The entire 13.1 miles I kept thinking about President Palmer saying "You're in good hands". Damn…read more24 and catchy Allstate slogan. Free beer, free pizza, and free massage at the end of the race? I'm IN! Sadly all we ended up getting was a can of beer, the pizza was out, and we missed out on the massage. Oh well, I didn't need those pizza anyway after burning all those calories. We had two options for parking; either the Santa Monica lot or the Venice lot. We parked in the Venice lot and the walk to the start of the race was actually pretty far away. Jogging there gave us a good warm up I guess. The event was pretty well organized. They had bag check in and pickup signs everywhere. They had plenty of photographers everywhere. And they had plenty of water booths, porta-potties, as well as security everywhere. As for the running portion, it was alright. Parts of the race was really nice as you ran along the shore. Sadly, of all the times, LA suddenly decides to have a cold snap and record lows in temperature! Throughout the race, about every two miles, there are water / Gatorade stations and porta-potties. And at certain mileage points, there are either DJ's playing music, live bands performing, or groups of people cheering. At one of the turns there was a group of cheerleaders doing pyramids, pretty cool! And at another part there was a group of people playing giant drums, also very cool. The first half of the race was quite okay, but the second half became freezing as you're sprinting mostly downhill. It really sucked right before that downhill portion though because it was all up hill for a couple of miles before the loop back down. The worst part was that the road was very deceiving into making you think that it was going to loop soon.. and you end up going a good handful of miles before it actually does. Sigh.. Overall its a nice race, on a nice course, with good organization. The medal at the end is pretty neat, and I really liked the free t-shirt you got at the packet pickup. I was really sad about the pizza running out though, since I was starving by the time I was done.

Awesome Half Marathon Event (4 stars)…read more The half marathon event was an awesome event. -online registration was quick and easy -confirmation came right away -email information came regularly -bib pick up was a little downer -start line was conveniently located on Venice Beach -route was easily marked with lots of police escorts -great support from the water stations -nice bands along the way to entertain -finish line was nicely located downhill -lots of shuttle buses to return to the start line -AWESOME Medal Yay for my finish at 1:58, and I definitely plan to return next year Give the option for bib pick up in the morning of the race.

Review #1500 My +1…read moreand I made the early morning trek from south OC to Alamitos Beach in order to cheer for the Special Olympics World Games triathletes. We met with Jennifer T. for our Yelp goody bags while meeting up with fellow Yelpers. We made our way down to the beach as they started the first portion of the triathlon: swim. We were amazed and inspired by these athletes as they swam, biked, and ran to the finish. We were at the finish line as Noah Dellas (Team USA) became the first person to ever win a gold medal in Triathlon at the Special Olympics World Games. It was fantastic and the energy was amazing. All eyes were on the top medal finishers and it was great to see Team USA take home gold! Thanks to Yelp LA, Katie B., and Jennifer T. for setting up cheer squads for the Special Olympics. Congratulations to all the athletes and I wish them luck in the rest of their events this week. There are Special Olympics World Games events happening around LA all week, so check them out as it has been a while since LA has hosted an Olympics.

My second Half…read more Supporting the Special Olympics, especially with respect to the upcoming 2015 World Summer Games in Los Angeles, made me feel great. But just getting out-of-doors and into the crisp, early morning air, just being surrounded by other early risers anxious to rack up some mileage is motivation enough. You see, what I've found is that morning people, they're different: they're more courteous, more polite, encouraging. Morning people smile, and they have no reservations about offering an abundance of "good morning's" to those around them. This scenic run--in the heart of downtown Long Beach, along the Shoreline Marina and across from the majestic Queen Mary--it was a good morning as well, completely as expected: exhilarating, fun-filled, refreshing! But really, this race had no choice. I mean, we ran ocean side, up and down sandy Alamitos Beach, with many other runners, bikers, and walkers also enjoying the smiling sun and the fresh ocean air. Added, this race was very well organized: streets were blocked off and monitored by the Long Beach Police Department, parking (a $10 fee) was directly adjacent to the expo and early check-in, water stations were manned and frequent during the race, and medical stations were positioned, prepared, and even mobile! (It was very cool to race along Shoreline Drive without a car in sight.) The effort put into this event was evident, and easily this will be a run I look forward to again next year! My final time -- 02:52:35 My place -- 102 out of 131 runners, 9 of 11 in my class. =]

