Bottom Line: An awesome triathlon…read more I have had the chance to participate in this event a few times now and it was bigger than I thought it was going to be. Very professionally run but still relatively casual and fun. The venues for all three portions is awesome. The bike leg is longer than most other Tri's that I have done so it definitely benefits bikers, at least for the sprint. Great expo afterwards, lots of community support... I highly recommend this event!!

(26th Half, 2015)…read more Elite Sports, its races included in the CA Half series and featuring around Ventura County, has a challenge, the Endurance Challenge: Complete ESCA events in the same calendar year, and your rewards are... ​​** 2 Events (same Distance) Half, 5k or 10k--Custom Club tech shirt. **** 4 Events (same Distance) Half, 5k or 10k--Runner's hat, ditty bag, and water bottle. ****** 6 Events (same Distance) Half, 5k or 10k--Large gear bag with Series logo. ******* 7 Events (same Distance) Half, 5k or 10k--Special Season finale medal presented at Holly Jolly Half in December! So that's why I'm here at the Holly Jolly Half and to receive my Endurance Challenge medal, one that I've worked toward for the entire year: 1. Camarillo Half (http://www.yelp.com/biz/camarillo-marathon-camarillo?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3) 2. West Hills Half (http://www.yelp.com/biz/west-hills-half-marathon-5k-10k-los-angeles?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3) 3. Seaside Half (http://www.yelp.com/biz/seaside-half-marathon-5k-10k-ventura?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3) 4. Shoreline Half (http://www.yelp.com/biz/shoreline-half-marathon-ventura?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3) 5. Arroyo Creek Half (http://www.yelp.com/biz/arroyo-creek-half-marathon-5k-10k-simi-valley?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3) 6. Harvest Half (which was sadly cancelled, but runners received credit for the finale medal anyway.) 7. Holly Jolly Half With the exception of the Arroyo Creek Half, all medals denoted each of the races. (Since the Halfs cost more, the coinciding medal, in my opinion, should stand on its own and not include the 5K and 10K runs.) However, the runs themselves are on the cheaper side, running about $60-$70 for the Halfs, so I just look the other way. I will say that the runs themselves aren't that entertaining, aren't as scenic as I'd like; but, again, they're easier on the wallet. If you're running the Ojai Half, though, it really is gorgeous and completely worth price. (I ran it in 2014: http://www.yelp.com/biz/ojai-half-marathon-5k-and-10k-ojai?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3). The Endurance Challenge medal is a bit disappointing as well, anticlimactic; although the Gear Bag--received after running six events--is pretty cool. Nevertheless, Elite Sports' Halfs are included in the CA Half Series, and that's why I'd also run them, pushing myself to clear 20 Halfs for the year. All said and run, I'm unsure as to whether or not I would chase the Endurance Challenge again. I would just as soon pay a bit more for a more significant end-of-the-year series medal. (Again, Ojai would be the exception.) We'll see. Elite Sports looks as though it is growing. I'll keep my eyes open.

This race was close to home and super cheap. It was a smaller scale race, not your big advertised…read morekinda of race. Cost for the race was $45 and up until October it was still under $80 for the half marathon. Website was easy to navigate through and gave all pertinent information. Packet pickup was Saturday or on race day. You received a tech tshirt and a finishers medal for completing the race. Post race included bagels, oranges, water and electrolyte drink, awards for the top 3 in each category, awards for best costume and two food trucks (The Grilled Cheese truck and the ElaBrew Coffee truck). Course was mostly flat and included some street running and the majority was on a bike/running path. The half marathon was a two loop course, which is always a bummer. I would rather, get to one point and turn around than have to run the same course twice, looking at the same thing. The worst is getting to mile 7 and seeing the finish line and then having to run past it. UGGGGGG. Such a mind tease. Water and electrolyte stations were set up every couple miles and volunteers were always ready and friendly. Pros: -low registration fee -easy parking -cool medal -The Grilled Cheese Truck -happy volunteers -good aid stations -well organized Cons: -Wish the award categories were split up into smaller categories -2 loop course is a bummer -the paint on my medal was peeling and it had a red, white and blue ribbon....wasn't this a holiday race. Would have been better with holiday colors to match the actual holiday themed medal. -wish more people dressed up. -more spectators cheering on the runners would have been nice Would I do this one again? Maybe if they considered changing the course from a two loop to a one looper.

