My Profile

@runforbeer

Oxnard, CA Raving since 2016 Half Fanatics #12459 Active 2 years, 4 months ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):
  • Rave race:
  • Race that's calling my name:
  • I run because:

    The world is garbage and I need the endorphins.

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (10)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Up to you! Santa Clarita, CA May 7, 2017 1:10:27
Marathon Azusa, CA Nov 12, 2016 4:37:12
Half Marathon Stonewall, TX Apr 27, 2014 1:52:22
10 Miler Virginia Beach, VA Dec 7, 2013 1:22:14
16K San Antonio, TX Sep 13, 2014 1:31:58
Double 15K (10K + 5K) Los Angeles, CA Oct 2, 2016 1:32:00
10K Ventura, CA Jun 20, 2015 51:09
8K Virginia Beach, VA 2009 52:50
5K Helotes, TX 2014 22:23
1 Miler Carlsbad, CA Apr 3, 2016 6:47

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (82)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
5K Ojai, CA Jun 5, 2022
Marathon Los Angeles, CA Mar 8, 2020 6:14:00
Marathon Big Sur, CA Apr 28, 2019
5K Carlsbad, CA Apr 6, 2019 28:50
Marathon Los Angeles, CA Mar 24, 2019
Half Marathon Pasadena, CA Jan 20, 2019
5K Riverside, CA Dec 2, 2018
Half Marathon Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Nov 17, 2018
Half Marathon Ventura, CA Oct 21, 2018
Half Marathon Big Bear, CA Oct 14, 2018
5K Los Angeles, CA Sep 30, 2018
10K Santa Monica, CA Sep 9, 2018
5K Irvine, CA Sep 8, 2018
50K Green Valley, CA Apr 14, 2018
20K Carlsbad, CA Mar 25, 2018
5K Los Angeles, CA Mar 17, 2018
Marathon Los Angeles, CA Mar 3, 2018
5K Los Angeles, CA Feb 25, 2018 27:25
Half Marathon Pasadena, CA Jan 21, 2018
Half Marathon Phoenix, AZ Jan 14, 2018
5K Phoenix, AZ Jan 13, 2018
5K Los Angeles, CA Jan 7, 2018 25:39
5K Riverside, CA Dec 3, 2017
5K Malibu, CA Nov 5, 2017 27:07
Half Marathon Los Angeles, CA Oct 29, 2017 2:26:53
5K Ventura, CA Oct 22, 2017 27:17
Half Marathon San Jose, CA Oct 8, 2017
5K Santa Monica, CA Sep 10, 2017 29:08
10K Irvine, CA Sep 9, 2017
Half Marathon San Diego, CA Jul 16, 2017
Half Marathon San Diego, CA Jun 4, 2017
Up to you! Santa Clarita, CA May 7, 2017 1:10:27
5K Camarillo, CA Apr 23, 2017 25:31
5K Carlsbad, CA Apr 2, 2017
5K Agoura Hills, CA Apr 1, 2017
Marathon Los Angeles, CA Mar 19, 2017 5:33:36
Half Marathon Pasadena, CA Jan 22, 2017 2:11:51
9.3 Challenge (5K + 10K) Los Angeles, CA Jan 8, 2017
Half Marathon Van Nuys, CA Dec 18, 2016 2:15:31
Marathon Azusa, CA Nov 12, 2016 4:37:12
Half Marathon Los Angeles, CA Oct 30, 2016 2:18:40
5K Ventura, CA Oct 22, 2016 23:51
Double 15K (10K + 5K) Los Angeles, CA Oct 2, 2016 1:32:00
10K Santa Monica, CA Sep 11, 2016 54:29
Half Marathon San Diego, CA Jul 17, 2016 2:28:35
5K Oxnard, CA Jul 4, 2016 23:22
10K Los Angeles, CA Apr 17, 2016 56:57
1 Miler Carlsbad, CA Apr 3, 2016 6:47
Half Marathon Agoura Hills, CA Mar 19, 2016 2:29:03
5K Ventura, CA Mar 6, 2016 23:33
Marathon Los Angeles, CA Feb 14, 2016 4:45:55
10K Camarillo, CA Dec 20, 2015 51:50
Half Marathon Oxnard, CA Dec 13, 2015 2:04:12
Half Marathon San Diego, CA Nov 21, 2015 1:58:44
Half Marathon Las Vegas, NV Nov 15, 2015 1:59:00
Half Marathon Santa Clarita, CA Nov 8, 2015 2:16:43
Half Marathon Goleta, CA Nov 7, 2015 1:59:28
Half Marathon Los Angeles, CA Oct 25, 2015 2:10:08
10K Ventura, CA Oct 24, 2015 52:47
5K Camarillo, CA Sep 20, 2015
Half Marathon Simi Valley, CA Aug 9, 2015 1:59:23
Half Marathon Ventura, CA Jul 12, 2015 2:06:09
10K Ventura, CA Jun 20, 2015 51:09
Half Marathon San Diego, CA May 31, 2015 3:19:10
15K Camarillo, CA Apr 19, 2015
Marathon Los Angeles, CA Mar 15, 2015 4:54:48
Half Marathon Huntington Beach, CA Feb 1, 2015 1:54:53
Half Marathon Helotes, TX Oct 18, 2014 2:19:33
16K San Antonio, TX Sep 13, 2014 1:31:58
10K Fredericksburg, TX Aug 8, 2014 1:00:56
Half Marathon Stonewall, TX Apr 27, 2014 1:52:22
5K San Antonio, TX Mar 15, 2014 22:43
Half Marathon Sugar Land, TX Jan 26, 2014 1:55:27
5K Helotes, TX 2014 22:23
10 Miler Virginia Beach, VA Dec 7, 2013 1:22:14
Half Marathon Kitty Hawk, NC 2013 2:04:17
Half Marathon Austin, TX 2013 2:03:44
Half Marathon Corpus Christi, TX 2012 2:21:38
Marathon San Antonio, TX 2012 6:22:56
5K San Antonio, TX 2012 30:43
Half Marathon San Antonio, TX 2011 2:30:48
8K Virginia Beach, VA 2009 52:50

