The 19th running of the Women's Fitness Festival event was held on June 2, 2024, with a 5K, 10K,…read morekid's run, and adaptive runners included. This was my 7th time running this (2011-2013, 2015, 2017, and 2018), mostly the 5K distance except for one year where I completed the 10K race. First post-pandemic participation for me. Over the years the sponsors have changed, the 10K route was added, the half marathon distance was canceled, the women-only theme stayed, the brand/style of technical shirt changed, and a medal for participants became available starting in 2015. The location remains around the Capitol, and beneficiary is WEAVE (Women Escaping A Violent Environment). The email for participants regarding packet pickup, traffic/parking notes, and race-day closures did not have "Women's Fitness Festival" in the subject line. I also noticed that while the parking notes said the Capitol Garage had no race-day parking this year, the "Directions" section still navigated to the Capitol Garage. Packet pickup was held at Fleet Feet Sacramento and was available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday there, or race morning at 9th and Capitol. This was well-organized and straightforward with bibs by distance and last name, tech shirt, and pins. No other swag bag. The color of the shirt this year was a berry purple, but the cut was a crew neck (versus V-neck), and something about the seams at the shoulders fell funny on me, where they bunch up. A different brand...back in 2011 the shirts were Nike Dri-fit! Volunteers could get $15 credit/voucher toward Fleet Feet. For 2024, due to other events, the usual Capitol Garage on 10th and L was not available for parking. Street parking meters (except Old Sac) are free on Sundays, but no parking on L or N Streets around Capitol Park. It was suggested that you arrive 1 hour early, take the light rail, or park at a parking garage located at 1500 10th Street (between O & P across from the California Museum, with a $3 flat rate. With only a single lane to enter the garage, this was a bottleneck -- also a lot of construction on the 9th street/West side of the Capitol. Plenty of portable bathrooms near the start/finish, but I didn't see any near the aid station. I saw one arrowed sign pointing from the Capitol to the Start Line, but you really had to be listening to the emcee to be on the correct side of the Start Line. Adaptive runners went first, and the 5K and 10K started together instead of staggered starts, with no corrals by pace. The kid's race was last as a shorter out and back. 7:30 AM start, but it was warm June weather. On the course itself, I didn't realize that there were two "lanes," with the right lane meant for the 10K runners. Volunteers could tell 5K runners with blue bibs and 10K runners with their orange bibs. The one aid station I noticed had only water and no electrolytes. 5Kers did one loop of the course, and 10Kers did two loops. When it got close to the end, volunteers had to yell for 5K runners to hang left to the finish line, and 10K runners to hang right to start their second loop. A megaphone might have been better. The 10K leader did have the lead bike to assist her in getting through the middle-rear pack of 5Kers. Medals at the finish line, Giggle & Riot photobooth, and the Kaiser Thrive Pavilion had passports where if you visited at least 8 booths, you could get a clear fanny/waist pack. At their booths themselves there were other themed freebies like stress balls, measuring spoons, snack containers, sunglasses, sunscreen, handouts for lifestyle management, and even an at-home colon cancer stool test kit you can mail in. It was neat to learn about breast health, blood pressure, heart/stroke, pediatrics, child seat safety, etc. Fleet Feet also had its own arched area, and for breakfast, you could get a bowl of granola with oat milk, strawberries, and bananas. Water and Zico chocolate coconut water were also available. Mimosa garden admittance with wristband and tearing off the bottom of your bib. At the rest of the race expo, there were other vendors such as Buffalo Running Chips, Sacfit running/walking club, Urban Cow 5K/Half, local yoga studio, Kangen water, trufru, Built Bar, Menowell samples, CHP, and more, if you're a spin-the-wheel for a prize kind of person. Timing is provided by Capitol Road Race Management, and free race photos and media are available along with a digital finisher certificate on Athlinks.com.

