2019 brought some very major changes to Run to Remember. The first significant change -- the race had an all new course. The new starting line was at Westfield Century … MORE
2019 brought some very major changes to Run to Remember.
The first significant change — the race had an all new course. The new starting line was at Westfield Century City Mall, rather than The Grove. The new course took runners through Beverly Hills (including Rodeo Dr.) and into Fox Studios, rather than Paramount Studios.
This year, participants were promised free parking at the new venue. To get the free parking, participants were instructed to download the Westfield app and register their vehicle prior to race date. While registering my vehicle, I was required to provide credit card information for payment, which made me uncomfortable since the parking was supposed to be free.
The second significant change — the race no longer had an expo for participants to pick up their packets the day before the race. Race morning packet pick-up was the only option available. Packet pick-up started at 5:00 am. The Half Marathon started at 6:25 am. The 5K started at 7:30 am. The 10K started at 8:15 am. Bib numbers were not pre-assigned.
Fearing all these changes were a recipe for a chaotic morning, I arrived to the parking lot by 4:45 am. As promised, a camera recognized my license plate and the parking gate automatically lifted when my vehicle approached.
Once I was parked, I was a little confused as to where to go to pick-up my bib. As I had gotten there so early, there weren’t a lot of people yet. After a bit of wandering, I exited the parking structure onto Avenue of the Stars and located packet pick-up. There were no lines yet, so I was able to walk right up and have a bib number assigned to me in less than a minute. Participant shirts were black, cotton and unisex.
I then went to pick up my Legacy gift. This year Legacy Runners were to receive a Legacy bib (generic, no number) and a Legacy t-shirt. The front of t-shirt was identical to the participant shirt. The back featured an image of the Legacy bib. I pinned my bib with my number to the front of my shirt and the Legacy bib to my back. I then gear checked my two shirts. Three of my friends who are Legacy Runners were unable to pick-up their Legacy items as their names were not on the list.
I only saw about 10 porta potties, but did not have to wait in line to use one as lines had not yet formed.
The half marathon started promptly at 6:25 am. There was a special moment of silence for the CHP Sgt. Steve Licon, who had been struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver the day before. I noticed there was no missing man formation flyover before the start of the half marathon. This is something I have come to look forward to at this race, and was disappointed it didn’t happen.
Overall, I enjoyed the new course. It was nice running through Beverly Hills and on Rodeo Dr., even though I had run through this area during the LA Marathon only two weeks prior. When I was around mile 5.3, I saw 4 helicopters fly by for the missing man formation. Based on the time, I’m guessing this was done for the start of the 5K. I did not see any additional police helicopter flyovers. During previous years, a helicopter flew over at multiple times during the race while activating the siren.
There were approximately 10 aid stations providing water and Gatorade. I do not remember seeing any gels or other fuel. The volunteers were friendly and enthusiastic.
The run through Fox Studios was much shorter than the run through Paramount Studios and was at the end of the race. The course was slightly short. Per my Garmin, the race was 12.99 miles. All of my friends had very similar readings from their GPS devices.
Upon crossing the finish line, participants received water, bananas and BodyArmor Sports Drink. Upon exiting the finishers chute, participants could visit vendor booths to receive additional snacks including RX bars.
The medal featured a police & fire style badge with a compartment to place a challenge coin (see my attached photo). For the challenge coins, participants could pick between Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, County of Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Fire Department and EMTs. New this year — there was a metal bar with a military branch slid onto the ribbon to rest above the medal. The military branches were already attached to the medal ribbons and thus given out at random.
There were a handful of race photographers, but like last year, participants were not sent their individual photos for purchase. 92 select photos were placed on the race website.
It took about 10 – 15 minutes to wait in the line of cars to get out of the parking lot. Upon reaching the parking gate, I noticed the gates were raised to allow free flow of traffic out of the garage. I’m not sure if this was done because people had difficulty taking advantage of the free parking through the app.
I liked some of the changes to this year, but felt other things needed improvement. I hope next year they bring back the expo the day before. Regardless, I am a big supporter of this race and look forward to continuing my Legacy status for years to come.
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A Tribute To Fallen First Responders
2019 brought some very major changes to Run to Remember. The first significant change -- the race had an all new course. The new starting line was at Westfield Century … MORE
2019 brought some very major changes to Run to Remember.
The first significant change — the race had an all new course. The new starting line was at Westfield Century City Mall, rather than The Grove. The new course took runners through Beverly Hills (including Rodeo Dr.) and into Fox Studios, rather than Paramount Studios.
This year, participants were promised free parking at the new venue. To get the free parking, participants were instructed to download the Westfield app and register their vehicle prior to race date. While registering my vehicle, I was required to provide credit card information for payment, which made me uncomfortable since the parking was supposed to be free.