My Raves

I have run each distance of this race multiple times and this year was an absolute joke. Signed up last minute for the 5K, so the date change and course … MORE

I have run each distance of this race multiple times and this year was an absolute joke. Signed up last minute for the 5K, so the date change and course issues didn’t impact me. Expo was the same as always, not many vendors, parking fee is a ripoff for such a small expo. There was immediate confusion at the start line, the announcer directed runners to a couple of folding chairs that was the “start line”, even though the timing mat was no where near it. Then the national anthem started and that’s where my issues start. The announcer recommended that people remove their hats like always. Some folks did not, probably because they are about to start a race and had everything situated. That’s when a security guard decided to enforce patriotism and put his hands on people demanding they remove their hats. These were females that he did this too and one was clearly bothered by it. This is completely unacceptable, especially with the way things are in this country. I left a comment on their Instagram post and was told an incident report would be filed, but they refused to issue an apology or even acknowledge it happened. Oh, then there’s the post race food. Did they forget that we are still in a freaking pandemic??? Unwrapped food that had been just sitting out for people to breathe on and put their hands all over, disgusting.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
1
SCENERY
4
SWAG
1

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2020 was my 6th consecutive year running this marathon. The course is definitely the star, you'll pass almost every historic landmark in the 4 cities you run through. Despite corona … MORE

2020 was my 6th consecutive year running this marathon. The course is definitely the star, you’ll pass almost every historic landmark in the 4 cities you run through. Despite corona virus concerns, the communities were still out in full force to show their support for the race. Now, let’s get to the details.

Pre-race communications were good for the most part, with the exception of how and where to pick up the 35th anniversary medal. The assumption was that it would be handed out upon completion like all other challenge medal, but it had to be picked up at the expo. Everything else was communicated clearly and frequently.

I opted to park in Santa Monica and take the shuttle like always, it never goes smoothly. Participants continue to ignore the clear bag policy and no one bothers checking. I was on the 0500 shuttle and didn’t get to the stadium until after 0600, traffic was brutal and there was no dedicated lane for shuttles to enter, buses were still arriving when the open corral was starting. The start was also more cramped this year, understandable since there was construction and the stadium was closed.

Course support was great like always, plenty of water, Nuun, and Clif gels, can’t thank the volunteers enough. There also seemed to be adequate medical support. The finish chute was lacking in the nutrition department. Bottled water and a small cup of Nuun isn’t cutting it. In previous years there were full size bottles of Gatorade and muscle milk.

Now here’s where this race has gone downhill. The finish festival and “beer garden”. In previous years, Angel City was the official beer, with a couple of others added in the past two years (Corona Premier, 26.2 Brew). This year? Truly, Heineken 0.0, and I guess normal Heineken. Disgusting. People come from all over the world and you have a chance to have a local brewery host your beer garden and you choose and giant foreign brewery and a seltzer company owned by Sam Adams. I get that small craft breweries don’t have the finances to sponsor a beer garden for a large event like this, but at least try to get Golden Road and their Ab-Inbev (foreign owned, I know) to sponsor it. At least you get some locally brewed, decent tasting beer at the end. For the price of registration, the finish festival should be top notch, this is one of the worst I’ve ever seen.

All in all, it was another fun race. That being said, this may have been my final LA Marathon. You can’t charge people $200+ for a race and not provide a $200+ experience. I realize that Conqur is a non-profit now, but that’s not an excuse to cut corners. My suggestions? Fix the shuttle situation, hand out proper nutrition after the race, and get a real beer garden again. I’ll decide if it’s worth the money for 2021 once I see the sponsors they decide on.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
2
SCENERY
5
SWAG
2

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

I was so glad to hear that Meb and other locals purchased this race from Ironman (Rock n Roll). The differences in ownership were apparent from the second I arrived. … MORE

I was so glad to hear that Meb and other locals purchased this race from Ironman (Rock n Roll). The differences in ownership were apparent from the second I arrived. Bib pick up was much easier than in years past, no longer was it hidden a few blocks from the actual expo. The shirts are great quality as is the medal, both with a simplistic yet classic design to them. The course was the same as in years past as it should be, still fast with a few small climbs. Meb was even giving out high fives in the start corrals and hanging out at the finish line socializing with runners. The beer garden and post race party area had much more room this year and the lines for beer were super short due to beer being for participants only. You can tell that runners that truly get it and care about the sport are in charge now.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Received an entry from the sponsor brewery Angel City. Arrived just over an hour before the race, found free parking in a large lot fairly close by. Packet pickup was … MORE

Received an entry from the sponsor brewery Angel City. Arrived just over an hour before the race, found free parking in a large lot fairly close by. Packet pickup was a breeze, left me plenty of time to take it back to my car and get a decent warm-up in. The race started a few minutes late, no biggie. There was a lot of dodging walkers and kids at the start, luckily the road was pretty wide. The first mile and a half has A LOT of hills, mostly of the uphill variety, but the views of downtown were great. Once I hit the 1 mile marker I noticed that my watch was only at .80 miles, figured they had just put it in the wrong spot. The second half was mostly downhill with a few small climbs sprinkled in. Upon finishing, my watch said 2.9 miles. Later in the day I looked at the map on their site and they seem to have forgot to add a small out and back before heading up in to the hilly sections. The medal was really cool, a spinner with the year of the dog on one side and firecracker logo on the other. The after party was great, plenty of Angel City beer and a great DJ, she kept everyone entertained. I initially thought the beer garden was too big, but once the 10K runners came in it was packed! All in all it was a fun time and great race, I’m sure the short course was just an accidental oversight. Will most likely do it again next year.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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This was an ok race experience overall. I originally signed up for the ½ back in March but downgraded due to lack of training and too many other races on … MORE

This was an ok race experience overall. I originally signed up for the ½ back in March but downgraded due to lack of training and too many other races on my schedule. I’ll break it down into three sections.