A free 2 hour workout run by the Spartan race group to give you a taste of what you can expect from…read morea spartan race. There were tons of burpees, squats, push up, lunges, & laps around the track. The workout was basic enough for fitness beginners to get through but also challenging enough for people at an experience fitness level. There were about 500 people on the football field at redondo high with 8 trainers/coach going around letting everyone know the next exercise coming up. After the workout they had a drawing & two people won a free Spartan race, there was an after party at the near by road runner shoe store with free beer & a $10 off coupon for anything in the store. For the large workout events like this is suggest showing up an hour before the start time since the check in process take a while. This event started at 9, we showed up at 8:30 & it took 50 minutes to finally get checked in, but then they ran out of shirts. But other than the long check in issue the workout event was a great time.

This really was a once in a lifetime experience. We were credentialed Special Olympics volunteers…read moreand worked 4 separate dates during the World Games. We were in and around McCarthy Quad and Healthy Athletes tents and festival at USC conducting a Special Olympics Athlete Survey. In only 4 days, I met more athletes, coaches, translators, trainers, family/friends from around the globe than I ever have in any period of time during my life. It was an absolutely fantastic way of helping to collect important info from these incredible athletes. Working beside my son was so much fun, and watching his patience and ability to work with the athletes to complete the surveys brought me so much joy. Seeing how so many of the athletes were so appreciative to have their voices heard and participate in such a special, first ever to be done, survey was heartwarming. As an athlete myself having the opportunity to meet and speak with so many fascinating people from so many different countries, even despite the very obvious language barrier that presents itself when working any global event, was very rewarding. I would not take back those 4 days for anything in this world. I also believe it was such a great experience for my son to take part in during his summer vacation. Teaching our children to give back and how to make an impactful difference from a young age is extremely important. Here are some of the countries I had the pleasure of working with: Puerto Rico, Barbados, Canada, USA, Egypt, Finland, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Peru, China, Namibia, Nigeria, Spain, Denmark, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Brazil, Kenya, Dominica, Morocco and more. Out of the above listed countries I have only traveled within Canada, Spain, and Morocco so meeting so many people from so many other countries was so much fun to experience in my hometown. I'd highly, highly suggest choosing Special Olympics as a positive forum to give back to. It's such a rewarding experience and the athletes absolutely love every minute of your support, encouragement, smiles and high fives! So fortunate to have been a part of this experience.

