This is a run I register for every year. This is the sixth year and I am a legacy member, having finished all six years. It is nice, not only … MORE
This is a run I register for every year. This is the sixth year and I am a legacy member, having finished all six years. It is nice, not only because the race director is awesome and the swag is good, but it is familiar. I know the course, I know what to expect, and that helps when it gets challenging. There are some hills in Hollywood and the streets are very slanted, so I run right down the yellow line. The streets could use some repairs also. Nearing the 10-11 mile marker a woman in front of me tripped on a bump in the road and fell, scrapping her elbow. The finish line is calling because around 11.5 you pass it, but have to keep going out, then turn around and come back. But overall it is a nice run. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Blvd, and through the small towns like Little Armenia, Thai Town, etc. are really cool. Always a great production and I have enjoyed it each year. I always make it a nice long weekend trip from Phoenix.
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Sixth running
This is a run I register for every year. This is the sixth year and I am a legacy member, having finished all six years. It is nice, not only … MORE
This is a run I register for every year. This is the sixth year and I am a legacy member, having finished all six years. It is nice, not only because the race director is awesome and the swag is good, but it is familiar. I know the course, I know what to expect, and that helps when it gets challenging. There are some hills in Hollywood and the streets are very slanted, so I run right down the yellow line. The streets could use some repairs also. Nearing the 10-11 mile marker a woman in front of me tripped on a bump in the road and fell, scrapping her elbow. The finish line is calling because around 11.5 you pass it, but have to keep going out, then turn around and come back. But overall it is a nice run. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Blvd, and through the small towns like Little Armenia, Thai Town, etc. are really cool. Always a great production and I have enjoyed it each year. I always make it a nice long weekend trip from Phoenix.
Won't run this again
The only thing I liked about this race was the medal and the tech shirt. Too many switchbacks on this course. The expo/bib pick up was at a theatre which … MORE
The only thing I liked about this race was the medal and the tech shirt.
Too many switchbacks on this course. The expo/bib pick up was at a theatre which stunk of mildew. Race time was very early (6am) which made it difficult for me to get to via MTA train. Other runners in this race were beyond rude. Ran this once in 2016 but never again.
Hollywood
I have done this race 5 of the 6 years and I plan to keep on doing it... Very nice run through Hollywood CA, the race my start a little … MORE
I have done this race 5 of the 6 years and I plan to keep on doing it… Very nice run through Hollywood CA, the race my start a little late but hey this can be overlooked.
Fifth Year running
This year the run unveiled a new medal design for the 5th anniversary. I am a legacy member, having run all five years - and I am registered for year … MORE
This year the run unveiled a new medal design for the 5th anniversary. I am a legacy member, having run all five years – and I am registered for year 6 in 2017. After that I may drop out. Not because of the race, but there are many others around the country I want to do that seem to be on the same weekend.
The Race Director, Ken Nwadike, is my favorite race director because he always listens and makes improvements based on what the feedback is. He has become so famous as the Free Hugs guy that I am impressed he continues to have the time to put on the run.
The scenery is nice – down the Hollywood Walk of Fame and you see many of the famous buildings. Good view of the Hollywood sign coming back. The end is the only thing that is challenging because you run by the finish line but still have about a mile left. Other than that, by now the run production and event itself is flawless.
This was my slowest year running it. In the beginning years of the event I was in shape, but I have become lazier and fatter over the years. While the race itself has improved every year, my performance has decreased.
Last Year Running
The course has a lot of switch backs so there were lots of people cutting the course. The expo has limited number of vendors. The course is super flat but … MORE
The course has a lot of switch backs so there were lots of people cutting the course. The expo has limited number of vendors. The course is super flat but you have to run past the finish line almost a mile before you turn back around and actually get to finish. Will not be running again.
I made it in Hollywood
First off let me say the race is not a bad race. It does however have a few too many out and backs for my liking. Now that I have … MORE
First off let me say the race is not a bad race. It does however have a few too many out and backs for my liking. Now that I have said that, let’s get to the nitty gritty of the expo, the race, the finish and the swag.
The vendor expo is small and a bit chaotic. I had to pick up my number at one end of the Palladium and then walk to the other side to pick up my shirt. The vendor who supplies the for purchase race gear had limited numbers of each item and limited number of size runs. So if you are like me and wear a large women’s shirt and wanted to purchase you were out of luck unless you came early!
