive green, with the FroYo swirl logo and “FroYo Run” embroidered. The bibs are color-coded (green and orange, get it?) for the 5K and 10K distances. The finisher’s medal and ribbon are in FroYo’s corporate green and orange colors: the swirl logo in green; “FroYo Run 2015” in orange and the corporate font; the ribbon is orange with white lettering, “FroYo Run” and the swirl.
The finish line goodies were skimpy. FroYo is the sponsor of the race, and giving out samples of their product (together with logo-swag = advertising) is the premier feature of the finish area. But the FroYo plus unchilled bottles of water were it for goodies. Even ignoring Brazen Racing’s plentiful and varied finish line goodies, the variety at FroYo 2015 wasn’t. Simply adding cut up oranges, bananas, and bagels (if done by a co-sponsor it would cost FroYo nothing) would be a huge improvement, but still basic compared to what is common in race finish areas.
My Results & Opinion of the Race:
My expectations coming into this race were quite moderate. This is context for my review and impressions of the overall race experience, not to denigrate the FroYo Run. I’ve done several races in central San Jose, and knew it wouldn’t be a gorgeous course. I signed up because it was close & convenient, the medal looked cool, and it suited a goal toward which I’m working (transitioning from walking to running in races).
In regard to the latter purpose, I was quite happy. I did do some running, which I’m sure improved my finish time by several minutes. Mission accomplished, onward and upward!
As to my overall opinion, I’m in a bit of a quandary. Were the FroYo Run a well-established race, in the context of what is common/normal in the SF Bay Area, I’d rate it 3 shoes. But my understanding is that this is the FroYo Run’s inaugural season. For that and the fact that it could improve “easily”, I’m giving it 4 shoes. One thing I appreciated greatly was that the race was geared to be very family-friendly. The pre-race and post-race pace was relaxed. There was a costume and a gummy bear toss contest (with a very chatty announcer). And, of course, frozen yogurt with toppings is very kid-friendly. I saw many families doing the race as a family event (including one largish group of families from a homeschoolers’ support group). The 2015 San Jose FroYo Run was also very friendly for runners who don’t do a lot of organized races. On the whole, the fundamentals of the race organization were solid – no mess-ups or bottlenecks that would spoil the race experience. I hope FroYo and its event organizer learn from this year and come back next year providing an even better race experience.
Addendum: FroYo Run recently sent out a Survey Monkey survey to people who did the FroYo Run. While not saying so in so many words, this strongly suggests to me that there will be a next year. They definitely stated that they want to improve the FroYo Run, and included a text box for improvement suggestions.
Second Addendum: sfgal78 commented in her review that the FroYo Run 10K course was as much as a half mile short. I was uncertain of this, as the course had several out-and-back short leglets, and went between large buildings a number of times. I don’t know how well GPS watches work in that sort of environment (especially between large buildings). I did a 10K on 10/17/2015 in which my performance was similar to or a bit better than what I did in the FroYo 10K, except my finish time was 5 minutes longer. That isn’t anything like a precise comparison, but I think it confirms sfgal78’s observation. Because of this, I’ve also down-rated the Overall rating and Race production rating. A 10K course that is a half mile, >8%, short is sloppy organization, and who wants a PR time that is not real? I deleted my time, which was a “PR”. I’d rather my Past Races list look like I DNFed than to have a bogus finish time.
run for a cup of frozen yogurt!
i was looking forward to this event all summer long since it was heavily advertised as the "sweetest" run where you'd be rewarded with a cup of froyo upon crossing … MORE
i was looking forward to this event all summer long since it was heavily advertised as the “sweetest” run where you’d be rewarded with a cup of froyo upon crossing the finish line. it would be the first ever frozen yogurt run in san jose, and the bay area for that matter, and my friends and i were super excited to participate in this inaugural event.
on what would be one of the hottest days this summer with a forecast of 97 F in san jose, my friends and i, along with 2000 or so other participants, trekked downtown to the arena green, hoping that we would all finish the race before it got too warm. a tall order for a race that had a start time of 9am. normally, i’d be rejoicing for a race that started later = extra sleep time! but today, i was secretly wishing that the race started at 7 or 8, when it was cooler outside.
what i liked about the race:
+reasonable RACE REGISTRATION FEES as i paid $40.45 for the 10k race, early-bird group rate for groups of 4 or more. the 5k was a few dollars less.