I have run several of their races over the years. The Pacific Half Marathon (2012); the Old Agoura…read more10k (2013); and the Cheseboro Half Marathon (2014, 2017). The only race I haven't done is the 5k. All the races are very well organized and usually start at the exact announced time. You can usually pick up your bib and bag in the finish area but it's recommended that you arrive early. The alternative is to pick it up at the expo on Thursday or Friday before the race - that's a good option if you're local so there is less stress than if you had to pick it up the morning of. If you arrive early enough there is plenty of parking in the mall parking lots nearby but the later you arrive, the crazier it gets. There is a decent number of port-a-johns near the start area but the lines tend to get a bit long close to the start...so I would like a bit more of these. As for the races themselves, neither of them is particularly fast because each one include a significant number of hard hills or technical terrain. The Pacific Half is entirely on roads and has an almost mile-long hard climb between mile 3 and 4, and some hard rollers before and after that. Cheseboro is about half on dirt trails, with short sections of technical terrain, and a gradual climb from Mile 3 to Mile 8 (steepest part is after mile 7). Miles 9 through 13 are mostly downhill but there are still a couple of climbs that will get to your legs late in the race. The 10k has a gradual incline miles 2-3 and some hard short climbs late in the race. So unless you're new to running and or if it's your first race at the distance, don't expect big PRs on these races. However they are quite scenic and make for a great workout. One cool thing about this race: race pictures are free! Take that, LA marathon and Rock and Roll races... So why not 5 stars? Well over the years they have cut the costs regarding shirts and medals. For instance back in 2013, the Cheseboro Half runners got a very nice tech shirt designed solely for that race. The design, quality and color was very cool. This year, the shirt was generic for all races and it had the logo stuck on the shirt instead of imprinted - it makes it uncomfortable to wear it because of the fact that the logo is not directly "inside" the shirt. Also the medals are the same for all races - only difference is the necklaces.

I ran the Pacific Half Marathon this year and it was a spectacular race. The scenery all along the…read moreroad course is stunning! There are so many hidden gems along the run and the distraction really makes the time pass quickly. The course is quite challenging with lots of long, gradual uphills. I'm so happy that I did hill repeats as part of my training since I saw lots of casualties fall back. The water stations were supplied with lots of friendly, smiling volunteers and no shortage of water, electrolyte drink or energy gels. There were also lots of porta potties without lines. There were several volunteers stationed along the course cheering us on. There wasn't alot of community members out cheering like there are at bigger events but it was still a great event. The finish area at Chumash Park was bustling with excitement. I really wanted some Whole Foods pancakes after the run but the line was a good 30 minutes long. Pretty much all of the brunch food lines were long so in my need for some quick replenishment, I settled on a banana and an FRS electrolyte drink. The lines were so long because all of the different races end in the same location. Parking was a bit chaotic since my husband waited for me at the finish. Luckily we have a friend who let us have his parking spot in his condo complex so we only had a half mile walk back to the car. I'd definitely do this race again since it was so scenic and challenging and the staff were so amazing. Chip Time: 2:06:31

I'll write a more in-length review later, but for now…read more.. Super flat out-and-back course which was really nice but at the same time had some not-so-pristine moments (roadkill...stinky water treatment plant...stuff like that). THE MOST AMAZING post-race snack table ever! I mean seriously. Someone posted a picture of it, and it really deserves 6 stars. This race isn't getting 5 stars because: A) having to pay for parking (THANK YOU to the parking gate guy who worked with me when I couldn't pony up the full bill!) B) I had to pay extra to pick up my packet on the morning of. Not sure where the "VIP area" that was included in my $20 extra charge was supposed to be, but, either way I wasn't going to be able to drive from Lancaster to Ventura two days in a row to so the extra $20 was a necessary evil. C) The final mile was a mess. I'm chugging along trying to tell myself to just keep running, but the course at that point was on the beach path where people were just meandering. It was a struggle to stay in the game and keep focused while dodging strollers and random beachgoers. All in all, I might just have to do this race again next year!