The second significant change — the race no longer had an expo for participants to pick up their packets the day before the race. Race morning packet pick-up was the only option available. Packet pick-up started at 5:00 am. The Half Marathon started at 6:25 am. The 5K started at 7:30 am. The 10K started at 8:15 am. Bib numbers were not pre-assigned.
Fearing all these changes were a recipe for a chaotic morning, I arrived to the parking lot by 4:45 am. As promised, a camera recognized my license plate and the parking gate automatically lifted when my vehicle approached.
Once I was parked, I was a little confused as to where to go to pick-up my bib. As I had gotten there so early, there weren’t a lot of people yet. After a bit of wandering, I exited the parking structure onto Avenue of the Stars and located packet pick-up. There were no lines yet, so I was able to walk right up and have a bib number assigned to me in less than a minute. Participant shirts were black, cotton and unisex.
I then went to pick up my Legacy gift. This year Legacy Runners were to receive a Legacy bib (generic, no number) and a Legacy t-shirt. The front of t-shirt was identical to the participant shirt. The back featured an image of the Legacy bib. I pinned my bib with my number to the front of my shirt and the Legacy bib to my back. I then gear checked my two shirts. Three of my friends who are Legacy Runners were unable to pick-up their Legacy items as their names were not on the list.
I only saw about 10 porta potties, but did not have to wait in line to use one as lines had not yet formed.
The half marathon started promptly at 6:25 am. There was a special moment of silence for the CHP Sgt. Steve Licon, who had been struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver the day before. I noticed there was no missing man formation flyover before the start of the half marathon. This is something I have come to look forward to at this race, and was disappointed it didn’t happen.
Overall, I enjoyed the new course. It was nice running through Beverly Hills and on Rodeo Dr., even though I had run through this area during the LA Marathon only two weeks prior. When I was around mile 5.3, I saw 4 helicopters fly by for the missing man formation. Based on the time, I’m guessing this was done for the start of the 5K. I did not see any additional police helicopter flyovers. During previous years, a helicopter flew over at multiple times during the race while activating the siren.
There were approximately 10 aid stations providing water and Gatorade. I do not remember seeing any gels or other fuel. The volunteers were friendly and enthusiastic.
The run through Fox Studios was much shorter than the run through Paramount Studios and was at the end of the race. The course was slightly short. Per my Garmin, the race was 12.99 miles. All of my friends had very similar readings from their GPS devices.
Upon crossing the finish line, participants received water, bananas and BodyArmor Sports Drink. Upon exiting the finishers chute, participants could visit vendor booths to receive additional snacks including RX bars.
The medal featured a police & fire style badge with a compartment to place a challenge coin (see my attached photo). For the challenge coins, participants could pick between Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, County of Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Fire Department and EMTs. New this year — there was a metal bar with a military branch slid onto the ribbon to rest above the medal. The military branches were already attached to the medal ribbons and thus given out at random.
There were a handful of race photographers, but like last year, participants were not sent their individual photos for purchase. 92 select photos were placed on the race website.
It took about 10 – 15 minutes to wait in the line of cars to get out of the parking lot. Upon reaching the parking gate, I noticed the gates were raised to allow free flow of traffic out of the garage. I’m not sure if this was done because people had difficulty taking advantage of the free parking through the app.
I liked some of the changes to this year, but felt other things needed improvement. I hope next year they bring back the expo the day before. Regardless, I am a big supporter of this race and look forward to continuing my Legacy status for years to come.
Well-Organized Race for a Great Cause
Organization: Easy packet pickup at a well-run and well-stocked expo. Race day was a breeze (assuming you bought parking ahead of time). Plenty of parking in The Grove parking garage, … MORE
Organization: Easy packet pickup at a well-run and well-stocked expo. Race day was a breeze (assuming you bought parking ahead of time). Plenty of parking in The Grove parking garage, which is right next to the start/finish line.
Course: Flat, wide streets. There’s about half a mile or so that winds through the Paramount Studios lot, if that’s your thing. They also had a bunch of historical police vehicles lined up, presumably ones that are used in films.
Course support: Non-existent in terms of spectators. The most course support was at the entrance to Paramount Studios, where there was a gauntlet of officers from various police and fire agencies cheering you on. The most motivation comes from the runner field, as there are numerous academy classes and various stations running in formation and singing cadences.
Medal: Nice elements integrating local flair and law enforcement themes (challenge coin and thin blue line), but the design is a bit busy and the ribbon rather plain. See “Photos” link to the right, under the map.
Shirt: 100% cotton, and not all that soft. The graphic gives no indication that it’s a race to honor first responders.