The Good: Fairly scenic course for the 5K, I did notice that the half marathon course had a large section with trees blocking the coastal view. The t-shirt is good quality and loved that they had boxed water. The medal was just ok, a little boring and uninspiring, could seriously use some color.

The Bad: The beer garden. Erdinger was handing out the N/A artificially flavored stuff at the finish. It’s not good and should not be called beer. They had an actual beer garden, $5 a piece which is reasonable and profits went to a good cause. Unfortunately, they were pouring bottles that had recently been put in to ice in red solo cups, which meant instant foam and it was taking 5 minutes to pour one beer. There are so many great breweries in this area, go get a keg from one of them and support a local business. Also, for the price of registration, one beer ticket should have been included. I can’t recall doing a race with a beer garden where you don’t get at least one. I heard from many that parking was a complete nightmare, luckily I took a chance and parked in the neighboring shopping center lot since I knew I’d be done before the stores opened.

The Ugly: Start line management. The corral was long and wrapped around to the expo. Unfortunately, there were no speakers in the expo area so you couldn’t hear what was going on at the start. The 1/2 should’ve started at 7 and the 5K at 7:20. I made my way to the start at 7:15 and the half runners were still in the chute and 5K runners were being told to get out. Even as they told the 5K runners to line up, late arriving half runners were pushing their way to the front. If you can’t arrive on time, don’t sign up. The 5K portion of this event was treated like an afterthought.

I wanted to like this race, but it failed miserably in the two areas that matter most to me, start line organization and beer garden. There were many other great races in SoCal this weekend, one of those will probably get my money next year.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
2
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

The expo seemed smaller this year than in years past. I get the feeling that this is the red-headed stepchild of RnR races. Parking is pretty expensive for the expo … MORE

The expo seemed smaller this year than in years past. I get the feeling that this is the red-headed stepchild of RnR races. Parking is pretty expensive for the expo and on race morning, especially with ComiCon going on. Luckily I know the area and scored parking about a mile away on a side street. The race had the usual well done RnR organization. The course itself is not good and is on its third different one in as many years. It’s basically a bunch of out and backs in DTLA, the best part was the loop around the Coliseum but that was taken out a few weeks before the race. The finish festival was fun, glad they moved the finish line this year to make it less confusing to get to the after-party. The beer garden was mah, can never get excited about Michelob Ultra. Hopefully, with the new ownership, they’ll get rid of the corporate beer or at least get something decent. I love LA, so I’ll probably do it again next year if they still have it.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
2
SWAG
4

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This year Lexus Laceup and Ventura Marathon combined to form one event. It had the usual LaceUp expo with plenty of vendors and the beer garden/beach party was a two-day … MORE

This year Lexus Laceup and Ventura Marathon combined to form one event. It had the usual LaceUp expo with plenty of vendors and the beer garden/beach party was a two-day event. The shirts for Laceup this year aren’t the best, not a true tech shirt and the sizing on them is weird so they’re all going to end up going to goodwill. The 5K started extremely late, like 40 minutes. Not sure what the issue was, just kept getting told it would start soon. The warm-up I did before the race was essentially useless by the time we started. The course was just ok. It started with a short climb up Sanjon and went to downtown Ventura. I really wish they had utilized more of the coast and promenade for the race, but I know it’s tough when you have 3 different distances starting in 3 different places finishing in the same spot. The medal is really cool and the post-race party was fun. Loved the free Sierra Nevada beer! Hopefully next year they have more room and tables, once the 1/2 field starting finishing it got really crowded. Would also like to see the food truck option like the other Laceup races, the one brick hard waffle wasn’t cutting it.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This is yet another stellar event from Conqur Endurance Group. Everything was perfect! Race communication the week of was clear and concise, they made sure to point out where everything … MORE

This is yet another stellar event from Conqur Endurance Group. Everything was perfect! Race communication the week of was clear and concise, they made sure to point out where everything was located as far as parking, the start line, the finish festival, and they even sent out bib numbers twice just to be safe!

Bib pick up the day before in Santa Monica was quick and easy, easy to find and plenty of street parking. There was also race morning pick up at the start with plenty of computers for those who didn’t know their number to look them up.

The race itself was amazing, it’s a nice little tour through Main St and then along Ocean Ave with a finish near the world famous Santa Monica Pier. There were plenty of refreshments after finishing and at the finish festival on the pier. This year’s medal may be the best one yet and the t-shirt is really high quality and made by Skechers Performance, not some cheap off brand. This is a world class event and a great way to kick off the Conqur LA Challenge.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This event starts at the same time at 25 different locations around the world, as well as organized runs using their official app. Santa Clarita is lucky enough to have … MORE

This event starts at the same time at 25 different locations around the world, as well as organized runs using their official app. Santa Clarita is lucky enough to have the earliest start time, 4:00 am! Packet pickup was held the day before and on race morning from 2:30-3:45. We got there just before 3:00 to be the crowd. The registration fee is $60 which gets you a bib w/ timing chip, a nice tech shirt, and a swag bag with lights you can wear since it’s dark out. I was able to park in the shopping center garage for free and it was directly next to the start/finish area. They had TV’s set up to broadcast the live feed from around the world and heaters were set up nearby. Southern California was announced as the coldest of all locations, it was around 45 at the start.