The race was fun. The start line is in front of Mann’s Chinese Theater and there was an opportunity to check out a few stars on the Walk of Fame. There was the Hollywood lights overhead and lots of good music. The only complaints I have here are the way the corals were set and lack of visible pacer signs as well as the 1/2, 10k and 5k all starting at the same time. People were friendly and I have never seen so many selfie stick at a race. Once the race started the course took an immediate right turn just past the timing mats for your first out and back. Speaking of timing mats, there are several timing mats along the course to ensure you run the complete course. It is easy to cut the course because of the number of out and backs and how they are set up. The mileage was well marked and the first water stops on the way out were well manned. The water stops on the way back around mile 5 or 6 were a bit overwhelmed with volunteers trying to refill water cups. There is very little crowd support once you past mile 2 as Hollywood Blvd is mostly a business district. I found this run was oddly quiet and actually enjoyed just taking in all the old buildings and signs as well as graffiti on the walls. Costumes were great for those who wore them for the 5k and 10k races. I did hear chatter they were looking to alter the course in the future.
The finish line is just off Hollywood Blvd and as in past reviews of this race you have to run past the street and travel about 3/4 of mile down and back to finish. It is a little long mentally but once you hit the finish line it is well organized. Volunteers are making sure you only take one of everything to ensure all finishers have the opportunity to recover.
SWAG!! 2016 is the 5th year this race was run and the medal reflected every year prior. It is one of the nicest medals I have earned.
Lights, Camera, Action!!!!!
This was my second time running this event and it was just as good as the first. The race start off on Hollywood Blvd and makes its way through many … MORE
This was my second time running this event and it was just as good as the first. The race start off on Hollywood Blvd and makes its way through many iconic landmarks. Its mostly a flat course with some minor hills but does offer runners a challenge. There is plenty of on course support and the finishers medal is very nice and unique. A very well organized event and definitely one you should experience.
The Race I Love to Hate
I keep coming back to this race..but I hate it! :) There is no race day pickup, so you have to drive to downtown LA the day before, Thursday or … MORE
I keep coming back to this race..but I hate it! 🙂 There is no race day pickup, so you have to drive to downtown LA the day before, Thursday or Friday, fight LA traffic, take off work, pay to park..grrrrr
The race starts godawful early, 6 am, so you need to get up before 4 am drive to LA find a parking structure, pay to park, and find the porta-pottie lines. Oh and they need MORE porta-potties. Gear check is near the finish line…but the start line is a mile away, so much for staying warm before the race! Bring something to wear that you plan to toss. The local homeless will than you, well they really won’t thank you, they are not that polite, but there are a lot of them there. Also, be sure to park south of the course if you hope to get back to the freeway sometime that same day after the race.
But I keep coming back. The race director is awesome, he is so enthusiastic, you just want him to succeed. The race is made fun, costumes, klieg lights! rockin’ music! the shirt is attractive, the medal is outstanding, and he has free marathonfotos for all.
Things I would change: the course, omigod up and back another side street and a hairpin turn around another cone? Kill me now! Oh, and pass the finish line, run another mile, then turn back? Can we go back to the course that went to Silver Lake, please!!? Age group awards only to the top 1. Huh, why not the top 3 like other races? skip the hoky Finisher certificate that is emailed out., and go 3 deep on the age groups. Everything else I’d keep. 🙂
Continues to improve
This was the fourth year for the run, and I have completed each one of them. I definitely consider Ken E Nwadike Jr one of the best, if not the … MORE
This was the fourth year for the run, and I have completed each one of them. I definitely consider Ken E Nwadike Jr one of the best, if not the best race director in the country. There were challenges in the first year and they were resolved by year 2. He takes feedback from all runners and works to incorporate it in the upcoming year’s run. This year was a good example when the initial date of the run was moved to Sunday, but overwhelmingly people wanted it back on Saturday. He moved it back. The race medals are excellent, the swag is great, and it continues to improve. For those who have completed all four years and are founding legacy members he definitely goes out of the way to ensure they are taking care of. This year there were Walk of Fame stars with some runner names on it, a nice dry-fit legacy hat, and the medal that I like. Next year will be a new medal design for the 5th anniversary. I just completed this run on Saturday and have already registered for 2016. I look forward to this run every year. Plus it is a nice long weekend family trip where they get to relax on the beach in Santa Monica.
Hooray for Hollywood!
It was fun seeing all of the Hollywood sites! I'm pretty sure that a movie star told me that he liked my shirt. :) haha...It was a great adventure. MORE
It was fun seeing all of the Hollywood sites! I’m pretty sure that a movie star told me that he liked my shirt. 🙂 haha…It was a great adventure.