After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel LaceUp Orange County 2022. Thank you to all of our runners for your patience and for sticking with us during this difficult time. LaceUp would not be what it is today without our great runners. We strive to bring …
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After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel LaceUp Orange County 2022.
Thank you to all of our runners for your patience and for sticking with us during this difficult time. LaceUp would not be what it is today without our great runners. We strive to bring you fun and safe races each year. We hope to see everyone happy and healthy in the future.
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The LaceUp Running Series once again kicks off the season in beautiful Orange County, CA. The Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K, and Kids Run will take place at Irvine’s Mike Ward Community Park on a fast and flat running path that winds through the vast open space under massive, shaded trees.
LaceUp is thrilled to announce the return of the Orange County Half Marathon! The Half Marathon is a fast, flat 13.1 miles. With just 220 feet of elevation gain, this course is ready for a PR. Tour some of Irvine’s biggest neighborhoods, starting in Woodbridge and heading to Huntley and Walnut. Run past Irvine Valley College and through Orangetree before finishing back in Woodbridge. The Half Marathon course is a loop, starting and finishing at Mike Ward Community Park, a neighborhood park in the heart of Irvine. The course runs on a mix of running paths and roads. Aid stations stocked with Nuun Electrolytes and Honey Stinger product.
Back for 2020, teams will also have access to the ultimate runner VIP experience as they race to complete 26.2 miles. After setting a new personal record, kick back and relax with a complimentary craft beer and food truck brunch in a lively event hub. This race is great for the family too, with a Kids Run and children’s activities on the schedule. LaceUp Orange County is a community-oriented race with a big-race feel. You and your team will feel right at home.
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LaceUp Challenge Medal
This is the first of four races that LaceUp offers. If you complete any distance at all four locations you can earn an extra challenge medal at the end of … MORE
This is the first of four races that LaceUp offers. If you complete any distance at all four locations you can earn an extra challenge medal at the end of the series. For 2019 you were allowed to pick up your bib race day for $5. You can also prepay this on their site, which was helpful. Super flat course. Not a lot of shade coverage. Lots of great swag and food at the finish line.
A Excellent Race
The aid stations were awesome. The volunteers were helpful. The course was excellent. The race is recommended to others. The race could be improved with more water stops. MORE
The aid stations were awesome. The volunteers were helpful. The course was excellent. The race is recommended to others. The race could be improved with more water stops.
LaceUp and Run!
After 3 years of missing in action, I was thrilled that the Lexus LaceUp Running Series brought back the half marathon distance to their Orange County event. The 2018 Orange … MORE
After 3 years of missing in action, I was thrilled that the Lexus LaceUp Running Series brought back the half marathon distance to their Orange County event. The 2018 Orange County race options included a 5k, half marathon, marathon relay and kids run. Packet pickup was available Friday at Mike Ward Community Park from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm. If you registered by August 9th, free race morning packet pick-up was included in your registration. New to 2018 – if you registered after August 9th, you were given the option to purchase race morning packet pickup for an additional $5.
On race morning, parking was free at Mike Ward Community Park with overflow parking available at Saint Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church. Like previous years, I arrived early to avoid parking congestion and porta potty lines. Packet pickup started at 5:30 am. The half marathon started at 6:30 am, the marathon relay started at 6:45 am, the 5k started at 7:00 am and the kids run started at 9:00 am. Much to my surprise, the National Anthem was not played …or perhaps I simply did not hear it?
The half marathon course consisted of both bike paths and roads through Irvine. Although Orange County is the least scenic of the LaceUp races, it is a very “PR friendly” course as it is primarily flat with minimal short gentle inclines and declines. The course was well marked and the volunteers at the aid stations were very enthusiastic. There was plenty to do at the finish line festival with lots of vendors and games. I always plan on hanging out and socializing after LaceUp Running Series races. Lexus had a vehicle on display, hosted a cellphone charging station and offered complimentary massages. Each participant received one complementary food item from one of the two food trucks and one Sierra Nevada beer from the beer garden. Like other years, they ran out of commemorative water bottles before all participants received one.
