Running Universal Jurassic World 5K & 10K
Universal City, CA
- 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Prepare to run! Get ready for the next Running Universal Featuring Jurassic World 5K on Saturday, and NOW, the newly added 10K on Sunday! Experience a heart-pounding race through the Theme Park and parts of the Universal Backlot, take photos with dinosaurs and other Photo Ops, then make your escape … MORE
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A fun 10k, but not as fun as the 5k
If you’re looking for a great, themed fun 10k, then the Running Universal Jurassic World 10k is just for you! I did the 5k the day before, but the Jurassic … MORE
If you’re looking for a great, themed fun 10k, then the Running Universal Jurassic World 10k is just for you! I did the 5k the day before, but the Jurassic World medals are so cool that I just HAD to do the challenge to grab all 3!
-Pre-race, pickup: No real expo, but packet pickup was at the Universal Citywalk parking garage, which was well-organized, and included some nice Jurassic photo ops.
-The course: Despite being double the length, the fun Universal Studios Hollywood portions of the 10k race were roughly the same as the 5k: through the entrance gates, right by Hogwarts Castle, past the Jurassic Park ride, then through the Studio Tour areas as well as some backstage portions you don’t normally get to see. To get to 10k, the extra segments of the race are a tiny bit more of the backstage, but most of the extra miles are tacked on through a hilly road right outside the park (running uphill with a rising sun in your eyes isn’t fun…) and then through the Citywalk parking lot (!). This was the least pleasant part of the race, with elevation gains and lots of drab concrete. I wish the 10k course added more through the backstage instead of this route, or at the very least populate this area with more photo ops and theming.
-Post-race: As with the 5k, you get your usual grab-bag of water and snacks, but the finish line is in a festive environment in Universal Citywalk. There are great photo ops with some Velociraptor statues too! The 10k medal is a terrific-looking Indominus Rex medal that’s heavy, detailed, and looks fierce. If you completed the 5k + 10k, then you’ll also get a Velociraptor Challenge medal as well. That tail is sharp!
-Wishlist: The 10k shirt design is the iconic Jurassic Park logo, but printed on a drab light gray tech shirt. I’m not a fan of gray, but I’m probably nit-picking. I also wish there were more photo ops along the course, especially along the road/parking garage section of the course. I’d love to see more characters and maybe even some of the “live” dinosaurs like Blue and the triceratops that show up in the park.
-The Bottom Line: If you’re a fan of themed fun runs, or a fan of Jurassic Park/World, the 10k is a great race, but a bit more challenging and less fun than the 5k.
A Dino-mite run!
Ever since Run Disney paused (ended?) their events at Disneyland, there was a real costume-sized hole in my runner heart. I was so happy to see Universal fill in that … MORE
Ever since Run Disney paused (ended?) their events at Disneyland, there was a real costume-sized hole in my runner heart. I was so happy to see Universal fill in that void, especially since Jurassic Park is one of my favorite movies ever.
-Pre-race, pickup: No real expo, but packet pickup was at the Universal Citywalk parking garage, which was well-organized, and included some nice Jurassic photo ops.
-The course: This is a nice, fun run that takes you through Universal Studios Hollywood: through the entrance gates, right by Hogwarts Castle, past the Jurassic Park ride, then through the Studio Tour areas as well as some backstage portions you don’t normally get to see. The backstage areas are surprisingly hilly, so do be prepared for that, but cheering Universal cast members were so encouraging with their support. It was surreal seeing so many runners dressed as Drs. Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm, as well as a couple dino costumes. As always, Jurassic Park >> Jurassic World! There were a handful of photo ops with John Hammond, Ian Malcolm, and some dinos and vehicles, but I do wish there were more. Between the crowds, hills, and photo-ops, don’t expect a PR, just enjoy it!
-Post-race: You get your usual grab-bag of water and snacks, but the finish line is in a really festive environment in Universal Citywalk that puts a smile on your face. There are a couple great photo ops with some Velociraptor statues too! The medal? Incredible-looking Tyrannosaurus Rex medal for the 5k. Seriously, it’s heavy, detailed, and impressive. I have no idea how they plan to one-up the medals in future years, but I look forward to it.
-Wishlist: The 5k shirt design of a T-rex is a nice blue color, but the cotton material is less than ideal, and the print is already starting to fade a bit. I also wish there were more photo ops along the course, with more characters and maybe even some of the “live” dinosaurs like Blue and the triceratops that show up in the park. The only on-course dinos I remember are from the Lost World section of the Studio Tour.
-The Bottom Line: If you’re a fan of themed fun runs, or a fan of Jurassic Park/World, this is a must-do!