The race started at exactly 4:00 and stayed on local roads since they have street lights. Portably light carts were set up on a few stretches of darkness. The portion of the course that I covered was mostly flat with a few hills around the 4 mile mark. The first water station wasn’t until mile 3, so I suggest bringing your own. I was finally caught by the “catcher car” at mile 6.5, but I had a few friends make it to mile 8 and 10.5. Luckily I was caught right by a shuttle stop back to the finish area. The shuttle had a bucket of red bulls since they are the main sponsor, much appreciated at this time of day. Back at the finish everyone was presented their medal and some stuck around to watch the live feed, but I noticed most leaving since it was still cool out.

I was given an entry for this from Lexus Laceup since they partnered with Wings For Life to have a double medal, but I will gladly pay my own way to do this again next year!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This event has a 10K partial trail race, 5K, and option to do both dubbed the "Hero Race", it's located at Cal State University-Channel Islands in Camarillo. I did the … MORE

This event has a 10K partial trail race, 5K, and option to do both dubbed the “Hero Race”, it’s located at Cal State University-Channel Islands in Camarillo. I did the Hero Race in 2015 and the 5K this year. This event always sells out a few days before race day, which is why I missed out last year. Proceeds from the event benefit the Autism Society of Ventura County. Packet pickup was at Road Runner Sports in Thousand Oaks on Saturday with the option for race day pickup as well. I grabbed mine Saturday on the way to LA for a concert. Participants received a bib with timing chip (timing by Vendurance.com), soft cotton t-shirt, and choice of a pair of costume sunglasses. I wanted the minion glasses, but my wife vetoed so she could get the pink power ranger ones.

The 10K started Sunday at 7:00, which meant you needed to run a decent pace if you signed up for the 5K starting at 8:30. Parking was quick and easy with plenty of volunteers directing traffic. It was about a 10 minute walk to the start area, perfect time for a quick warm-up. The start and finish area are a short distance apart to cut down on crowding since this is a large event, around 200 for the 10K and 2,000 for the 5K. The 5K was delayed about 20 minutes while officials made sure the course was clear of traffic and 10K’ers. The weather was nice, but no cloud cover and I forgot my visor, so I was baking before it even started, totally my fault. The course is almost completely flat with a few small inclines that turn around immediately and drop back down. There were two water stations, more than enough for a 5K. At the finish festival there were vendors and booths supporting the Autism Society. Results were posted near the finish and available online as well. Race bibs had tickets for pancakes and a small jamba juice. Starbucks also had free iced coffee which was awesome after a warm race! The medal is always shaped like a puzzle piece so it can connect to previous medals, only difference is the lanyard design. This is one of the best events in Ventura County and I’ll definitely be back next year.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5
My Media

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

The expo was held on Friday and Saturday at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I had originally planned to go on Saturday after the LA Big 5K. Unfortunately, having a … MORE

The expo was held on Friday and Saturday at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I had originally planned to go on Saturday after the LA Big 5K. Unfortunately, having a pub run the night before and not being able to sleep well, I missed that. The expo was held in the west hall this year and was noticeably smaller, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The first step was to get my bib, but they didn’t have it at the numbered bib section. It was at expo services not too far away, presumably because we were upgraded to start line hospitality. Next up, I got my super nice Skechers race shirt and gear check bag. The race once again offered a virtual event bag, which I’m always a huge fan of. It’s way less waste and there were plenty of vendors handing samples out. The giant Skechers Performance race merchandise store was the first thing that everyone had to pass through. I don’t usually buy stuff at the expo, but this year was an exception. I grabbed two nice visors (on sale) and the official race shirt. After that, I did my usual vendor browsing. There was one handing out samples of non-alcohol beer (Erdinger N/A), which I actually liked.

The Race: My alarm went off at 2:30 and I managed to get up on time for once. All of the things I needed were already laid out, just had to wash up and get ready. I was on the road by 3:00 since my shuttle reservation was at 4:30 and it’s about an hour drive with no traffic. I got to Santa Monica and parked right at 4:00. My parking was pre-paid weeks in advance, which is highly recommended if you park here. It was about a 5-10 minute walk to where the shuttles left from, so I had plenty of time to be on one by 4:30. Or so I thought. This was the major issue I know that everyone is complaining about. The line to board the buses was insanely long and was barely moving, even with a lot of buses just sitting there. Also, the porta-potties were directly beside the shuttle line. Volunteers were slowly “checking” bags and checking to see who was wearing running vests, waist pouches, etc. They were giving out red wristbands to attach to them, but I’m not sure why. I finally got on a bus just before 5:00, cutting it close to get to the hospitality tent for the 5:30 ambassador meet-up. Once we were close to the stadium, it appeared the off ramp the said buses only was completely closed and not even letting buses exit. All of the shuttles ended up in the same line as vehicles dropping runners off. More confusion set in once at the stadium, a few buses got turned around near the academy gate. They pretty much said screw it and dropped us off there, so I got in a good warm up walk to the stadium. On to the race itself, which started at 6:45 with the elite women, followed by the elite men and the full field. It seemed as if the weather was finally going to be on our side, around 50 at the start! I was put in corral B, but in no way did I train enough to maintain that pace. Since this day wasn’t about a PR or even a course record like the previous 2 years, I decided to go full on tourist and have fun with it. Once they announced there would be close to 40 Snapchat filters along the course, that made my decision even easier. Geo-filters are the only reason I really use SC, so I thought it would be fun. The race started with the usual shuffle out of the Dodger Stadium parking lot onto the streets of LA. The first 4 miles are in the downtown area through Chinatown and Little Tokyo. The course then went on to pass through Echo Park, Silver Lake, Little Armenia, and into Hollywood. I was trying to stop at all of the major landmarks to Snapchat and see what filters were available. It was really fun to finally just take this course in and pay attention to the sights and sounds. After passing through all of Hollywood, the course went through Beverly Hills and on to Rodeo Drive. Just after that, I spotted the first LA Road Runners aid station. I remembered seeing them post that they would have Hot Shot pain shots (like an alcohol-free shot of fireball for pain). I grabbed one and downed it, which didn’t sit well on my stomach for a few minutes. After getting water at the next aid station, that issue went away. I also tried to stop whenever I saw icy hot spray being used at medical tents. My longest run prior to this was the Pasadena Half in January, so my knees were starting to ache. The next few miles were a combination of running and walking to keep from getting an injury. This part of the course is where you really learn to appreciate the support the city shows to this race. There is never a dull moment and you will never have to worry about not having water, fruit, snacks, candy, or even a shot of beer or two. That’s the #1 reason I love this race and this city. I have never seen so much support and encouragement from complete strangers (and even fellow runner friends not running the event). The last few miles went through the community of Brentwood with a gradual downhill to Santa Monica and Ocean Avenue. The last 1/2 mile is barricaded off to keep out bandits and was packed with people cheering. At this point, the race was 5 1/2 hours old and it felt like I was coming down towards the finish line in the top 10. Again, I F’N LOVE this city. I hit the finish at 5:33 with a smile on my face. Not my best, not my worst, but without a doubt the most fun I’ve had during a marathon.