Since hearing that LA was going to host the Special Olympics World Games, we were excited about…read moreattending. We weren't able to attend the Opening Ceremony though. From the news coverage, it looked like we missed an awesome event. Would have loved to see the parade of nations! The next day, we made up for it by going to the LA Convention Center (South Hall) for the table tennis, badminton & bocce games. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/special-olympics-world-games-los-angeles-2015-los-angeles#psiATaFSJcjNUchi_TioFA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/special-olympics-world-games-los-angeles-2015-los-angeles#ynjHuKa2fyAK7fi7vQZspQ http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/special-olympics-world-games-los-angeles-2015-los-angeles#kCh7v4I8wNeS564inlmAYw (Sidenote: My husband loves table tennis and plays tourneys at work. Team Name- "Big Paddles, Small Balls") All three sports were in divided sections in the hall. Plenty of room for all the spectators & participants. Had fun mingling with the athletes & delegations from all over! Sat with Moroccans at the table tennis games surrounded by team members from Senegal, Mongolia, Egypt, Qatar, Bangladesh and other countries. Chatted with a coach from Curacao while my husband was in the Toyota game booth line to win a special edition water bottle. Toyota also had a display car that everyone was invited to help decorate. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/special-olympics-world-games-los-angeles-2015-los-angeles#x-DjqWs99iVSKMwWq2GZng I added this in for my city's guests from Germany. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/special-olympics-world-games-los-angeles-2015-los-angeles#n9z-ZHSYZ0Fs5tAcleApWw Some lovely folks from the UK were kind enough to explain the game of bocce to me. Since it was Sunday, we found free street parking 3 blocks to the east of the venue. There were also lots priced from $5-$15 nearby. Foodwise, there was a cafe in the hall which had some pretty decent offerings and a Groundworks organic coffee stand on the same level. I love Groundworks and scurried right over for a blended iced coffee. Admission- free! Here's the homepage for the event- http://www.la2015.org/ And, the schedule (venues, games & entertainment)- http://www.la2015.org/schedule The games are on until August 2nd. Come cheer on the athletes and welcome the delegations to our wonderful SoCal!

I had an absolutely amazing time! What a great way to start your day on Thanksgiving! Getting in…read moremiles/steps before stuffing your face. It was great to be surrounded by such positive energy and enthusiasm. Everyone went at their own pace. So there was no pressure to over exert yourself. And runners were allowed to go first so they could move quickly without interference. It was fun to see ppl in various costumes and I even ran into our Yelp Community manager Margaret who noticed my Yelp swag water bottle! I plan to make this a yearly tradition from henceforth!

I've always wanted to do the Turkey Trot at the Rose Bowl but never had the chance. FINALLY, this…read moreyear was my year! I had soo much fun. It it a rough 3 miles and I finished it. My legs were killing me the next day! But it was such a great experience and I was able to do it with my best friend! It was nice to be around so many people with their friends and family! Can't wait for next years 5k!

All runs are generally for charity, so I run…read more Even better, the iCureMelanoma 5K was in Fullerton and very local, so I ran. As far as the event, I was actually pretty impressed with the abundance of vendors: Medii Kitchen, Zpizza, Snail's Pace, Sports Clips, Mother's Market & Kitchen, The Butchery, The Vitamin Shoppe, and Chick-fil-A, to name very few. Why, even S.W.A.T. was there in support! And the goodie bag, completely full: CeraVe, Eucerin, and Dove samples; and coupons for Hopscotch, Matador Cantina, The Vitamin Shoppe, Wow! Nutrition, TLC Mobile Spray Tanning, Medii Kitchen, The Butchery, Snail's Pace, Muscle Milk, etc. (The list lengthens.) It seemed as though the locals really pull for this event, really stand by it. Pride, you know? And that's the beauty: everyone coming together in support of a cause. Again, why I run. There are two 5K runs, by the way: the "Competitive" and the "Open." If your mile is 9-minutes or less, you are welcomed to run the Competitive. Everyone else--including strollers, walkers, and kids--race the Open an hour later. In between runs, you're not only afforded extra time to enjoy the event's freebies (Mother's Market's kale salad and The Butchery's BBQ chicken were delicious!) but there was also a dove release ceremony--very beautiful and touching--families and friends releasing doves in the name of hope. The run was refreshing as well: beginning at Laguna Road Elementary School, hopping onto the Juanita Cooke Greenbelt & Trail, and then looping around Laguna Lake before heading back. I had never before explored this area of Fullerton, so the run became somewhat adventurous. After now having been, I'm certainly returning. So, then, why the 3-star? Again, I run for charity. And if only a T-shirt comes with registration, that's fine. If there are no medals, fine. My problem, however, is that this event promised "medals" for all finishers. Again, that's great. But you cannot promise medals, and then distribute tags (see photo): http://raceshed.com/coupons/icuremelanoma-5k/. The medals, if they're offered, make such a difference: that's why they're called "bling," right? Runners are so proud of them. But upon the heals of such a great event, one for such a worthy cause, the tags--the ones touted as "medals"--were disheartening. I would rather the event had possibly called them "awards" instead, or maybe not even had them at all. I would have been happier to not have expected anything. It just wasn't the memory I wanted to leave with. That said, Fullerton, this was a fun run! But let's not stop there. Let's have another! My time: 31:08. Overall place: 11.9% =]

