Event & Course Description: The Radical 80s Run takes place on the Coyote Creek Trail in South San Jose, starting and finishing in Hellyer Park. Two distances are run, 10K … MORE
Event & Course Description: The Radical 80s Run takes place on the Coyote Creek Trail in South San Jose, starting and finishing in Hellyer Park. Two distances are run, 10K and 5K; I did the latter. As the name of the trail suggests, it follows Coyote Creek. Both distances are out-and-back, take the trail southward, with different turn-around points. The Coyote Creek Trail, despite being in San Jose and near a freeway, feels fairly rural, with pleasant views of the creek and nearby hills (brown, not green, in August). I’ve done a good number of races along this trail and it is very pleasant.
The weather in 2018 was sunny, but not too warm. The trail is paved, with about 40% shade. It’s fairly flat, with some short rolling hills. Between the two distances there were 241 race finishers. There were a good number of children who did the race, so it is family friendly
Organization & Production: As a whole, the production was satisfactory, with some shortcomings that would not affect getting to, running, and finishing the race. The website has the information needed to register and get there, but there are some useful details commonly included in other races’ websites that are not present.
The first is that there is no course map or elevation profile. Other than wishing I knew which way the course ran, this didn’t affect me, since I’m familiar with that trail. But for someone not familiar this omission could be significant. The other omission was the time the park opened. The website does link to the park website, for those wanting further information, but since I already knew how to get to the start area, I didn’t go to that website. Well … my “secret” to getting a good parking spot is showing up early. Because the park opening time I didn’t know about was just an hour before the race start time, I showed up 45 minutes too early, and sat with my hazard lights blinking on a somewhat narrow section of road (with a dozen or more other early birds). Also, the park entry fee given on the website is incorrect (probably what it was when the race was first run 2 years ago).
The start/finish area was an open space of lawn, not near any picnic area. The trail markings were adequate. The 5K turn-around was a few feet past the first aid station and marked with a sign. The aid station was water-only and had 3 or 4 friendly volunteers. On the return leg there were course marshals to make sure runners took the turn back into the park. This was probably the one place course marshals would have been valuable, and they were there.
Bib & T-Shirt: The bib and T-shirt vary in some minor details, but share a common design. The cotton T-shirt and background color of the bib are black. At the center of the design is a brick wall. Above it in an 80ish font I can’t describe is “SJ”. Across the center, in letters intended to look like graffiti, is “Rad 80s”, and below that in simple block letters, the two distances. At the bottom of the wall is a black and white running shoe. On the T-shirt, below the wall, is the race website url. This is all on the front of the T-shirt; the back is blank. The Radical 80s Run organizer has different custom-designed race swag every year, but there is no date on the 2018 T-shirt, bib, or finisher’s medal.
Finisher’s Medal: The finisher’s medal is a bottle opener, with the same design described above. The ribbon is plain black (if you use the medallion as a bottle opener, you’d have to cut off the ribbon, so a plain solid color makes sense).
Finish & Recovery Area: The finish area had two people handing out medals when I finished, and bottles of water in a tub of ice nearby. The recovery food was pretty good for a race this size – cut up bananas, croissants, several varieties of muffins (cut in half), several varieties of cookies, and packets of fruit puree or yogurt and fruit.
There were no age group awards (I was first – and last – in my age group, boo-hoo!). But there was a raffle with prizes supplied by sponsors, ranging from a blue tooth turntable to bottles of beer (minors had to have a parent receive the beer).
My Results & Opinion of the Race: I was hoping for a little better, but I worked to get my finish time and am happy with it. I did better at 5Ks in March and November, but those were in cool weather and flat, which this race was not (it was cool for August, but was 5-10 degrees warmer than those races).
I gave this race a 3-Shoe rating. It’s at the high end of that range in my mind, and were it in a different part of the country I might have given it 4. There are several really good race organizers in the SF Bay area, and this race was not really in their league. With more complete and corrected information on their website and race dates on their swag this would be a 4-shoe race for me. I do not think these improvements would be difficult to do.
So … would I do this race again? It would not be on my must-do list, but it’s close to my home and good enough that I will definitely consider it next year.
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More Creek & Trees than 80s, but Good
Event & Course Description: The Radical 80s Run takes place on the Coyote Creek Trail in South San Jose, starting and finishing in Hellyer Park. Two distances are run, 10K … MORE
Event & Course Description: The Radical 80s Run takes place on the Coyote Creek Trail in South San Jose, starting and finishing in Hellyer Park. Two distances are run, 10K and 5K; I did the latter. As the name of the trail suggests, it follows Coyote Creek. Both distances are out-and-back, take the trail southward, with different turn-around points. The Coyote Creek Trail, despite being in San Jose and near a freeway, feels fairly rural, with pleasant views of the creek and nearby hills (brown, not green, in August). I’ve done a good number of races along this trail and it is very pleasant.