Post Race: Once I received my medals and took my picture, I went to get my stuff from gear check. This was an area the needed to be improved on from last year and they nailed it. It was done by bib number this year and not last name, which did not work very well. The sign pointing towards the finish festival and beer garden was after the exit chute to get there, so a lot of people had to turn around to head that way. Another issue I had was the number of friends and family members over-crowding the entrance to the festival, it was nearly impossible to enter and spectators were practically stepping on runners feet. They definitely need to move them further back next year. That is the last thing people need after a marathon in a cramped space like that and the risk of injury. Once in the beer garden, I could tell it was much larger than last year. We got one free beer with our bib, which I really think should be at least 2. Angel City brought four beers this year versus the two last year. Overall, it was another fantastic event from Skechers Performance and Conqur Endurance Group. The support from all cities involved and the volunteers was world class. It was an honor to work with them during the season and I hope to be back next year. If not, I’ll still Conqur LA again!

DIFFICULTY
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PRODUCTION
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My Report
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5
My Media

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

Race director once again not prepared for an event. Handed out medals from a completely different race held last year. It amazes me that people still sign up for these … MORE

Race director once again not prepared for an event. Handed out medals from a completely different race held last year. It amazes me that people still sign up for these “races”.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
1
SCENERY
3
SWAG
1

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This was race #2 in the first ever ConqurLA Challenge. Packet pickup was on Friday and Saturday, I opted to go on Sat. It was very well organized and had … MORE

This was race #2 in the first ever ConqurLA Challenge. Packet pickup was on Friday and Saturday, I opted to go on Sat. It was very well organized and had some of the usual vendors. For comparisons sake, it was a little bit bigger than the Revel Canyon City expo, much smaller than LA Marathon. Parking was a little tricky due to other events going on in the area, but I got lucky with a metered spot on the street. I got in and got my bib, t-shirt, and check out a few vendors before leaving. I really like the shirt for this since I wear a lot of black t-shirts as casual wear.

I was running late on race morning, which meant I ended up at the back of the massive live to enter the stadium parking lot. I imagine that someone with the city of Pasadena dropped the ball here because stop lights were still functioning and police were nowhere to be seen directing traffic. Conqur group was very responsive on social media and communicated that the race would be delayed. I understand that some people were upset about waiting in the rain during the delay, but we were about to run a half in it anyway. I’m sure these issues are at the top of the priority list to improve on next year.

On to the race itself, which started right around 0730. It was raining lightly and the wind wasn’t too bad, I estimate it was around 45-50. That’s cold for SoCal natives, but I thought it was perfect. I hate racing with the sun beating me down. The course went through a few neighborhoods before heading to Old Town Pasadena and surrounding area. Even though it was raining, there were still plenty of people out cheering us on. Around mile 9 the course crossed over the beautiful Colorado Street Bridge back down towards the Rose Bowl, where the half runners ran what doubled as the 5K course around the golf course. The finish chute started just outside of the stadium culminating with the finish line at the 50-yard line. On the field they had signs for taking pictures, mylar blankets, and water/Gatorade. Snacks were available exiting the stadium which led to the finish festival. Not many people were sticking around since the rain was getting heavier and the wind was picking up. I decided to have my free beer courtesy of Ballast Point and then head home. Traffic leaving was a bit backed up due to the single entry/exit point. The volunteers were absolutely AMAZING! They had to stand in the rain and did so with a smile on their faces and the aid stations were handled very well. Traffic and parking aside, this was a great race with a fun challenging course and a awesome medal. I’m positive the parking issue will be addressed and their isn’t anything they can do about the weather. Can’t wait to run again next year!

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
3
My Report
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4
SWAG
4

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This was my first A Better World Running event. I signed up because I was too sick to run my race the weekend before and this looked like a decent, … MORE

This was my first A Better World Running event. I signed up because I was too sick to run my race the weekend before and this looked like a decent, inexpensive option. The half course was two loops around the park and adjacent golf course. The turn around contained the only aid station. The medal was pretty nice, didn’t get a t-shirt because those cost extra. It was chip timed and results were online later in the evening. They also upload free pics to Facebook. Pretty good value considering I paid $40 to sign up the week before. I’ll definitely do another one of their events if I need to sign up for something in SoCal last minute.