For the last two years my husband and I have journeyed down to southern CA for a one day 5K event:…read morethe iCureMelanoma 5K in Fullerton. This fundraising event holds a special place in the hearts of my family. We lost my cousin, Erik Halonen, to melanoma in 2014, the first year we participated in the run. That same year our cousin Staci took 1st place for women in the competitive run. They have an early competitive run, and then a walk/run that starts an hour after that. No matter which time you're run begins, be sure to get there early because parking is limited (pssst - carpool if you can!) Lots of vendors are passing out samples and coupons and sunscreen. Dermatologists will also schedule free cancer screenings for registered participants the day before the event. Everything about this is geared toward a healthier today AND healthier tomorrow. The run was well-organized and finishers receive a medal as they cross the finish line. It was a lot of fun and we look forward to participating for many years to come. Registered teams also get custom shirts with your team name. Go,Team Erik! xoxox We love and miss you everyday.

A comfortably easy run through and around Downtown Anaheim, starting and ending upon West Center…read moreStreet Promenade, is a great way to start a your morning. If you're local, it's an easy drive to get to the event, and as far as parking goes--and if you've been to Downtown Anaheim before, you know--there's a parking structure right there waiting for you. So there's no worries. The event's expo and packet pick-up is brimming with vendors and live music, the atmosphere's relaxed, and everyone's having fun. Of course, there are shirts available for all registrants, and, my motivation, a nice-looking medal awaiting you as you cross that finish line. Strollers, dogs, and even walkers are all encouraged to come out and get some sunshine!

I'm an Downtown Anaheim local since 1985 and Downtown Anaheim and she has been good to me and a bad…read moregirl too. Since I first moved here by chance in 85' I felt a kinship in Anaheim with the town I grew up in in Colorado. A very Hispanic laden community, with old roots and and a good community. A long history and a hardworking people. I've seen my Downtown Anaheim in some bad days and some great shining days too. And today she is shining more and more for all to see. She was born of Germanic roots in 1857 and the the farmers quickly found the groundwater and soil suitable for the grapes they grew and later the oranges that made OC famous came into playand Anaheim was central. The proud Mexican influence in Anaheim has always been present. From the early settlers and migrants providing labor to its now diverse community that features a great many Hispanic businesses and restaurants throughout Anaheim and neighboring communities. Hispanics now make up 53% of Anaheim's 330,000 population. If you cant find some good south of the border food here you are severely retarded. Mi Barrio is el Centro Anaheim. Change of faces for downtown Anaheim: In the 70's they started demolishing most of the original downtown (shame - shame) Anaheim. But a few old places survived and are being reclaimed. The old Sunkist station train depot a block away from me is now a day care center. The down town district on Center street once the mightiest business district in OC had become a drug infested, slum by the mid 80's. It was bars and pay by the hour motels then. But that has long been torn down and replaced with condos, houses, apartments, a community center and a senior center. The Packard building is now home to Umami Burgers and the Anaheim Brewery. The Sunkist Building where I used to get my Ice cheap for 25+ years will soon be the venue for new restaurants and shops. The New Downtown: So after like 20ish years or so the new downtown Anaheim Promenade as well as being the home to Sprint, Wells Farge SCI, Disney Travel, Anaheim Ice, and the city's civic offices. Is now the new "Vegan Triangle" with the Gypsy Den, 118 Degrees, and Healthy Junk as well as a small farmers market on Thursdays. But that's not all the promenade has to offer. A select bunch of new businesses from clothes to men's grooming to jewelery now line the street. Additionally it's the host to carnivals, art exhibitions, antique/craft fairs, holiday activities, and even a great beer fest. Disney Dominance: Shortly after its emergence in 1955 Disney has had a strong economic and political dominance in Anaheim. The world famous Disneyland provides 23,000 jobs to locals and helps generate a gazillion dollars for Anaheim while not paying a red cent of local taxes themselves. Just think of the cash flow $100 a ticket + $150 per guest spending x 17 million guests a year x 7.75% tax = at least $500 a year! or maybe more LOL. We're getting hosed while D-land makes a killing. Whats in store for Down Town Anaheim: Roscoe's Chicken & waffles is coming as is the Earl of Sandwich but closer to d-land. And the Sunkist building will soon be finished and occupied. A beer garden? So I guess I'll have to stay here a little while longer and see what else she has to offer.

