The Orange Curtain 100 km race is a 10 kilometer out and back (repeated 10 times) along a 5 kilometer segment of the asphalt and dirt bike path on the east side of the San Gabriel River in Cerritos, Lakewood, and Long Beach, California. The race course starts just south …
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The Orange Curtain 100 km race is a 10 kilometer out and back (repeated 10 times) along a 5 kilometer segment of the asphalt and dirt bike path on the east side of the San Gabriel River in Cerritos, Lakewood, and Long Beach, California. The race course starts just south of South Street in Cerritos and travels south 5 km to a point midway between Wardlow and Spring streets.
Most (90%) of the bike path has a dirt path alongside. The 10% lacking the dirt path is mainly the 3 underpasses at Del Amo, Carson, and Wardlow. So for most of the course, you have a choice of running on pavement (predominately asphalt) or dirt.
The single aid station is located between Del Amo and Carson at the approximate middle of the 5 kilometer segment. This allows the runner to pass the aid station every 5 kilometers. In addition, runners may leave a drop bag at the northern end of the race course. If we happen to have hot weather, additional water will be made available along the course.
The adjoining San Gabriel River channel is artificially channeled. You may run into a cloud of gnats here and there. Sunglasses will help keep these out of your eyes. There are some stables just south of the aid station so you will see some horses. I have seen a horse on the course but that is rare. It is more common to see ducks and egrets along the course.
Much of the race course is bordered on the east side by Liberty Park (in Cerritos), Rynerson Park (in Lakewood) or El Dorado Park (in Long Beach). One section of the course is bordered by the parking lot at the Long Beach Towne Center shopping mall.
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Fun small production race
The course was a 6.2 loop (3.1 out and back) along the San Gabriel River bike path. Nice and easy course with minimal hills. I ran it 5x for the … MORE
The course was a 6.2 loop (3.1 out and back) along the San Gabriel River bike path. Nice and easy course with minimal hills. I ran it 5x for the 50k.
I was allowed to early start the day before and ran it over night, which was great. Felt safe in the dark. The aid station was well stocked and everyone was friendly and supportive.
The medal was small and basic but adequate and the finisher shirt was a basic tank. Good race with good people.
Orange You Glad You Crushed It?
The old saying line them up and knock them down may be the best way to describe this runners row paradise. If you're looking for an excellent race put on … MORE
The old saying line them up and knock them down may be the best way to describe this runners row paradise. If you’re looking for an excellent race put on by excellent runners in an excellent urban area, look no more. From start to turnaround, this 5K back and forth course will keep you focused and knocking out the miles.
While it’s on a bike path nestled between a park and a man made Bayou (yes, I live in Houston), you’ll get the blessing of trees during sunrise and the cursing of concrete jungles during sunset — high noon offers no protection at all. There are bathrooms across the field at the start, none at the turnaround but a park restroom nestled between two huge shade tree-lined areas with a breeze that’ll make you want to camp out.
End camping out is what you might want to do if you’re doing the 24 hour run. But don’t pitch your tent just before the turnaround where the aid station is located. They might as well call this place T-HOP (Trail House of Pancakes) because they cook 3 full meals. If I only had known, I wouldn’t have arrived after breakfast and left before dinner.
California has a ton of races. California had a ton of races canceled. This race was no exception, as it had been canceled twice due to the pandemic. However, after seeing a post in a group on face book that it was on and popping for a third time and was taking place, I jumped on a plan, jumped out a lyft, ran, jumped back in a Lyft and back on a plan all within 12 hours to get California on the map.
You don’t have to do what I did, but I recommended you ran where I ran if you want a good place to run with a great race of runners on a course that’s full of local company.