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2
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4
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3

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The organizers of this race series definitely get runners! I signed up for this a year ago to get the best price. I wasn't really trained to do a marathon, … MORE

The organizers of this race series definitely get runners! I signed up for this a year ago to get the best price. I wasn’t really trained to do a marathon, but there was no way I was going to drop down to the half. Packet pickup/expo was fairly small, I think there were only 10 or so vendors. It was a quick and smooth process to get everything and head back home. The buses to the start ran from 4 to 5, which meant getting up extremely early. It took about an hour to get to the start area since the buses had to go from 600 feet elevation to almost 6000. It wasn’t as cold as I expected it to be, but I still used the gloves and space blanket they provided in the swag bag. The first half of the race was completely downhill and aid stations were almost every 1.5 miles, they water and powerade, 3 of them had GU gels. The second half had a few small uphills, which completely derailed my pace, but that was due to lack of training. The final mile and a half was through the city of Azusa. The finish area is one of the best I’ve experienced. After getting my medal, I got my picture taken and headed to the beer garden for my 2 free beers. It was Coors Light since MillerCoors was a sponsor, understandable since there is a Miller brewery a mile away. They also had free pizza and pie, as well as free finisher certificates. Pictures from the race were also free. The medal is HUGE and the t-shirt was really nice, they even give you the option the get long or short sleeve. This is a race I will definitely do again, possibly at their other location as well.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
My Report
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4
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This was a typical Rock n' Roll race. The expo was ok once I finally got in and so was the t-shirt. The course was an out and back to … MORE

This was a typical Rock n’ Roll race. The expo was ok once I finally got in and so was the t-shirt. The course was an out and back to the LA Coliseum and an out and back down Wilshire Blvd, extremely boring and lazy course. The medal was ok, no where near as nice as other RnR events and the finish line didn’t even have the usual arch, just timing mats. It’s obvious that this race wasn’t high on the priority list of Competitor Group. Now on to the issue of packet freaking pickup. I find it hard to believe that they didn’t know LA ComiCon and some gaming competition would be going on at the same time. Luckily I got downtown early since I was working a booth as well. When I got there, area lots were charging upwards of $40 to park. Um no. I ended finding a street meter almost a mile away and walked. When I left the expo, parking rates had gone up to $60 nearby. They waited until almost 1:00 to post on FB that traffic and parking may be an issue. A little too late for that info. I imagine many people missed the race because of this. Complete clusterf&*k.

Hopefully they make some much needed changes if they want people to sign up next year, #1 being the expo, #2 being the horrible course, #3 being get real beer. No one likes Michelob Ultra. At least get Golden Road if you insist on corporate beer.

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3
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2
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2

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Lexus LaceUp knows what they are doing! Their prices are extremely reasonable, I paid $27 to do the 5K. Their race ambassadors are always putting 30% discount codes on social … MORE

Lexus LaceUp knows what they are doing! Their prices are extremely reasonable, I paid $27 to do the 5K. Their race ambassadors are always putting 30% discount codes on social media. The t-shirts are high quality and the medals are really nice. You also get a Sierra Nevada beer and food truck brunch with your registration. All of that for under $30. The course was almost completely flat, with the majority providing beach and ocean views. I can’t wait to run all 4 of their location next year and get that challenge medal!

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5
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I did both races (10K and 5K). The courses were the same while on Dodger Stadium, the only difference was that the 10K runners got to deal with the hills … MORE

I did both races (10K and 5K). The courses were the same while on Dodger Stadium, the only difference was that the 10K runners got to deal with the hills near Elysian Park. Packet pickup was well organized, I picked mine up race morning. No bag or other items, just a nice tech T and a bib w/ built-in timing chip. The medal was also very nice. Runners got to hang out inside the stadium as well. Overall a great event with great volunteers, just be ready for some hills if you do this.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
My Report
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3
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3
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This was my first time running this race, as it's part of the inaugural ConqurLA Challenge. I registered for all 3 races at once through imAthlete.com, quick and painless. Pre-race … MORE

This was my first time running this race, as it’s part of the inaugural ConqurLA Challenge. I registered for all 3 races at once through imAthlete.com, quick and painless. Pre-race information was communicated consistently via e-mail and Facebook. There was an option to pick up your bib the day before, but I opted against driving an hour for that. There was a one-hour window before the race(s) to pick it up and the lines were very short. I decided to park downtown near the pier where the finish line was, it was about a mile walk to the start which made for a good warm-up.
The 5K started first, led by the track teams from Santa Monica and Malibu High Schools. They were competing in a first-year challenge. Shortly after, the full 5K field was off and running. 20 minutes or so after the 5K began, the 10K started. I had to do a lot of weaving in and out because I wanted until the last minute to go #1 and didn’t get closer to the front in time, totally my fault. The start line was near Ocean View Park and the first mile was mostly flat and went along Main St. Just before mile 2, the course made a turn facing the pier followed by a right onto Ocean Ave. This is where the gentle uphill climb began as well as passing by the finish line chute. Over the next 2+ miles, the course gained about 200 feet of elevation. Mile 3 was mostly on San Vicente Blvd with the turnaround coming at mile 4. At that point, I was rewarded for keeping a good pace on the uphill climb with a 200-foot elevation loss in the exact opposite direction. The final stretch of the race is also identical for the LA Marathon, so it’s good practice for mentally preparing yourself for that. Upon crossing across the finish, there were volunteers handing out water and finishers medals (see picture). Runners were then directed to the Santa Monica Pier where the expo was being held. Once there, I got my finishers shirt and a few other goodies. Results were available live online with free tracking that included social media posting. There was also a results tent set up with plenty of laptops. All in all, this was an amazing race from Conqur Endurance Group and a great way to start the Conqur LA Challenge. My only suggestion is to consider starting the 10K first; there seemed to be a lot of walkers with strollers on the course.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
My Report
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5
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4
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I had friends run this and they ran out of t-shirts and medals. Race director pays to have nice reviews put on Facebook and deletes comments that make him look … MORE