The weather in 2018 was sunny, but not too warm. The trail is paved, with about 40% shade. It’s fairly flat, with some short rolling hills. Between the two distances there were 241 race finishers. There were a good number of children who did the race, so it is family friendly
Organization & Production: As a whole, the production was satisfactory, with some shortcomings that would not affect getting to, running, and finishing the race. The website has the information needed to register and get there, but there are some useful details commonly included in other races’ websites that are not present.
The first is that there is no course map or elevation profile. Other than wishing I knew which way the course ran, this didn’t affect me, since I’m familiar with that trail. But for someone not familiar this omission could be significant. The other omission was the time the park opened. The website does link to the park website, for those wanting further information, but since I already knew how to get to the start area, I didn’t go to that website. Well … my “secret” to getting a good parking spot is showing up early. Because the park opening time I didn’t know about was just an hour before the race start time, I showed up 45 minutes too early, and sat with my hazard lights blinking on a somewhat narrow section of road (with a dozen or more other early birds). Also, the park entry fee given on the website is incorrect (probably what it was when the race was first run 2 years ago).
The start/finish area was an open space of lawn, not near any picnic area. The trail markings were adequate. The 5K turn-around was a few feet past the first aid station and marked with a sign. The aid station was water-only and had 3 or 4 friendly volunteers. On the return leg there were course marshals to make sure runners took the turn back into the park. This was probably the one place course marshals would have been valuable, and they were there.
Bib & T-Shirt: The bib and T-shirt vary in some minor details, but share a common design. The cotton T-shirt and background color of the bib are black. At the center of the design is a brick wall. Above it in an 80ish font I can’t describe is “SJ”. Across the center, in letters intended to look like graffiti, is “Rad 80s”, and below that in simple block letters, the two distances. At the bottom of the wall is a black and white running shoe. On the T-shirt, below the wall, is the race website url. This is all on the front of the T-shirt; the back is blank. The Radical 80s Run organizer has different custom-designed race swag every year, but there is no date on the 2018 T-shirt, bib, or finisher’s medal.
Finisher’s Medal: The finisher’s medal is a bottle opener, with the same design described above. The ribbon is plain black (if you use the medallion as a bottle opener, you’d have to cut off the ribbon, so a plain solid color makes sense).
Finish & Recovery Area: The finish area had two people handing out medals when I finished, and bottles of water in a tub of ice nearby. The recovery food was pretty good for a race this size – cut up bananas, croissants, several varieties of muffins (cut in half), several varieties of cookies, and packets of fruit puree or yogurt and fruit.
There were no age group awards (I was first – and last – in my age group, boo-hoo!). But there was a raffle with prizes supplied by sponsors, ranging from a blue tooth turntable to bottles of beer (minors had to have a parent receive the beer).
My Results & Opinion of the Race: I was hoping for a little better, but I worked to get my finish time and am happy with it. I did better at 5Ks in March and November, but those were in cool weather and flat, which this race was not (it was cool for August, but was 5-10 degrees warmer than those races).
I gave this race a 3-Shoe rating. It’s at the high end of that range in my mind, and were it in a different part of the country I might have given it 4. There are several really good race organizers in the SF Bay area, and this race was not really in their league. With more complete and corrected information on their website and race dates on their swag this would be a 4-shoe race for me. I do not think these improvements would be difficult to do.
So … would I do this race again? It would not be on my must-do list, but it’s close to my home and good enough that I will definitely consider it next year.
It was their first time
This was the first time that they put on this race so i understand some bumps in the road. The race was an out and back on a park course. … MORE
This was the first time that they put on this race so i understand some bumps in the road. The race was an out and back on a park course. It seamed like a little community race compared to the the larger races. They had a 10k option and a 5K option. they originally were going to start each race at different times but when it was about to start they gave the option to all start at the same time. this was because when you signed up your chip would be assign to the race you were doing. for the 5K there was 1 water station at the turn around point. they encouraged everyone to come in some 80’s great. they also were playing 80’s music. with the race they included the shirt (cotton), medal, and a Koozie. dogs and strollers are welcome. This race is good for walkers. they had a snow cone truck there and a photo booth. This ace is good for people that want a theme race.