I haven't participated in the Women's Fitness Festival (sponsored by Kaiser Permanente in several…read moreyears. It was so fun to be there again with my sister. All in all extremely well done and enjoyable. Here are just a few suggestions for the future: One bathroom stop mid-route would be helpful We missed the start of the race as it was not clearly announced To have course monitors create a separate lane for the serious runners. Many times we saw a runner attempting to weave through the crowds. I could see the look of frustration on their faces. What we appreciated: The breakfast offered oat milk (yay for us non-dairy folks) KP Thrive did an amazing job of providing useful health info & tips. There were some nice giveaways too.

The 2020 Running of the Elk (ROTE) originally had new routes planned centralized at Elk Grove's new…read moreDistrict56 Civic Center area. I had signed up in February for the 5K race initially scheduled for Sunday, April 5th to mark my 6-month return to Orangetheory and also my company wellness program would cover registration costs. Around mid-March, the race organizers had decided to reschedule the race to Sunday, June 21st (Father's Day) due to COVID-19 and avoiding large groups from coming together. On June 1st, the 2020 ROTE was converted to a Virtual Run. Proceeds still benefitted the Elk Grove Youth Sports Foundation and most expenses were prepaid (shirts, bibs, medals) so all that you had to do was sign up, run/walk your distance (Kids 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon race) on or before Friday, July 31st. Run anytime and anywhere you choose. Proof of completion (virtual participation finish time) submitted through Google Form (no GPS, proof via Strava, etc. required, sort of an honor system) and encouraged to tag any photos on social media as #ROTEVirtual2020. On Saturday, August 8th, volunteers set up at Fleet Feet Elk Grove from 11am-3pm the Post Run Celebration to pick up the microfiber technical shirt (cotton for kids), really awesome finisher's medal, and swag bag. If you placed in your age division you got an additional medal, standings published for those entrants who submitted. This part went smoothly and was pretty convenient, not much different from packet pickup at a normal race, or a vendor/expo booth. I've done a few virtual races before (pre-pandemic) to support non-local organizations or if they had a cool race theme/swag. The hardest part was actually lacing up and running outdoors with a mask (pre-fires) after slacking on fitness routines during this weird time. My last actual race was the Elk Grove Gobble Wobble 5K on Thanksgiving Day -- the December Running of the Elves got rained out and I also did that virtually/remotely, so this may be the new norm for the rest of the year. #runningisnotcanceled

Running of the Elk is a small local race in Elk Grove. There's a 5k, 10k, half marathon and a kids…read morerun. The 10k and half marathon starts at the same time and the 5k starts afterwards. The 10k and half marathon run on the same route for a few miles and eventually splits up. I did the half marathon. It's a very family friendly event and I saw a lot of families doing 10ks and even half marathons together! Kids these days are so fit. I highly recommend to carry water with you during the race. For the first time during one of my half marathons, I ran out of water. There's not that many water stations. This route does not have much shade and it's in spring so it can get warm. The water station only has water and Gatorade, no food. The Gatorade was kind of diluted but it was better than nothing. The course starts at Long Leaf Drive, through the Automall, neighborhoods, streets, and trails. This is my first time running in Elk Grove. The course had so much variety that enabled me to explore Elk Grove on foot. It's a beautiful city. I would definitely do this half marathon again! The First Aid station is mobile-- There are bikers who ride back and forth through the course carrying a first aid kit. The finisher area made up for the lack of fuel stations and limited water stations during the course. They serve pancakes here! There's plenty of refreshments from fruit, Gatorade, granola bars, to bagels. The kids area has a bounce house, popcorn, and cotton candy. Kaiser also has complimentary massages. The wait is long so put your name down as soon as you finish.

We just ran the Rock the 80's race in Elk Grove and had a blast. We couldn't make the Saturday…read morebib/packet pick-up, so we went in early on Sunday before the race. We walked right up to the table and were handed our bibs & t-shirts. Parking was free and plentiful. They were playing popular 80s tunes before the race. We were one big giant sea of stretching neon green & pink. There was a pretty long line for the port-o-potties but someone pointed out 3 others on the other side of the lot and that seemed to ease up the congestion a bit. I have never seen a more empty starting line. We were just all spread out chatting and suddenly they asked us to move up, get ready and bam! Off we went. There was just the right amount of people that you could easily move into your own space and find your groove. The route was clearly marked and I couldn't help but smile as Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde directed traffic and cheered us on throughout the ultra flat course. Hearing your name being called out as your cross the finish line was oober cool. They had plenty of water, gatorade & goo stops. After the race, they had bananas, oranges & bagels. You will not find a more radical medal. Did I have a totally awesome time? Yes. Will I be back next year, heck yes I will.

