Global Energy 10K & 5K (Los Angeles, CA)
Los Angeles, CA
- 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
We are excited to announce that we will be hosting our Global Energy Race to Pershing Square in DTLA this year! This year’s race will kick off at Pershing Square, have participants travel down some of DTLA’s most well known streets, past the famous Staples Center and Microsoft Square. Global … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Sep 20):
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
| H (°F) | 85 | 81 | 82 | 78 | 87 |
| L (°F) | 63 | 62 | 63 | 63 | 72 |
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A race well worth the price of admission
The Bimbo Global Energy Race 10K in Downtown Los Angeles is an incredible event that deserves high praise. The start line at LA Live sets the tone for an awesome … MORE
The Bimbo Global Energy Race 10K in Downtown Los Angeles is an incredible event that deserves high praise. The start line at LA Live sets the tone for an awesome race experience right in the heart of Downtown. The open street course along Figueroa is cool and allows runners to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the city. And here’s the best part: it’s free! Depending on when you sign up, the race entry can be complimentary, which is absolutely fantastic.
While street parking is available, finding a spot on race morning can be a bit challenging. However, once you hit the course, you’ll appreciate the easy route through downtown LA. The large number of participants creates a lively and energetic atmosphere, making the event even more enjoyable. And for those competitive spirits, there are some cool prizes for the top finishers.
What makes the Bimbo Global Energy Race 10K even more special is the fact that it’s a worldwide event. Being a part of something on such a global scale is truly remarkable and adds to the excitement.
To be fair, the course being an out and back can be a bit monotonous, and the crowd can get congested with walkers. It’s worth noting that this race is ideal for beginners and novices, but serious runners may not find it as challenging. However, considering it’s a free race, it’s hard to complain.
In conclusion, the Bimbo Global Energy Race 10K in Downtown Los Angeles is a must-attend event. The incredible start line, the cool street course, the complimentary entry, and the worldwide participation make it a race like no other. While there are some areas for improvement, the overall experience is undeniably positive. As an Ivy League athlete, Marine, and fitness influencer, I highly recommend this race to anyone looking for a fun and inclusive running event in the heart of LA.
Great expo and great swag
this was the first year for this event in downtown LA. In years past it had been in Long Beach. The venue was at LA Live and it was easy … MORE
this was the first year for this event in downtown LA. In years past it had been in Long Beach. The venue was at LA Live and it was easy to get to with plenty of parking. Downside was the course which was an out and back 5k (repeated a second time for the 10k) on Figueroa Street. Not very scenic nor challenging. fast and flat if you’re looking for time. can get very crowded at points as the sponsor had several no or low cost entry options.
A lot of BANG for your buck!
35 cities and 23 countries participated in the 4th annual Global Energy Race on September 23rd, 2018. This year the California event moved from Long Beach to LA Live in … MORE
35 cities and 23 countries participated in the 4th annual Global Energy Race on September 23rd, 2018. This year the California event moved from Long Beach to LA Live in Downtown Los Angeles.
Past participants and running clubs were given free entries. For those that purchased an entry, the prices were still incredibly reasonable. From June 2nd until July 31st, the 5K was only $10 and the 10K was only $20. The 5K sold out during this timeframe. From August 1st until August 31st, the 10K was only $30. From September 1st until September 22nd, the 10K was only $35. The 10K sold out approximately two weeks before the race date. Ambassadors spread 50% off discount codes all over social media, which certainly contributed toward the event selling out.
Packet pickup was on Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm in Culver City. For those unable to pick up their packet on Saturday, there was free race morning packet pickup available on Sunday starting at 6 am. The 10K started at 7:15 am and the 5K started at 7:30 am.
There are plenty of parking garages in downtown, however parking can be rather expensive. Many participants opted to take the metro. Taking the metro is always a stress-free preference of mine when going into downtown.
I enjoyed starting and finishing at LA Live, right across from the iconic Staples Center. The 10K course was two loops up and down Figueroa Dr while the 5K course was one loop. I ended up running a little extra mileage; in the end my Garmin registered 6.41 miles. Nearing the final turnaround, 10K runners had an earlier turnaround point than our previous loop. There was no signage and only a single volunteer trying to sort the 10K runners who needed to turn from the 5K walkers who needed to continue straight. I went right past her; never heard nor saw her until I was coming back in the other direction. In addition to running a little extra mileage, during my second loop I had to weave through many 5K participants walking in groups. For 2019, I think the 5K should either have a separate course or start slightly later.
The best part of the event was all of the freebies, by far. All participants received a drawstring bag containing a tech shirt and hat. Participants could then get in line to receive additional freebies including a visor, a waterproof cellphone pouch, Bimbo Bakeries “Bran Frut” cereal fig bars, Barcel Pop Crunchy Carmel popcorn, bagels and cream cheese. After the race, they were handing out entire boxes of the cereal bars and full packages of bagels. Additional post race freebies included bananas, small protein bars, bottles of Suja Juice and Kind Bars. Male and female first-place 10K winners received a trip for 2 to Madrid Spain to run in the 2019 Global Energy Race.