Such a great course to run. Whether you're a seasoned runner or this is your first half marathon,…read morethis race is sweet. This is my second time running the Ventura half marathon, the course changed a bit to make it easier at the finished line. Now is mostly all down hill. Process of signing up is quick and easy. They are great at maintaining you in the loop on updates as the date gets closer. Parking at the fairgrounds was so close to the finish line and $5 was a steal. You get a nice shirt, medal, a bag and some protein goodies as your swag bag. Also, Nuun water and honey stinger where provided through out the run (at designated aid stations). Afterwards you can get your free breakfast ( waffles, pineapple, strawberries- just make sure they're not in your teeth before you take a picture like I did ) pretzels and beer, haha. Walk around some of the tents and visit with local businesses. Check out mile 26 for all your running everything. Photo ops, too. Get your BQ at the full marathon.

Horrible event. Disorganized and total lack of communication other than irrelevant social media…read morepostings. They canceled the 5k yesterday, leaving everyone to presume that the half would be canceled as well. We had until 3 pm to pick up our bibs, and they didn't give an option to have them mailed out. Sometime after the bib pick-up was closed, they announced that the race was on. They then announced that we could pick up bibs the day of, for an extra $25 on top of the $200 already spent. This has never happened before in my 20 years of running. To be clear, this was not about the weather. This storm was a known event well in advance of the race. It was about the lack of communication, decision making, organization, and leadership. Recommend Malibu Moves. DON'T DO RUNMALIBU.

Lack of organization. I missed my husband's finish because of the shuttle. I spent in the line more…read morethan 1 hour and couldn't support my loved one at this moment. If you don't allow people to get the place by themselves, you have at least to organize a proper transfer for everyone. Disappointed!

Okay... this race? SO good…read more If you're looking for a marathon that's fast, beautiful, and actually fun to run, Mountains to Beach is it. Just so youknow it's not a total free ride (and honestly, that's what makes it even better). You start in Ojai running through orange groves at sunrise, and it already feels like a vibe. Cool air, quiet roads, and just enough excitement to get you going without feeling chaotic. Then you head out into stretches with river views, farmland, cows, and horses -- it's peaceful in the best way and makes the miles go by so much easier. I was in awe. The course had a lot of support from the community with people out in their lawn chairs cheering us on. Real runner talk: The first ~3 miles are a steady uphill (don't get too excited too early) The middle miles has rollers that keep you working. There are some flat sections where it's just you and your thoughts And yes... a little hill toward the end just to test you. I even forgot my name. So yeah, it's downhill overall. But you still have to run smart to earn it. Why I loved it: The scenery is chef's kiss the whole way It never feels boring. The course support keeps you engaged. Some people were stopped on the side of the freeway supporting friends and family. At first I thought something had happened then I saw the signs and was like oh wow!! Perfect for runners who know how to pace and stay patient. That finish line feeling hits different when you know you executed it right. Crossing the finish in 3:25 with a BQ and a solid 20 min buffer made it even sweeter. Would I run it again? 100% yes. Might not be able to next year as I will probably be in Boston. This one is officially a favorite

There was very little good about this race. If I had to say one good thing, I would say that the…read morevolunteers at most of the race stations were good. That is where the good ended. The expo is complete trash. The expo is in some dirty fairgrounds that charge $10 for parking. There is nothing at the expo besides a fortune teller and some other unrelated stuff you can buy. The Race Director was a major fail for this event. 6 weeks before they event, they pushed it back 1 week. Hotels, flights, gas, everything was more expensive for the week delay. The race started 20 minutes late in the hot sun, which also led to hotter time when running. Standing in a packed group for those 20 minutes also gave me COVID 3 days later. The course was poorly marked and due to that error, everyone ran an extra .5 miles. Many missed their BQ. Post race food was minimal and everyone was just pissed because they missed their BQ. I was far from a celebratory mood and just wanted to go home. No pictures, no celebration. Just anger and disappointment. People dedicate months / years for training, and M2B was a complete failure that took goals away. if you are looking for a PR or BQ, I suggest doing a different race until this one has a track record of getting their crap together. Shame on you M2B.

Santa to the Sea is a fun, festive, and very well-organized event for all ages and abilities. Takes…read moreplace in my hometown of Oxnard, CA. Race options include diaper dash, kids 1K, 5K, Quarter Marathon, Half Marathon Relay, and Half Marathon. Volunteers and crowd support are awesome and the monies raised go to wonderful local charities and scholarships. They also do a toy drive! Santa hands down is my favorite local race. Register early to get the best pricing!