I ran 3 races under A Change of Pace so far: Lucky Run, Capital City Classic, and Davis Moonlight…read moreRace. My main motivation to run didn't start out as wanting to do more physical exercise. It was for the Tour de Fit medal. If you run 3 of the 4 races, you get a medal. I guess you can say it's a glorified participation medal. Even so, I earned it! I mean I'm not going to get any half marathon/marathon medals anytime soon, so I aimed to earn this one. There are two series for the Tour de Fit. I finished part one and I'm now looking forward to part two, where I will run 3 more races to earn another medal!

It was super organized and fun. Was a great experience. Went and completed it with friends.read more

So we just finished our spartan weekend , and we are now literally sitting in our car stuck in a…read moredisorganized , jam packed, and non moving traffic line ! I have blisters on nearly every toe and I can feel them oozing. I have some real nice large bruises forming on both my knees, legs , elbows, arms and back. I'm covered in mud and dirt and grass. It's in my hair , my ears, between my teeth, under my nails , seriously just all over ! But guess what? I paid for this !!!! That being said , the Spartan race is a fun and challenging event best experienced with a team of your best pals! The race courses itself is well organized with varying degrees of difficulty throughout. Spartan organizers love to test people's upper body strength and your willingness to jump into cold muddy waters ! There are lots of walls to jump over ,bucket of heavy rocks to carry over hills, barb wire crawls that go that seem to on forever , miles of hills full of pot holes , rocks. and slippery mud to climb ! Fun right ! Well it is when you're with your friends . And even if you are doing it alone , everyone participating is so friendly and helpful. There is always someone around to give you a boost when you need it . It's the Spartan way ! The many volunteers that help out with registration and checking in are really supportive and guides you in the right direction if you're lost. My favorite volunteers are one that hangs the medal on your neck after you cross the finish line. That moment feels so good ! My second favorite are the people handing out bananas and water at the end of the race! The Spartan festival grounds is always high energy and positive. Overall they are well organized... except the parking situation. The need more traffic directors to get people out after the race . Anyway , Bring ID for registration. Bring cash for bag check ins. Lots of port a pottys on the grounds . Always check Groupon for spartan deals . Don't forget to stretch before and after your race . Have fun Spartans. AROo!