To celebrate the 5 year anniversary of the series, runners who have participated in ANY previous year LaceUp Series event received a “LaceUp Legacy” race bib. Runners who have participated in ANY LaceUp Series event each of the 5 years of the series earned a commemorative “5 Year” medal charm. Any runner who participates in all four of the 2018 LaceUp events (any distance) will receive the LaceUp Challenge Medal upon completion of the series (it spins!). Runners who participated in the Foothill 5k Challenge in April can earn the Best Foot Forward Challenge Medal by running any LaceUp race. The series has also been added to the California Half & Full Marathon Series, which allows additional opportunities for half marathon runners to earn a challenge medal.
Anyone wishing to run 2018 LaceUp Ventura (October 21st), Palos Verdes (November 17th) or Riverside (December 2nd), use code LACEUPSARAH for 10% off.
Training run with a medal at the end
This was my first Lexus Laceup run. I chose this race due to convenient location and the reviews of other Lexus Laceup runs. Overall, it was just a meh experience. … MORE
This was my first Lexus Laceup run. I chose this race due to convenient location and the reviews of other Lexus Laceup runs. Overall, it was just a meh experience. It met my expectations for convenience, but was otherwise a disappointing experience.
On the positive side:
1. Near my home so short morning commute
2. Ample parking
3. Very generous Porta Potty situation
4. Regular aide stations on the course with great volunteers
5. Cool, cloudy weather
The Negatives:
1. Lack of community support/ involvement (I have never been on such a quiet race course. With the exception of the aide station volunteers, traffic cops, and two women with a sign at mile 4, there were zero supporters/ cheerers on the entire route)
2. The finish line was not well managed (As I crossed the finish, I had to push spectators and other finishers out of my way just to cross the finish mat. The people handing out the medals just stood still with medals dangling from their arms. I walked by them the first time before I realized that they had my medal. When I asked “Is that for the half marathon finishers?”, I received a stare in return.)
3. Inadequate Food. (There were only 2 food trucks for all racers to redeem their free food. One of those trucks had smoothies. For those of us waiting for something more substantial, we had to stand in a long line in the sun before finding out that that the truck had run out of many of the food options. If free food is a perk of the race, then the organizers need more trucks.)
Flat and Fast
This is the first of a 4 race series put on by LaceUp. This was the first year for them to have a half marathon at the OC location. If … MORE
This is the first of a 4 race series put on by LaceUp. This was the first year for them to have a half marathon at the OC location. If you register early enough they offer race day pick up at no charge. If you register after their cut off date it’s a $5 fee. Parking is limited, so best to get there very early if you don’t want to walk a few block to the start. Generous time limits for all races. Very family friendly event. Food truck food and beer are included with all registrations for the half. I will be back in 2019 for sure!
Hills!
Smaller race then I expected it to be, but overall I enjoyed the race I’d def prefer a more active cheering squad but the swag was on point and the … MORE
Smaller race then I expected it to be, but overall I enjoyed the race I’d def prefer a more active cheering squad but the swag was on point and the free food and beer! Count me in!!! The race was def a little tougher then most with the up and down In The water banks but it was conquered!
Really nice race environment
Really nicely produced race. Many activities for the whole family. Course was well maintained. Only 1 aid station generically stocked with water, electrolytes and gels. I really enjoyed the location, … MORE
Really nicely produced race. Many activities for the whole family. Course was well maintained. Only 1 aid station generically stocked with water, electrolytes and gels. I really enjoyed the location, food trucks and parallel activities. I’ll do this race again..
Well organized event
My 1st time running this event and I have a good time. We ran the team relay, my 2nd marathon relay ever. The event is more focused on the 10k … MORE
My 1st time running this event and I have a good time. We ran the team relay, my 2nd marathon relay ever. The event is more focused on the 10k and 5k than the relay. Course is mostly on bike path and flat with exception of a few dips and climbs from under passes. Course is sparsely shaded and temps can get into the 80s on later legs. Course scenery is parks, Creek, and commercial properties, and feels fairly secluded at times. Pre and post race is top noch. A fun, well organized and well supported event.