+the ORGANIZERS were very prompt in responding to all of the emails that i sent before race day
+very FAMILY FRIENDLY as i saw many families, children, and strollers at this event
+VOLUNTEERS were very efficient in checking folks in on race morning, handing us our goody bags and bibs, directing us on all turns during the race (there were a lot), manning the aid stations, handing out medals and bottled water at the finish
+complimentary BAG/GEAR CHECK at the start/finish area
+lots of PORTA-POTTIES at the start/finish area; thankfully, i never had to wait for one, which is rare at a large event
+STAGGERED START TIMES for each wave of runners, based on estimated pace (a group was released every couple of minutes to avoid congestion on course)
+CLEAR SIGNAGE to distinguish the 10k and 5k routes when the 5k participants split off towards the finish chute
+free cup of FROZEN YOGURT WITH TOPPINGS at the finish area, perfect for such a hot day!
+unique SCHWAG including a medal in the form of a swirl, a dri-fit hat with race logo, a green drawstring bag, and coupon for free frozen yogurt at yogurtland
+in addition to the usual overall and age group AWARDS, they also had awards for best costume, fastest stroller, and fastest frozen yogurt eater!
what i did not like about this race:
-REGISTRATION PROCESS was a bit unorthodox. since i signed up my group of 5 as one transaction, all of the tickets were put under my name and i had to email each of my friends with the individual tickets/bar codes.
-since everything was under my name and email, i was the only one RECEIVING UPDATES re the race, so each time an update was sent out, i had to forward them on to my friends…the week of the race, they had multiple updates, which made for a busy week for me.
-there was no PRE-RACE BIB AND PACKET PICKUP so we had to arrive at the race early, line up, and pick up our goody bag and bibs.
-BIB NUMBERS were not assigned in advance, so after picking up bibs on race morning, we had to use our smart phones to register our bibs with our name, age, and gender in order to be eligible for age group awards…i have never had to do this for another race!
-while there was dedicated PARKING at the SAP center parking lot a block away, we had to pay $5 per car. good thing i carpooled with a friend!
-no race T-SHIRT for this event….something that almost every race offers in this day and age
-UNINTERESTING COURSE which took us around downtown san jose where we only saw buildings
-MISSING MILE SIGNAGE along the course….i only saw the mile markers for mile 2 and 3
-10k COURSE was two loops of the 5k course, so in addition to seeing the same boring buildings twice, i also saw mile markers 2 and 3 twice
-INCORRECT COURSE MEASUREMENTS as the 10k was about 5.74 miles long, about 1/2 mile shy of the official 6.2 miles for a 10k. i believe the 5k was about 2.88 miles, which also falls short of the official 3.1 miles for a 5k. while this led to all of my friends crossing the finish line with great times, we knew that these times did not reflect the true 10k distance which was a bit of a letdown.
-the BOTTLED WATER at the end of the race was warm, which is not ideal esp for such a warm day….~75/80 degrees at the time
-the POST-RACE FROYO was great, but the pre-packaged cup of froyo was a bit hard and the texture was closer to ice cream vs froyo and the small cup wasn’t filled to capacity…i’d say it was approximately 4 ounces of froyo per cup/per participant. they also ran out of one flavour well before everyone had finished running/walking.
-aside from froyo, there was NO OTHER FOOD offered at the end, no bagels, no bananas, nothing.
-RESULTS were not physically posted anywhere onsite and you had to keep checking online for them to be posted, which was several hours after the conclusion of the event.
although i really like the concept of a froyo run, some details definitely need to be ironed out before they hold a second running of this event.