Formerly known as EGRun4Hunger, this 10K & 5K Run/Walk and Kids Run used to be held at Elk Grove…read moreRegional Park, benefitting Elk Grove Food Bank Services. I ran the 5K back in 2018, and the 5K Run4Independence for 2024. Elk Grove Food Bank is still one of the nonprofit charitable organizations supported, but also for 2024 was Al-Misbaah, put on by Laguna Sunrise Rotary Club. Packet Pickup was held at Fleet Feet Elk Grove (Elk Grove Blvd) from 10am-6pm on July 3rd only, you could get either a cotton shirt or technical shirt (upcharge) with registration. Bibs chipped for timing, pins provided and the only swag was some coupons for free Petite Patty Sundaes at Leatherby's. Race-day pickup started at 6:30AM. I overheard that road closures would start as early at 6:45AM. We were suggested to arrive at least 45 minutes early to allow for parking. The race started/ended at District56/Elk Grove Aquatics Center, off of Big Horn. To beat the Independence Day heat, race start times were moved up half an hour, with the kid's 1/4-mile and 1/2-mile runs going first around 7:30AM. The 5K and 10K runners started together at 8:05AM, with some signage to attempt lining up by pace. However, most people were staying in the shade until it was time to line up. Before the race started, they had the national anthem and even a Zumba demo to pump people up, and someone from KCRA3 was the emcee. Some poles to avoid in the parking lot at the beginning of the course, but marked with cones and course monitors (volunteers and EGPD) were good. Mile markers were A-frames. The course took us mostly through the Elk Grove Auto Mall, which unfortunately did not offer very much shade at that time of morning, and a frontage road parallel to Highway 99. For the 5K course, there was one aid/water station. At the 5K/10K course split/fork, it was verbal (I don't remember if there was signage too) to let runners know that 5Kers turned right and 10Kers proceeded straight (was not exactly a double loop of the 5K). I got a unisex t-shirt and an impressive coaster-sized color finisher medal. Post-race had bananas and mandarins, ice cold water bottles, a free photo booth (@photobooth.fairy), and other vendors/sponsors such as Your Home Assistant, In-Shape Family Fitness, The Park at Laguna Springs, and I also saw free samples of LMNT hydration packets, spin wheels for freebies like stress balls, fans, water bottles, protein/granola bars, stickers, American flags, etc. Other promoted races were Running of the Elk, Urban Cow, Apple Hill, and Running with the Cops. I didn't see if there were porta-potties, but there was only one out of two functioning stalls in the women's restroom near the District56 mural. Not sure if the Cafe or other buildings were unlocked/open for public restroom use as well. Parking did have traffic directors as well as a food truck (Balance Me Out mobile coffee trailer), and the Rotary Club was making pancakes too. Race results were available same-day via Athlinks. I did not check if there were also official race photos along the course.

Background: The race is an annual event organized by Golden…read moreValley Harriers- a Davis running club. It's an international exchange race with their sister city, Inuyama, Japan and several runners from Inuyama came to run the race. This explains their race logo, which is the Japanese character for RUN in calligraphy. Money raised is given to local running programs including the local high schools. Used shoes were also collected for the Short Term Emergency Aid Committee. Parking was not an issue. It was a smaller race- less than a 1,000 runners. The registration was $27, which included a tech t-shirt. The race was held at the Davis Commons. Taiko drummers were present at the beginning of the race. The course was narrow at some parts, but I'm glad it was well shaded. Afterwards, Whole Foods Market provided runners with a light breakfast. Race results were posted shortly after the race as well as photos, which you can download for free. It was an enjoyable race overall.

My third year running the Labor Day races, but the first time at the 10K distance! My running buddy…read morewon two comped race registrations from a Whole Foods raffle so she asked me to join her in the 10K. I always love the tech shirt designs and the race organization in general. The construction of the Davis Commons parking lot was a drag, with the race start/finish moved from its original spot by Bath and Body works. I didn't have a good view of the taiko drummers or hear the announcer recognize the runners from Japan. The 10K started before the 5Kers but the start lineup by pace was still crowded along the bike path. Garbage truck ahead of us on the residential route along Cowell was...challenging olfactory-wise, as was the stretch past Albany where the birds nest and...defecate. However, the new solar apartments was a nice way to cross Drummond to get over to Willow Creek Park. I'm kind of sad we didn't use the I-80 pedestrian overpass from there though. Volunteers were amazingly peppy. The 5K leaders totally passed me up before the course split. I was pretty slow paced since by the time I crossed the finish line, the kiddies were lined up for the start of their race. D'oh! The Whole Foods-provided breakfast (yogurt, cereal, fruit, etc.) never disappoints, as well as coupons for 2 for 1 deli sandwiches or a free box of Popsicles. I didn't win the random bib number raffles though. A good way to spend the holiday...getting up early to drive to the city I work in, to run 6.2 miles...haha.

Proceeds of Elk Grove Gobble Wobble benefit Chicks In Crisis, a local non-profit organization that…read moreprovides supplies and other resources to young and low-income parents to reduce the number of infants entering foster care. I did the 5k and if you're an Elk Grove resident I recommend doing this event because it was kinda surreal being on Laguna/Bond Rd. on foot with zero cars on it ahahah (IYKYK on how much car traffic these particular roads get). Big props to the big EG police presence for security; there was at least one police officer stationed at every quarter mile. I felt very safe. I'd say about 70% of participants walked the course while the rest jogged. A few dog walkers. I docked a star because checking in at the event was, pun-intended, wobbly. Check-in tent wasn't clearly designated (no signage and I only knew that it was the check-in area because there were long lines *for something*). There were two lines and I went to the wrong one (no signage differentiating the two) as there is a line for those who specifically registered a week or more before the event (I registered a few days prior to the event). Ample parking! Definitely won't have trouble finding a spot.