I’ll be back because of the cause and because it was VERY well-organized for a race of 3,000+ runners. This race also would be a good one with a PR in mind.
Great Race for a Great Cause
This was a really fund race. They allowed race morning bib pick up. The street closures start at 5:30am so plan ahead! I stayed for the last runner. It was … MORE
This was a really fund race. They allowed race morning bib pick up. The street closures start at 5:30am so plan ahead! I stayed for the last runner. It was nice to see how much extra food they had. The last runner had the same food selection as the first runners in. Plenty of course support. Mostly an out and back course. Lot of First Respondents and Officers in full uniform. Great race!
Great Cause - Scenery So-So
Great cause. I loved seeing the officers and cadets running in formation. Loved the fire truck with the flag over the street. The scenery wasn't anything to get excited about. … MORE
Great cause. I loved seeing the officers and cadets running in formation. Loved the fire truck with the flag over the street. The scenery wasn’t anything to get excited about. Parking was at The Grove and moved pretty quickly. By the time I finished the race they had started packing up some of the water/banana tables and I was no where near the last person to cross the finish. I was running to honor my two uncles and a friend and I made my own bib with their names on it, I wish there was a blank bib that I could have written in their names like they offer at the cancer support races. Overall, I had a good time. I would do this again next year.
Powerful show of Stregth in Numbers
The race was so well organized. Parking was right next to the start line at The Grove. The LAPD had the End of Watch Memorial Wall which was stunning and … MORE
The race was so well organized. Parking was right next to the start line at The Grove. The LAPD had the End of Watch Memorial Wall which was stunning and emotional to see the names of the fallen. There were cadets passing out extra bibs with name of the fallen officers to put on the back of your shirt. The fire department and paramedics were there with a huge flag at one point in the race lifted up on the fire ladders between two fire trucks. Before we entered into Paramount Studios there were two lines of officers cheering us on as we went inside the studio where there was an incredible display of old police cars, ambulances, etc. We were so honored to be a part of this race. We didn’t have the best time because of the picture taking. Can’t wait to show our support and do this race again!!!
Skip the half; do the 10k
I did the half and loved the beginning of the race. Large crowd, very patriotic - love that. Lot of first responders. Parking was a breeze in and out of … MORE
I did the half and loved the beginning of the race. Large crowd, very patriotic – love that. Lot of first responders. Parking was a breeze in and out of garage. Course is fairly flat but lots out and backs which is kinda boring. Right after Paramount Studios, which is the 10k turnaround, the half continues and if you are BOP there aren’t a lot of runners. Weather was great this year, cool and sunny. Medal was nice. Cotton t-shirt which I don’t mind as I give to my husband. I forgot to pick up my jacket at gear check and sent an email with the offchance I could get it back but never even got a response. I would have loved to know where they donated the items cause I would have gone and bought it back – lol! ** UPDATE ** The organizers mailed back my jacket! I couldn’t believe it. It was one from the LA Marathon so they kindly sent it back to me. I will definitely be supporting this race next year…in the 10k.
Fun Challenging Race
This race started and ended at the Grove in LA. They offer race morning pick up of bib and goodies. This series is to remember first responders. There were cadets … MORE
This race started and ended at the Grove in LA. They offer race morning pick up of bib and goodies.
This series is to remember first responders. There were cadets from each branch and they ran the 10K in formation. Really neat to watch them all go by. The 10K and 1/2 started together so it was a bit crowded the first 3ish miles. I would consider this course hilly. It was challenging but still doable and fun.
When you pick up your bib you also get to choose a coin. I believe there were 6 coins in total and each one honored a different first responder team. LAPD, LAFD and so on. You add the coin to the center of your medal. So you could potential have 6 different medals.
Good cause, bad production,
If you love the looks and smells of LA it might be an event for you but if you like beautiful runs and a high energy healthy crowd, this isn't … MORE
If you love the looks and smells of LA it might be an event for you but if you like beautiful runs and a high energy healthy crowd, this isn’t the race. The pre race info was lacking, both distances received the same medal and the participant t was just a basi T.. Cheap. I expected more for the Run to remember name. Maybe they’ll get it right next year. Just a shame.. the best part was the run through the studio and the first responder support
Paramount Studios Tour!
Pros: Cool event to let us run through the Paramount Studios lot with a bunch of First Responders cheering us on. There were two or three long steady inclines and … MORE
Pros: Cool event to let us run through the Paramount Studios lot with a bunch of First Responders cheering us on. There were two or three long steady inclines and maybe one or two short steep inclines. Overall, I had a great run after coming back from a week long business trip.
Cons: Finding parking was ridiculous. I understand this was an inaugural event, but I’d expect to have better directions in finding parking for everyone.