I had friends run this and they ran out of t-shirts and medals. Race director pays to have nice reviews put on Facebook and deletes comments that make him look bad. Worst race director in California.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
1
SCENERY
1
SWAG
1

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For an inaugural event, this race was almost flawless. I registered early on when it was announced and had a discount code, so I got a steal of a deal. … MORE

For an inaugural event, this race was almost flawless. I registered early on when it was announced and had a discount code, so I got a steal of a deal. Even if I had to register last minute, it would’ve been worth it.

Packet pickup was in the parking of lot of Road Runner Sports (the title sponsor along with Green Flash Brewing and Adidas). It was quick and painless and took less than 10 minutes. I got my bib and free pint glass outside, then had to go inside the store to get my t-shirt and free sunglasses. I got an XL shirt, which was HUGE. Luckily I was able to swap after the race. The sunglasses were really nice and I’ll actually wear them every day. They actually retail for $25. The race shirt says “On a Beer Run” on the front with three small sponsor logos on the back.

Race morning came EARLY. They told everyone that latest you could be in line to catch a shuttle from the finish line at Green Flash to the start was 0500 (race started at 0630). I’m pretty sure plenty of people got there later than that, but I was on time and at the start area with an hour and change to kill. I did expect a little more out of the start. Team RWB was the race charity, but they didn’t even do the national anthem beforehand. The race started a few minutes late, I think it was around 0640. The weather was ideal for running, low 60’s, clouds, light breeze. The first few miles were mostly downhill with a few small inclines. Mile 7 was a gradual uphill, but you are rewarded with a decent downhill shortly after. At mile 10 is the “King of the Mountain” hill challenge portion. It’s 1.1 miles of STEEP uphill, almost 300 feet of gain to be exact. After that is another sharp downhill that leads to yet another hill that finishes with a right turn and a 1/4 mile flat stretch to the finish. I wasn’t concerned with time as this was a marathon training run, I just took it easy and enjoyed the event. Course support was good, but limited during the first few miles since access to the bike path is difficult. They had water and Nuun at each stop and had Clif Gels around mile 7 or 8. In race medics were also everywhere!

At the finish you got your medal, which looks like a tap handle and has a bottle opener on the back. There was water, nuun, bagel pieces, fruit, and lara bars. Most importantly, 4 beer tents with each having 2 different Green Flash brews. You could either get four 4oz tastings, two 8oz tastings, or one 16oz pour. They also had temp tattoos and sunglasses to give away. There were plenty of people giving their tickets away (thanks strangers!) There was some confusion with getting your ID checked and moving on to the beer tents, but the wait wasn’t too bad. There was also a picture station with a podium made with beer boxes and it had props such as a giant keg, beer glass, and bottle of beer. The Green Flash tasting room was open as well with a good 16 Green Flash beers on tap and 8 or so more from Alpine Brewing (Green Flash kegs and bottles their beer for them). I had one more there and got a growler to take back home. Oh, they also had special Snapchat filters too!

All in all, this was the most “bang for the buck” I’ve ever received for my registration fee. I hope they do this again next year, because I’ll definitely make this my San Diego “go to” race.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
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3
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5
My Media

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This is a great, small town race to get your 4th stared on the right foot (pun intended). It's very inexpensive and you have the option to save a few … MORE

This is a great, small town race to get your 4th stared on the right foot (pun intended). It’s very inexpensive and you have the option to save a few bucks by not getting a t-shirt. No medals, no swag, just a flat and super fast course. Start area is at the beautiful Channel Islands Harbor and there are 4th activities all day long in the area. Race management is excellent as are all Vendurance hosted events.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
1

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Signed up last minute to keep busy for the weekend. Parking was a little tricky since it is in downtown LA. Packet pickup was right at the start line, didn't … MORE

Signed up last minute to keep busy for the weekend. Parking was a little tricky since it is in downtown LA. Packet pickup was right at the start line, didn’t get the shirt because I didn’t have time to take it back to my car. The start was well organized, 5K and 10K started together. 5K was one loop, 10K was two. The race started and finished just outside of Staples center and there was a carnival for the kids afterwards. The course was flat, only difficulty was the sun beating down on the asphalt, probably needs to start earlier. They were literally handing out gallon jugs of water to people because of the heat. Everyone that finished got a nice, small medal and they had snacks and drinks available. Results were posted near the finish and online shortly after. Will definitely do again if nothing else is planned on race day.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
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4
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4

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I love everything about this event (except the price). Everything is top notch from the expo to the beer garden. You can not beat the course support from all of … MORE

I love everything about this event (except the price). Everything is top notch from the expo to the beer garden. You can not beat the course support from all of the communities this race passes through. It’s literally like a 26.2 buffet line. I was happy to see the beer garden go from mich ultra to Angel City this year. The only issue this year was picking up bags at gear check. It was utter chaos since they sorted them by last name and not bib number.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
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5

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All "Elite Sports California" races are a joke. Packet pickups are unorganized, they still use those crappy reusable timing chips, courses are painfully boring, age group "prizes" are usually cheap. … MORE

All “Elite Sports California” races are a joke. Packet pickups are unorganized, they still use those crappy reusable timing chips, courses are painfully boring, age group “prizes” are usually cheap. Races get cancelled for no reason and it’s impossible to get a refund or transfer. Race director doesn’t pay his charities. He is a crook that is just out to put money in his pocket by putting on cheap, poorly run events. Serious road racers need to avoid these at all costs.