I have been telling my girlfriend about the World Famous Pumpkin Races for almost 2 years now,…read moreyesterday (10-28-2012) our schedules were finally right and we were able to go together. If you know about the Pumpkin Races chances are you are a local and know where to park, so no matter the crowd you will be able to find a spot to park your Beach cruiser, skateboard or your car. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at the World famous Pumpkin Races and attempted to check-in and there was no World Famous Pumpkin Races on Yelp, THE INJUSTICE, and THE SHAME. What do you need to know about the Pumpkin Races is that it is all about the South Bay and the South Bay lifestyle. I will try and describe it for you. The Pumpkin Races take place on a Manhattan Beach Blvd a large hill that leads towards the Manhattan Beach Pier. There is a pumpkin festival where you can go and experience everything pumpkin. You can visit stands of the Surf rider Foundation, Ice Cream, Pumpkin this or Pumpkin that, you can enter a pumpkin to race same day, you can decorate your pumpkin instead a small village dedicated to sprucing up your pumpkin. The rules are very simple. You must build a pumpkin with wheels and the base of the pumpkin has to be natural and able to support the getup that you build, you can decorate your pumpkin in any fashion you want. You cannot weigh you pumpkin down so it will go straight or faster because if you are caught cheating you pumpkin will be moved to a body chalk outline and a referee with a Gallagher sized mallet will come out and smash you pumpkin into 1,000 pieces as the crowd cheers. If you get caught pushing off at the start of the race again your will pumpkin will be given a death sentence. The goal of the pumpkin races is to have your pumpkin go about 75 feet and hit the barrier first in order to move onto the next round. The barrier is protected by referees holding padding to prevent your pumpkin from hitting the barriers at top pumpkin speed. The referees are great who run this. They keep the crowd entertained and cheering prompting a sing along and dancing. The pumpkin races have an area for children to race and for adults to race, it is all about the fun, the pumpkin, racing and South Bay living. If you are in the area next year make sure you stop by and check it out and support local South Bay businesses.

Some people carve pumpkins…read more Some people build cannons and catapults and launch them as far as they can. And then some people mount them on wheels and roll them downhill like it's a soapbox racer or an entrant in Bring Your Own Big Wheel. The good folks of Manhattan Beach are of the latter school. The Pumpkin Races are fun, more family-oriented. I would say it's a novelty just for the kids, but it's more a city tradition, as silly as it seems to outsiders. The official rules state that you must create a vehicle using one pumpkin and individual axles, no Tonka trucks or other store-bought chassis, no engines, pyrotechnics, or explosives. The pumpkins are released down hill with gravity doing all the work. No pushing allowed. Cheater vehicles get smash by the referee using a giant wooden mallet. Some people cheat almost specifically to get smashed or just because it's funny to see a pumpkin suddenly pop out booster rockets and propel down hill. They know they're not going to win, so why not have fun and let the mob chant, "Smash it! Smash it! Smash it!"