Event & Course Description: The KAMB Family Fun Run (FFR) is a charity race to support a radio station that plays Contemporary Christian Music. In 2018 it was run in … MORE
Event & Course Description: The KAMB Family Fun Run (FFR) is a charity race to support a radio station that plays Contemporary Christian Music. In 2018 it was run in Woodward Park in Fresno, CA. There were 5K and 10K distances, plus a 1 mile walk. The 5K course was sort of a rectangular loop around the perimeter of the park, with a short tail at the start and finish. 10K runners did the loop twice.
For about half the course runners had major streets on their left, for about a quarter there was a freeway or four lane highway on the left, and then for the remaining quarter – the northern side of the park – runners had a view of what looked like a flood bypass (very green in April), with the treeline of the San Joaquin River and the river itself a bit farther away. The view on runners’ right side was always of the park, variously, lots of trees, a large pond, lots of grassy areas (I noticed a Frisbee Golf area at one point), and an area for BMX-style biking.
Streets are streets (profound, huh!). The highway was hidden by an earthen berm, so runners only heard the cars as they went by. The park was really pretty, of course. Scenically, the highlight for me was the overlook along the north side of the park toward the San Joaquin River, which was really nice!
I would estimate that the course was about 55% paved, with the rest being a mix of packed dirt park access road, and double and single track trail. There was one 20-30 yard section of loose fine sand. I would guess that the course had about 30%-40% shade. The course was definitely not flat or even flat-ish. It had some gentle rolling, but there were two or three 20-40 foot hills, one of which was a bit steep (just after miles 2 and 5). Nothing super challenging, but folks accustomed to flat courses should be prepared for a few hills.
Organization & Production: The 2018 KAMB Family Fun Run was fairly small (under 50 5K and 10K finishers), its second running. Race information was mostly a webpage provided by the online registration site, and could have been improved. The times given for each race were the time for which the event had reserved the picnic area in the park. When I registered, there wasn’t a course map on the webpage (it did get added later). HOWEVER, neither of these issues would have affected a runner’s ability to register and get to the race on time for bib pick-up. Picking up the bib and T-shirt was easy and quick. The course was well marked, with course marshals at two points where runners crossed access roads. There was a water-only aid station at about mile 2. Volunteers were all friendly and encouraging.
Race timing was done by an electronic stopwatch or suitable app on the timer’s cell phone rather than by chip and sensor. Without asking the organizer people, I would guess that’s what was economically appropriate for the size and purpose of this race. Unfortunately for a few slow people (like me) the timing was stopped at the 1:30 mark; my time would have been around 1:45 (more on this below).
Swag & Goodies: The swag bag given out at check-in was nice, more that I anticipated. It had a KAMB logo water bottle, which I am using, because it has greater capacity and looks nicer than the employer’s logo water bottle I’ve been using for a couple of years. It also had a set of earbuds with a little carrying pouch and a KAMB pencil (I don’t know if we have a pencil sharpener). Not earth-shattering, but definitely nice.
The recovery area was a partly shaded picnic area about 20 yards from the start/finish. In addition to tables at which runners could sit there were bananas, protein bars, and ice-chilled or ambient temperature water. This was more than I anticipated from such a small race.
Bib: The bib was plain white, with the red bib number in the middle.
T-Shirt: The cotton race T-shirt is red, with the race logo in front, and sponsors’ logos on the back. The race logo is the race name in black block letters, with a runner silhouette cut out of the letter “A” of “KAMB”. Between the station call letters and the rest of the race name is a light blue flourish. It’s a pretty nice race Tee, even compared to those of races several times larger. There were no finisher’s medals, unsurprising for a race this size.
My Results & Opinion of the Race: My finish time of ~1:45 is not remotely close to fast, but it was the best I’ve done since a turkey trot in 2016. So I was pretty happy with that and disappointed not to have a more precise “official” time.
I had a couple of email exchanges with the organizing people at KAMB, one before, and one after the race. They were always courteous (as I also tried to be). In the latter exchange I gave my impressions of the race (mostly good) and expressed my disappointment that timing was discontinued before I finished. I’ve heard a few stories about race directors from somewhere close to infernal regions, but KAMB’s were the opposite of that. They were apologetic and appreciative of the several suggestions I included in my email.
Would I do the KAMB Family Fun Run again? I probably won’t, but NOT because of my race experience. Fresno is about 150 miles from my home. I did the race because I was in Fresno for other reasons, and while planning I looked for races that weekend. KAMB’s race was on the right day for my family’s schedule. Unless there were to be a similar coincidence of schedules, I probably won’t do KAMB’s race again.
Making the question above hypothetical, “If I lived a lot closer, would I …?” I probably would. Overall my race experience was very good. The park scenery was pleasant. The people – volunteers and runners – were very pleasant. The organizing people intend to improve what they do. Frankly, at $30 for the 10K and $25 for the 5K, I think the KAMB Family Fun Run may be $5-$10 under-priced, though I’m familiar with SF Bay Area registration fees, not what may be common in the Fresno area.
