Hook and Ladder Run
Livermore, CA
- 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Hook and Ladder Run features a 5K Run/Walk on 50% paved road, 50% dirt road. Stroller friendly. Aid station at approx. 2.5 mile. The 10K Run is a run only that is 90% dirt road and 10% paved road. Strollers are not allowed on the 10K Course. Both the … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jun 04):
| 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| H (°F) | 79 | 97 | 79 | 91 | 75 |
| L (°F) | 53 | 65 | 56 | 54 | 54 |
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summer run through wine country
i don't normally trek all the way out to east bay to run races, especially an event that is 40+ miles away from home, but since i was going with … MORE
i don’t normally trek all the way out to east bay to run races, especially an event that is 40+ miles away from home, but since i was going with a group of friends and we planned to make it an all day event in livermore’s wine country, with running, brunching, and wine tasting, i said “why the heck not?”
also, the proceeds from this event benefit the livermore-pleasanton firefighters foundation, which supports injured and fallen firefighters, burn foundation and local charities in the tri valley area. definitely a worthy case to run/walk for!
for this particular event, there was a choice of 2 distances:
1. 10k (6.2 miles)
2. 5k (3.1 miles)
i originally planned to run the 10k, but later downgraded to the 5k b/c i didn’t want to tire myself out for the rest of the day’s festivities. note that i was able to change distances simply by calling the phone number for on your mark events, the official race organizer, and telling someone what change i wished to make. easy peasy!
the pros:
-VERY REASONABLE race fees, $30 for the 5k and $35 for the 10k if you register during the early bird period
-takes place at WENTE VINEYARDS in livermore, a beautiful vineyard with lots of scenery, definitely a unique venue for a race
-CLEAR MILE MARKERS for each race distance, in different colours so that participants could differentiate the 5k vs 10k
-ACCURATELY MEASURED DISTANCE, as my garmin read 3.12 miles upon crossing the finish line which is pretty much spot on with the official 5k race distance of 3.1 miles. my friends who ran the 10k informed me that they calculated exactly 6.2 miles, which again, is spot on with the official race distance.
-FORGIVING TERRAIN as most of the course took place on crushed dirt, gravel, or grass, which is easier on the joints!
-FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS directing runners in the parking area, manning aid stations along the course, and keeping the refreshments’ tables well stocked after the race. i especially appreciated that every volunteer i asked a question to knew the answer, so they prepped well for race day!
-FREE and EASY PARKING just inside the main gates of the vineyard and along the street
-SWANKY, CLEAN PORTA-POTTIES near the parking and start/finish areas. OMG, i’ve never experienced such nice porta-toilets before! these individual stalls had very secure locks on the doors, FLUSHABLE toilets, liquid soap, clean running water, and paper towels. i was very impressed by the quality of these portable restrooms supplied for us runners!
-COMPLIMENTARY BAG CHECK at the finish area tent (a couple minutes away from the parking and start/finish line) with volunteers to guard your bags until after the race
what you get:
*choice of PACKET PICKUP @ fleet feet sports in pleasanton the two days prior to the race or on site pick up the morning of. since my friends and i live in south bay, all of us arrived early for on site pickup and experienced no wait.
*white, cotton, FINISHER’S SHIRT with a colourful hook & ladder race logo
*GOODIE BAG filled with race schwag, a chap stick, pin, id holder, pen, key ring, discounts to local retailers. the actual bag was a reusable safeway organics bag which was very pretty.
*several AID STATIONS with volunteers handing out cups of water
*TONS of POST-RACE FOOD & DRINKS, including chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies, mini clif bars, bags of salted pretzels, assorted muffins, jelly beans, apples, bananas, zico coconut water, coffee, and water
*COMPLIMENTARY CHAIR MASSAGE, compliments of massage envy, underneath the finisher’s tent (in the shade!) although i didn’t have time to take advantage of this, it was definitely a nice perk!
bonuses for top finishers:
*a white, dri-fit shirt for the first 20 men and 20 women to cross the finish line in each distance (this is based on order of finish, not chip time)
*customized finishers’ medals for the top 3 men and top 3 women in each age group
*a bottle of wine for the winner in each male/female age group
the cons:
-it was a HOT day in the tri-valley wine country, already well over 60 when the gun went off and nearly 70 when most of us finished, without a cloud in the sky or even a gentle breeze to keep us cool
-the 5k course had quite a few sharp turns, with some portions on tall, thick grass, which made it difficult to accelerate
-this course was also not very scenic. although we ran through sycamore park, we didn’t actually see much other than trees and grass.
although i was dying from the heat, i still managed to finish with a pretty good 5k time, my second best ever, placing 7th overall female, and earning the bonus dri-fit shirt, and second in my age group, earning a customized event medal. i was definitely a happy camper heading home!
thank you, to on your mark events, for putting on this terrific event!