Well produced event
The course is typical for Irvine--seems all the races there go along the bike path that runs along the scenic drainage ditch. 10K goes out-and-back so you get to see … MORE
The course is typical for Irvine–seems all the races there go along the bike path that runs along the scenic drainage ditch. 10K goes out-and-back so you get to see the flood channel from both directions! There is a marathon relay that shares the course with the 10K so you get to see some of the runners in that event as you run out and back. Best part is the race support and the post-race food trucks that are included in the race entry. This is the least popular of the LaceUp series–the Palos Verdes and Riverside events draw three times as many.
Community race, Well Organized!
My friends Amber, Agatha, Ashley, my boy friend Matt and I did the Lexus Laceup Marathon Relay in Irvine back in September. It was one of the well organized races, … MORE
My friends Amber, Agatha, Ashley, my boy friend Matt and I did the Lexus Laceup Marathon Relay in Irvine back in September. It was one of the well organized races, I have been to. Lexus Laceup races attract close to 600 to 700 people. If you are tired of big city races with thousands of people, this is a good break! As much as I enjoy races like Long Beach Half Marathon with thousands of fellow runners, once in a while its nice to run a race that is not that crowded.
At the Irvine race, the medals were beautiful. There were photo booths ( I still have my printed photo from the event!). Gourmet Food trucks, served up nice delicious brunch, as the race entry includes free food. To top it all off, there was a beer garden, with Sierra Nevada beers. Even big races like America’s Finest City aren’t offering beer, so I can always appreciate an opportunite to re-carb after a run! They were giving out these beautiful Lexus Water Bottles at the event, which are still my favorite! The race itself, was a nice out and back course, on a trail. Being a small race, means, most everyone had a chance at their age division awards
Lexus Laceup Running series is 4 parts. Irvine was their first one. Ventura, Palos Verdes(their most sought after race, that attracts 1000 people and sells out fast!), and riverside are the next 3 stops. You get a challenge medal at the end of the seiries which is one of the biggest race medal I have so far!
I really like running LExus Laceup Races!
Lexus LaceUp Irvine is fantastic!
This race was great! So well organized! Easy parking, great park location, lots of signs to find bib pick up, shirts, gear check in, results, vendors, beer garden, lots of … MORE
This race was great! So well organized! Easy parking, great park location, lots of signs to find bib pick up, shirts, gear check in, results, vendors, beer garden, lots of porta potties, etc. The course was mostly flat on a paved bike trail – I PR’d my 10k! The volunteers were all so kind and seemed happy to be there. Post race activities were enjoyable as well. Looking forward to running again next year.
Fun local run
Quite a bit more crowded than last years event and I was surprised that there was no half this year. The course was located along the riverbed in Irvine which … MORE
Quite a bit more crowded than last years event and I was surprised that there was no half this year. The course was located along the riverbed in Irvine which isn’t too exciting and can be a bit challenging with all the ups and downs of the riverbed bridges. Overall though, the production of the event made it fun to celebrate before and after.
Not Crowded, Great Swag, & Food Trucks
Fell in love with the Lexus series! The course was challenging in terms of the continual hills but the distance between runners was quite spacious.. and did i mention the … MORE
Fell in love with the Lexus series! The course was challenging in terms of the continual hills but the distance between runners was quite spacious.. and did i mention the swag?! <3
First time event needs improvement
this is a half marathon that follows the usual Irvine course that other half marathons do--mostly on the pedestrian path along a flood channel. not a great deal of on … MORE
this is a half marathon that follows the usual Irvine course that other half marathons do–mostly on the pedestrian path along a flood channel. not a great deal of on course support and that needs to be improved on if they continue this series, this is a promotional event for Lexus put on by a marketing company so it may not be back next year.