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Nice Basic Race – Well Done, Nice Park
Event & Course Description: The KAMB Family Fun Run (FFR) is a charity race to support a radio station that plays Contemporary Christian Music. In 2018 it was run in … MORE
Event & Course Description: The KAMB Family Fun Run (FFR) is a charity race to support a radio station that plays Contemporary Christian Music. In 2018 it was run in Woodward Park in Fresno, CA. There were 5K and 10K distances, plus a 1 mile walk. The 5K course was sort of a rectangular loop around the perimeter of the park, with a short tail at the start and finish. 10K runners did the loop twice.
For about half the course runners had major streets on their left, for about a quarter there was a freeway or four lane highway on the left, and then for the remaining quarter – the northern side of the park – runners had a view of what looked like a flood bypass (very green in April), with the treeline of the San Joaquin River and the river itself a bit farther away. The view on runners’ right side was always of the park, variously, lots of trees, a large pond, lots of grassy areas (I noticed a Frisbee Golf area at one point), and an area for BMX-style biking.
Streets are streets (profound, huh!). The highway was hidden by an earthen berm, so runners only heard the cars as they went by. The park was really pretty, of course. Scenically, the highlight for me was the overlook along the north side of the park toward the San Joaquin River, which was really nice!
I would estimate that the course was about 55% paved, with the rest being a mix of packed dirt park access road, and double and single track trail. There was one 20-30 yard section of loose fine sand. I would guess that the course had about 30%-40% shade. The course was definitely not flat or even flat-ish. It had some gentle rolling, but there were two or three 20-40 foot hills, one of which was a bit steep (just after miles 2 and 5). Nothing super challenging, but folks accustomed to flat courses should be prepared for a few hills.
Organization & Production: The 2018 KAMB Family Fun Run was fairly small (under 50 5K and 10K finishers), its second running. Race information was mostly a webpage provided by the online registration site, and could have been improved. The times given for each race were the time for which the event had reserved the picnic area in the park. When I registered, there wasn’t a course map on the webpage (it did get added later). HOWEVER, neither of these issues would have affected a runner’s ability to register and get to the race on time for bib pick-up. Picking up the bib and T-shirt was easy and quick. The course was well marked, with course marshals at two points where runners crossed access roads. There was a water-only aid station at about mile 2. Volunteers were all friendly and encouraging.
Race timing was done by an electronic stopwatch or suitable app on the timer’s cell phone rather than by chip and sensor. Without asking the organizer people, I would guess that’s what was economically appropriate for the size and purpose of this race. Unfortunately for a few slow people (like me) the timing was stopped at the 1:30 mark; my time would have been around 1:45 (more on this below).
Swag & Goodies: The swag bag given out at check-in was nice, more that I anticipated. It had a KAMB logo water bottle, which I am using, because it has greater capacity and looks nicer than the employer’s logo water bottle I’ve been using for a couple of years. It also had a set of earbuds with a little carrying pouch and a KAMB pencil (I don’t know if we have a pencil sharpener). Not earth-shattering, but definitely nice.
The recovery area was a partly shaded picnic area about 20 yards from the start/finish. In addition to tables at which runners could sit there were bananas, protein bars, and ice-chilled or ambient temperature water. This was more than I anticipated from such a small race.
Bib: The bib was plain white, with the red bib number in the middle.
T-Shirt: The cotton race T-shirt is red, with the race logo in front, and sponsors’ logos on the back. The race logo is the race name in black block letters, with a runner silhouette cut out of the letter “A” of “KAMB”. Between the station call letters and the rest of the race name is a light blue flourish. It’s a pretty nice race Tee, even compared to those of races several times larger. There were no finisher’s medals, unsurprising for a race this size.
My Results & Opinion of the Race: My finish time of ~1:45 is not remotely close to fast, but it was the best I’ve done since a turkey trot in 2016. So I was pretty happy with that and disappointed not to have a more precise “official” time.
I had a couple of email exchanges with the organizing people at KAMB, one before, and one after the race. They were always courteous (as I also tried to be). In the latter exchange I gave my impressions of the race (mostly good) and expressed my disappointment that timing was discontinued before I finished. I’ve heard a few stories about race directors from somewhere close to infernal regions, but KAMB’s were the opposite of that. They were apologetic and appreciative of the several suggestions I included in my email.
Would I do the KAMB Family Fun Run again? I probably won’t, but NOT because of my race experience. Fresno is about 150 miles from my home. I did the race because I was in Fresno for other reasons, and while planning I looked for races that weekend. KAMB’s race was on the right day for my family’s schedule. Unless there were to be a similar coincidence of schedules, I probably won’t do KAMB’s race again.
Making the question above hypothetical, “If I lived a lot closer, would I …?” I probably would. Overall my race experience was very good. The park scenery was pleasant. The people – volunteers and runners – were very pleasant. The organizing people intend to improve what they do. Frankly, at $30 for the 10K and $25 for the 5K, I think the KAMB Family Fun Run may be $5-$10 under-priced, though I’m familiar with SF Bay Area registration fees, not what may be common in the Fresno area.