While the Los Angeles event needs some logistical improvement, I had a great time was surprised by the value of the registration cost. This is a great event for the running community and I will absolutely participate again in 2019.
Good swag, affordable but...
Pros: - super affordable, even last minute (although the 5k did sell out before race day, so don't wait to register. 10k was still available). Under $25 for 10k. - … MORE
Pros:
– super affordable, even last minute (although the 5k did sell out before race day, so don’t wait to register. 10k was still available). Under $25 for 10k.
– good swag: tech shirt, single arm sleeve, cinch bag, tech running hat. If you get in line on the morning of the race, they were giving out: chocolately Bimbo snacks (tasty!), granola-y bar, bagel with cream cheese packets and jelly packets, clear (probably waterproof?) pouch for your phone with a strap that goes around your neck, and a nice Bimbo branded visor with built in sweat band. At the finish line, you get a bottle of water and banana. Since they had leftover bagels, they were giving them out by the sleeve! A full bag!
– fastest male and female win flight & hotel accommodations for two to Madrid, Spain to compete in another race.
– finisher’s medal for all
– Bib pick up the day before the race (easy, fast, hassle free, free parking, Saturday) or you can pick up on the day of the race (Sunday) without paying an extra fee
– flat, easy course, doable for all fitness level
Cons:
– Parking was $15 (expected for LA, but… see third ‘con’ bullet)
– Not a lot of vendors
– course was the absolute worse!!! They had you running up and down Figueroa, looking at the same car dealership, fast food chain and homeless guy. They also have 5k runners crossing through the 10k runners’ course (not safe at all).
– Very crowded, so don’t expect to PR
Fun Race Nice Swag
This was your basic "race for a cause". Great thing was the Swag and the prizes for the top finishers. That's it. Pretty basic fun in the morning race. Race … MORE
This was your basic “race for a cause”. Great thing was the Swag and the prizes for the top finishers. That’s it. Pretty basic fun in the morning race. Race logistics were a bit out of hand, but the race directors did a great job managing with limited volunteers. Inexpensive race with above average SWAG (incl Tech Tee)
Hot!!!!!
This race started WAY TOO LATE which caused everyone to have to run under the hot sun! Although we had the view of the ocean, it got boring, after a … MORE
This race started WAY TOO LATE which caused everyone to have to run under the hot sun! Although we had the view of the ocean, it got boring, after a while, especially since the race was a “up and back” race. It was nice cel to know everyone around the world was racing at around the same time, but I really recommend the race start no later than 7:30.
Official Attempt??? Late Starting
Great flat and visually appealing course. Good warm up for the Long Beach marathon/half coming up in October. Race started 20-25minutes late :( this was very annoying as the temperature … MORE
Great flat and visually appealing course. Good warm up for the Long Beach marathon/half coming up in October. Race started 20-25minutes late 🙁 this was very annoying as the temperature was rising. Bib pick up was understaffed. Did not like the words “Official Attempt” on the back of the tech shirt. Nice small expo. Good snacks from Bimbo. This was my second year doing this event.
Beautiful Course - Better every year
This a beautiful flat run along the beach. This is the second year they hosted this race. They improved registration and bib pickup (same morning as race) as the layout … MORE
This a beautiful flat run along the beach. This is the second year they hosted this race. They improved registration and bib pickup (same morning as race) as the layout of the event was improved and volunteers were quick and organized. Unfortunately, many/most runners show up 30 min prior to the race and this created a huge delay in the race (started 30 min late) and long wait lines. I got there an hour early as they recommended and bib pickup was a breeze.
I’ll definitely do it again next year as they continue to become more organized. I think 3K families tend to show up later and this creates the huge surge just before race time. Otherwise, they have kids fun zone area, lots of great sponsers, freebies, recovery booth. Course layout/start was great improved this year so that 3K participants did not interfere with 10K participants (as they did last year).
Race management needs improvement
Pros: Nice shirt (but sized very large and loose), nice finisher medal/pin, good food giveaways at the start/finish, low cost Cons: Late start on a hot day, 10K racers hit … MORE
Pros: Nice shirt (but sized very large and loose), nice finisher medal/pin, good food giveaways at the start/finish, low cost
Cons: Late start on a hot day, 10K racers hit a wall of 3K walkers, forcing the runners on to the sand, poor website, lacking timely information on parking, no link to race results
First year "Global" run
This was the first year of the Global Energy Bimbo 5k/10k. Long Beach is one of the 26 venues around the world that host the races on the same day. … MORE
This was the first year of the Global Energy Bimbo 5k/10k. Long Beach is one of the 26 venues around the world that host the races on the same day. This event drew a good sized crowd because it was very inexpensive–$6 for each member on a team entry or $12 individually.. lots of swag and give aways at the expo because they are focused on building brand awareness through these runs. course is fast and flat. One item of note is that they do a big 3k walk and the start of that merges into the 10k run so the traffic on the course gets quite congested after the first two miles. also, minimal water station support on course and it was a hot day.