DIFFICULTY
1
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1
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1
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1

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The course is almost 100% flat with the exception of one bridge. The first half is somewhat boring, but the crowds and community support pick up once you hit downtown … MORE

The course is almost 100% flat with the exception of one bridge. The first half is somewhat boring, but the crowds and community support pick up once you hit downtown Oxnard. They collect and donate A LOT of toys at this event.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
4
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3
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4

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I'm glad I did this race to say I did it. That being said, I doubt I will do it again. Like most Rock 'n' Roll races, corral assignments are … MORE

I’m glad I did this race to say I did it. That being said, I doubt I will do it again. Like most Rock ‘n’ Roll races, corral assignments are completely ignored. That may be a small issue at some of their events, but this one seemed to have 50 corrals and people just lined up wherever they wanted, including walkers in the faster corrals. I spent the first 3+ miles weaving in and out of groups of walkers 4-6 people wide. The course is what you would expect, completely lit up by the hotels and casinos on the strip and lots of bands on the course. The weather this year was extremely windy and there was a light mist, nothing brutal though. Aid stations were well manned, but runner etiquette was non-existent at them. The tech shirt and medal were both excellent. The pre-race Kid Rock concert was ok, seemed to get people pumped, fireworks went off at the start of each corral. The finish chute was well done, they had thermal blankets, snacks, and the corporate Mich Ultra beer. That went in the trash since there is a Yardhouse close by. If not staying on the strip, I recommend one of the hotels near the convention center is. That’s where the expo is held and there is tram station right there that runs to the start area and there is another close to the finish area. Again, great race to do once. If I had to do it over, I would make sure I was in the first few corrals to avoid the massive amount of walkers.

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1
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3
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5
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4

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I have no complaints about this race!! Everything was well organized. I loved the option for race morning packet pickup (since I had another race the day prior). The course … MORE

I have no complaints about this race!! Everything was well organized. I loved the option for race morning packet pickup (since I had another race the day prior). The course was scenic and mostly flat, a good majority of it was on the local trail system. The best part is that the finish line was right in front of BJ’s Brewhouse! Highly recommended.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
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4

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Packet pickup was a breeze and a fairly decent size. Pre-paid $10 bucks for parking and no one even checked to see if anyone paid on race morning, so that … MORE

Packet pickup was a breeze and a fairly decent size. Pre-paid $10 bucks for parking and no one even checked to see if anyone paid on race morning, so that was a rip off. The course was very scenic with some rolling hills and one fairly steep hill. The finish line party was pretty good with Firestone Walker beer. The t-shirt and medal need some serious work. Shirt was cotton and the medal was very uninspiring.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
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2

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This was my first time running a Lexus Laceup event and I will definitely be back. Great course, swag, medals, and even free post-race Sierra Nevada beer! MORE

This was my first time running a Lexus Laceup event and I will definitely be back. Great course, swag, medals, and even free post-race Sierra Nevada beer!

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2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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Cancelled 2 days before because the crook Bill Escobar didn't secure the proper permits. Refused to refund money to anyone, when he finally did for some people, the check bounced. … MORE

Cancelled 2 days before because the crook Bill Escobar didn’t secure the proper permits. Refused to refund money to anyone, when he finally did for some people, the check bounced. He has no business being a race director.

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1
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1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

All "Elite Sports California" races are a joke. Packet pickups are unorganized, they still use those crappy reusable timing chips, courses are painfully boring, age group "prizes" are usually cheap. … MORE

All “Elite Sports California” races are a joke. Packet pickups are unorganized, they still use those crappy reusable timing chips, courses are painfully boring, age group “prizes” are usually cheap. Races get cancelled for no reason and it’s impossible to get a refund or transfer. Race director doesn’t pay his charities. He is a crook that is just out to put money in his pocket by putting on cheap, poorly run events. Serious road racers need to avoid these at all costs.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
1
SCENERY
1
SWAG
2

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All "Elite Sports California" races are a joke. Packet pickups are unorganized, they still use those crappy reusable timing chips, age group "prizes" are usually cheap. Races get cancelled for … MORE

All “Elite Sports California” races are a joke. Packet pickups are unorganized, they still use those crappy reusable timing chips, age group “prizes” are usually cheap. Races get cancelled for no reason and it’s impossible to get a refund or transfer. Race director doesn’t pay his charities. He is a crook that is just out to put money in his pocket by putting on cheap, poorly run events. Serious road racers need to avoid these at all costs.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
1
SCENERY
3
SWAG
1

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I love everything about this event (except the price). Everything is top notch from the expo to the beer garden. You can not beat the course support from all of … MORE

I love everything about this event (except the price). Everything is top notch from the expo to the beer garden. You can not beat the course support from all of the communities this race passes through. Hopefully the weather cooperates one of these years.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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Still hasn't figured out where packet pickup will be since Sports Authority is going under and no one else wants anything to do with this shady race director. MORE

Still hasn’t figured out where packet pickup will be since Sports Authority is going under and no one else wants anything to do with this shady race director.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
1
SCENERY
1
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1

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I did this when it was still the 10 miler and it was an amazing event (mainly because it was the day after returning from a 6 month deployment). The … MORE

I did this when it was still the 10 miler and it was an amazing event (mainly because it was the day after returning from a 6 month deployment). The weather conditions were less than desirable, but that’s uncontrollable. It was on par with other J&A races I have done. Packet pickup, start line, and finish line were extremely well organized. Bonus points for the finish being inside! As always, you can’t beat the 3 free craft beers at the end.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
My Report
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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