2024 Gobble Wobble!…read more I registered in August for the in-person 5K (Adult) for $30, my 7th time participating in this run/road race. They also had a virtual option for registration. Chicks in Crisis Racing for Babies Outreach mobile unit delivers emergency essentials like diapers, formula, food, hygiene products, and baby items to underprivileged and underserved communities. Three different days (Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) ahead of the race to pickup bib/swag bag/packets at Chicks in Crisis ranch. Certain shirt sizes (Small, Medium) came in a light gray long-sleeve technical shirt, while all others were a dark Barbie-esque hot pink long-sleeve technical shirt (unisex). After the national anthem and a Zumba warmup, the kids' 1/4 mile fun run (untimed) was at 9:00 AM, and the 5K run (timed) started at 9:15 AM. Family friendly, rain or shine...kids, dogs, strollers. I noticed one water station along the frontage road before the trail to the Highway 99 overpass. I did not see mile marker 1, but did see mile marker 2 before the part of the trail that follows the creek back to Longleaf Drive. Did not see mile marker 3 before the finish. These seemed like metal yard stake signs, not A-frames or taller banners. For the bib chips to count your time, you had to make sure to run through/beneath the metal arches at the finish. The afterparty had vendor booths, a kids fun zone, raffles, refreshments, food and music. I got my medal at the finish line, mandarins, bananas, and bottles of water. The photo booth was self-operating, and official race photos at the finish line are available as well as a finisher certificate from On Your Mark Events. I also saw other booths for Colorstreet nails, craft coffee, real estate, and other sponsors.

Good if you want to experience the beer festival but not so much if you're here to experience a…read morerace. The race itself was poorly organized and executed. There are a few different distances to choose from: half marathon, 10k, and 5k, and a 1-mile which is differentiated by the bib color. The start times for each are not staggered enough so there is a lot of overlapping between the different distances which all go on the same course at some point. It was really confusing as there were no arrows and no mile markers. Some runners ran the wrong way and ended up doing more miles because the course was not clearly marked. There was a 1 miler that goes around the finish line and the course was to go the opposite way of the finish line; it was really confusing and I almost ran the wrong way to follow them as I finished. There were volunteers out there that would help guide the runners to the correct direction based on the bib. Some volunteers were great in guiding, others not so helpful so it was really confusing on which way to go. I did the half marathon. It's stroller friendly so I ran it with a double stroller. There is a part that is a bit bumpy by the trail next to the DGS building but it was short. I did enjoy the route that this half marathon offered. It was different than the usual course around Sacramento. The course goes towards Drake, Old Sacramento, and Discovery Park. Some areas are a bit iffy so on a regular day, I don't usually run in those areas so it was nice being able to experience it. There is a bit of looping to make up miles. The courses are not closed so they'll be other runners, bikers, and walkers on the course. It would have been nice to have signs out for a special event since there were some aggressive bikers at Discovery Park. There are also no road closures since the race isn't big enough. The race amenities were advertised as way more glamourous than they really are. The customizable bibs just have a blank spot for you to write on. The 7 oz tasting glass was plastic. There's free race photos but I only saw the photographer once at the start line. This is the first race I've done (and I've done many) that did not provide any food or even a water bottle post-race. There was no water at all at the finish and only sparking water if you went in the beer garden. Speaking of water, the aid stations ran out of cups so runners had to waterfall for a gulp of water. This was a first for me. I like their mission of supporting the local beer community and drinking locally but being built around a race, it was not carried out very well. I don't think I'll do this race again unless the weather is good and I'm wanting to do a half marathon with the stroller.