Independence Day Classic
Newhall, CA
- 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Local Historical Weather (Jul 04):
| 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
| H (°F) | 96 | 82 | 83 | 92 | 91 |
| L (°F) | 64 | 61 | 63 | 68 | 67 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
A small race on a flat course
I entered this race based 100% on proximity to my home. I didn't have time or budget at the time to travel to races. I only knew that I wanted … MORE
I entered this race based 100% on proximity to my home. I didn’t have time or budget at the time to travel to races. I only knew that I wanted to get back into running 10ks, which I had enjoyed very much as a teenager. Little did I know when I signed up how small this race is. . . despite having what I thought was a pretty respectable time for a woman my age, I was way, way, way back in the pack. I got the feeling that most of the runners were part of the same Santa Clarita runners club and I was, in 2017, just starting out, doing my first race in over 30 years and not a member of any running club.
I’m pretty glad I did not check the prior years’ times before signing up. I would mos def have chickened out. That said, it isn’t a terrible thing to be a snail runner. I sweat just as much as everyone else. I exert myself. I enjoy myself.
Being a small race there was a bit of a kerfluffle trying to figure out just where the parking/start point was. The roads were blocked (for the race) rendering our GPS directions useless. I ended up having to run from from my friend’s car while he navigated finding the parking lot – – sprinting to the start line was pretty hilarious. I got there pretty much just in time. If you are doing this race for the first time I recommend doing what I did: take advantage of the “contact us” link. Someone will (eventually) contact you, no matter how silly your question is, they help.
The course is a trail made for joggers and bikers so it is far from car exhaust and traffic. That is a plus. But the scenery is only so-so.
I would like to run it again in 2019 because it remains a race close enough to my home that I do not have to travel overnight to get there. I skipped it in 2018 in favor or the Santa Clarita Arts run. The courses are very similar but not exactly the same. This race is better than that one because it starts earlier in the morning (my preference due to the heat.) Independence day classic is also less expensive. The Arts race is better than this one because of the entertainment. And because you are supporting the arts.
Either race is great if you want to know what it’s like to run a 10k!