Kaiser Permanente Women’s Fitness Festival
Sacramento, CA
- 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Please join us for the Kaiser Permanente Women’s Fitness Festival taking place this on 9th Street, between L Street and Capitol Mall. This is a one-of-a-kind all women’s event that includes medals and a beautiful race tee for 5K/10K finishers. Participants of the Princess ½-Mile Fun Run receive a medal. … MORE
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7th time
The 19th running of the Women's Fitness Festival event was held on June 2, 2024, with a 5K, 10K, kid's run, and adaptive runners included. This was my 7th time … MORE
The 19th running of the Women’s Fitness Festival event was held on June 2, 2024, with a 5K, 10K, kid’s run, and adaptive runners included.
This was my 7th time running this (2011-2013, 2015, 2017, and 2018), mostly the 5K distance except for one year where I completed the 10K race. First post-pandemic participation for me. Over the years the sponsors have changed, the 10K route was added, the half marathon distance was canceled, the women-only theme stayed, the brand/style of technical shirt changed, and a medal for participants became available starting in 2015. The location remains around the Capitol, and beneficiary is WEAVE (Women Escaping A Violent Environment).
The email for participants regarding packet pickup, traffic/parking notes, and race-day closures did not have “Women’s Fitness Festival” in the subject line. I also noticed that while the parking notes said the Capitol Garage had no race-day parking this year, the “Directions” section still navigated to the Capitol Garage.
Packet pickup was held at Fleet Feet Sacramento and was available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday there, or race morning at 9th and Capitol. This was well-organized and straightforward with bibs by distance and last name, tech shirt, and pins. No other swag bag. The color of the shirt this year was a berry purple, but the cut was a crew neck (versus V-neck), and something about the seams at the shoulders fell funny on me, where they bunch up. A different brand…back in 2011 the shirts were Nike Dri-fit! Volunteers could get $15 credit/voucher toward Fleet Feet.
For 2024, due to other events, the usual Capitol Garage on 10th and L was not available for parking. Street parking meters (except Old Sac) are free on Sundays, but no parking on L or N Streets around Capitol Park. It was suggested that you arrive 1 hour early, take the light rail, or park at a parking garage located at 1500 10th Street (between O & P across from the California Museum, with a $3 flat rate. With only a single lane to enter the garage, this was a bottleneck — also a lot of construction on the 9th street/West side of the Capitol.
Plenty of portable bathrooms near the start/finish, but I didn’t see any near the aid station. I saw one arrowed sign pointing from the Capitol to the Start Line, but you really had to be listening to the emcee to be on the correct side of the Start Line. Adaptive runners went first, and the 5K and 10K started together instead of staggered starts, with no corrals by pace. The kid’s race was last as a shorter out and back. 7:30 AM start, but it was warm June weather.
On the course itself, I didn’t realize that there were two “lanes,” with the right lane meant for the 10K runners. Volunteers could tell 5K runners with blue bibs and 10K runners with their orange bibs. The one aid station I noticed had only water and no electrolytes. 5Kers did one loop of the course, and 10Kers did two loops. When it got close to the end, volunteers had to yell for 5K runners to hang left to the finish line, and 10K runners to hang right to start their second loop. A megaphone might have been better. The 10K leader did have the lead bike to assist her in getting through the middle-rear pack of 5Kers.
Medals at the finish line, Giggle & Riot photobooth, and the Kaiser Thrive Pavilion had passports where if you visited at least 8 booths, you could get a clear fanny/waist pack. At their booths themselves there were other themed freebies like stress balls, measuring spoons, snack containers, sunglasses, sunscreen, handouts for lifestyle management, and even an at-home colon cancer stool test kit you can mail in. It was neat to learn about breast health, blood pressure, heart/stroke, pediatrics, child seat safety, etc.
Fleet Feet also had its own arched area, and for breakfast, you could get a bowl of granola with oat milk, strawberries, and bananas. Water and Zico chocolate coconut water were also available. Mimosa garden admittance with wristband and tearing off the bottom of your bib. At the rest of the race expo, there were other vendors such as Buffalo Running Chips, Sacfit running/walking club, Urban Cow 5K/Half, local yoga studio, Kangen water, trufru, Built Bar, Menowell samples, CHP, and more, if you’re a spin-the-wheel for a prize kind of person.
Timing is provided by Capitol Road Race Management, and free race photos and media are available along with a digital finisher certificate on Athlinks.com.
WFF 2018: 5K OK, parking problematic
The parking situation was horrendous this year. Parking Panda allowed for reserving spots in the nearest city garage for $5 flat, but Rachelle O. had to bail from my car … MORE
The parking situation was horrendous this year. Parking Panda allowed for reserving spots in the nearest city garage for $5 flat, but Rachelle O. had to bail from my car just to get to the start line. Exited J St., turned right on 12th. Took 20 minute crawl to get to L St. and another 20 minutes to go down one lane of L to turn on 10th to enter the garage. QR code scanned fine, was attended at entrance. Had to park on 5th level and by the time I got to the start line it was 7:45am, when the race officially started at 7:30am.
Not the best mood starting a race. Course was empty until I caught up to the walkers and had to maneuver through/around/past them. Utilized the 10K lane on the right of the cones when I could. Also, weather was so hot!
On a good note, the packet pickup was a cinch, tech shirt very nice thick and great quality, medal race bling big and colorful.
Nugget Market provided granola bowls and fruit, and reusable foldable bags while supplies lasted. 4 lines so this wasn’t terrible but still long. Mimosa garden was good, 2 lines moved pretty fast. Kaiser booths gave you a reusable bag if you visited at least 4 stations. Their photo booth was fun, props and printed photo strips to take home. Blue Diamond Almonds freebies galore, KIND crunchy peanut butter bars. Other vendors were promoting future races such as Remember 9/11, Ovarian Cancer, Urban Cow, Buffalo Stampede, Susan B Anthony, CIM. KAIA fitness, a boxing studio, and others too.
I liked how they brought the expo back to the capitol steps instead of the grassy area along Capitol Mall — more places to sit and landmarks to meet up with friends. 5Kers get first dibs at medals, mimosas, food, etc. until 10Kers finish. Free race photos if you opt-in on Facebook, CRRM race results on Athlinks.
Quick Capitol city run
Have run this race four times (5K), the half marathon distance was cancelled for 2015. I liked the Nike tech shirt everyone got in 2011, then they switched to Mizuno/Asics … MORE
Have run this race four times (5K), the half marathon distance was cancelled for 2015. I liked the Nike tech shirt everyone got in 2011, then they switched to Mizuno/Asics I believe. The medals this year were new and pretty design. The course starts near Capitol, and is pretty much along city streets/blocks. Whole Foods breakfast/bags, Blue Diamond almonds, Kaiser Permanente wellness booths, photobooth, massages, etc at the finish.
Lotza Goinz On
This event begins and ends at the California State Capitol building. There are many booths with information about women's health. The race began at 7:30 in weather perfect for running, … MORE
This event begins and ends at the California State Capitol building. There are many booths with information about women’s health. The race began at 7:30 in weather perfect for running, jog/walking or walking. The refreshments were okay and the music was great! It was nice to see pre-teens, tweens and teens participating as well.