Socorro Saboff's Staging Area

This is the most scenic, most well organized races in the one of the most beautiful cities in California. The website has links to discount hotels. I always pick the hotel that is a 10 minute walk from the starting line which is also the finish line. Also plenty of free parking as the more expensive hotels charge for parking. The website has all this information for you including shuttles if you pick a hotel at a distance. The food after the race is perfect! Always bananas, strawberries, bagels, various huge cookies, pineapple juice and various chips. The same for the last 14 years. This is so important to me. I’m lactose intolerant and I’ve attended races that only offer a lactose entree after a half marathon. Not good. With so many people having food allergies it’s nice that Monterey thinks ahead. Everything is fresh and so good. During the race there are multiple stops with water and Gatorade. Towards the turn around point you have Gu, and also petroleum jelly and the aid stations. The music through out the course is the best. Starting with the piano player playing the theme from Chariots of Fire during mile one to hip hop, Zumba and just dance music through out. Of course the seals cheering us on as we run the course along the ocean trail is so cool. The shirts are always techie and last forever. I still have my first one from 2004. And so many photographers with signs reminding you to smile as a photographer is up ahead. And so many at the finish line. I had approximately 30 pictures I was able to download. Then there’s the medal with an otter and the year. My absolute favorite race that I always make into a weekend getaway.

I have done this race for 13 years, it is on the Monterey coast and is so beautiful and well organized. If you’re a serious runner, the race adheres to corral assignments. If you just want to jog it and enjoy the scenery and the warm vibes from everyone around you, request a place behind the fast runners and enjoy the scenery. The shirts are always long sleeved, pastels for women, dark vibrant colors for men; the expo has many goodies for free and at discounted prices; the local hotels offer you great discounts so make it a weekend event, I always do. Race morning is at 7am, sometimes with sun, sometimes overcast, but the seals are always out cheering you on. The food at the end of the run is fruit, bagels, cookies, pineapple juice, water, sometimes chocolate milk, something everyone. I appreciate it because I have some food allergies, so I don’t appreciate races that offer premade omelettes with cheese and bacon. I’m hungry at the end of the run, so no dairy for me. (Had one race offer the omelette full of cheese, I was not happy) This race has water, gatorade, and GU, and orange slices throughout the course, including the petroleum jelly for shafing. Only needed that twice, but what a relief to find out that’s why some races offered it on the course! Whew! The after race party has beer, soup, and lots of other stuff that I don’t stay for, as my hotel is always nearby, as the finish line is at the wharf with hotels at your feet, or as in my case, a 10 minute walk.