I LOVE this race. I've run the 5k a couple of years in a row and did the half this year. I had such…read morea great time with my friend. If you sign up early enough you get a great price! Such a great cause to run this race. Bring an unwrapped present for an underprivileged child to be given to this Christmas. A race that focuses on giving back to the community. The course goes by SO quickly, mainly because it's mostly flat but also because you have so much of the community involved. Throughout the race we were cheered for by locals, had live bands playing and even passed by a house with people banging on their pots and pans, yeah!!! Local schools had cheering stations and plenty of water/ electrolytes stations, too. At the half way point, you're given gels, too. Japanese drummers at the half point got my blood pumping, what a way to cheer. Thank you!!! And you run feeling safe thanks to all the volunteer and Oxnard PD helping with traffic. Cool bling at the end to boot. Great job Mike Barber and rest of Santa to the Sea Committee. Can't wait to run again next year.

(Half #16, 2015)…read more Running 13 miles along the beautiful beaches of Southern California--and getting a super cool medal for doing so--is an exceptional way to spend your morning, is it not? (Most of my friends whole-heartedly disagree, so let 'em.) But while most linger still in dreamland's starlit warmth, fast asleep and snuggling their pillows, shoelaced running enthusiasts congregate upon Ventura's coastline for Elite Sports' 3rd annual Shoreline Half Marathon. If you've run the Ventura Half or Elite Sports' Seaside Half, this course'll look pretty familiar. Beginning around the Ventura Promenade and Pier, Shoreline's Half courses North along the beach's rolling bike and pedestrian path. For the most part, this course is flat and even. (It's relative, I know.) A few dips are here and there, but the ocean and accompanying scenery distract, enough so that you may not even notice the simple climbs. The Half doesn't begin until 8am--the 5k and 10k follow--so it's likely you'll be running through some heat. (I'd brought a cap, and I am so glad I did because running South after the turn-around means seven miles sunward.) Bring along some sunscreen! Shoreline has multiple water/aid stations along the route, welcoming oases that certainly help as the temperature rises. Shoreline also offers its Half Marathoners free tacos and beer after the race, and that's a great perk; however, the lines for both were a bit long. We opted instead to try a taco shop upon the pier: a couple Beach House Tacos and a limed Corona seriously...hit...the...spot! (Another reason for getting tacos along the pier, by the way, was that our validated receipt awarded us free parking in the neighboring structure!) What's really cool about Elite Sports' races, though, is their "Endurance Challenge": running seven of their Half marathons awards a challenge medal at the year's end. I want that! Having run now four of Elite's Half so far, I was given another water bottle, a sweet running cap, and a great ditty bag! For more information about the Endurance Challenge, check here: elitesportsca.com/Endura.... And, even cooler, is that Elite Sports' races are included in the CA Half Series (calhalfseries.com), which--if you're into Halfs--awards a 10-, 15-, and 20-run series medal at the end of the year. Running seven of Elite Sports' inches you closer to the halfway mark! TIP: If you plan to run any of Elite Sports' or the CA Half Series' races, check out RaceShed (raceshed.com); it gives "race for less" discounts and promo codes.

First off - I understand that this was the 2nd year that this race was put on and I heard many…read morecomplaints about it from last year. So I went into this race not feeling really good about it. However - My wife and I thought overall this was a solid organized event and a fair price for what you get out of it. The prerace packet pick up was at a local Sports Authority. Basically you received the chip, race number, shirt, plastic bottle, bag and a few coupons. Not a whole lot in comparison to other races.. The pickup was rather smooth btw. Nice sectioned off area of the store. The race location iteself: Plenty of parking at the location and easy to get to. The pre announcements were loud and clear and the race started on time This was a timed race and it clearly appeared to be some confusion by racers as how the staggerred times should work becuase you saw folks that clearly should not have been going up front with the top racers. One ouch moment occurred before the race: The announcer did slip up and cursed not knowing he was still on an open Mic. he did apologize but it was a bit unproffesional - especially with a kid/family friendly event. The course for the most part was rather flat and the first couple of miles you do see the shoreline but then is spans out away from the beach and into a residential area. The first few miles were tight - thin bike path and trying to pass people was a bit difficult. One draw back with this race is that it is not exactly closed off. Racers need to contend with beachgoers and transiets that wander throughout the course. There were police and volunteers keeping traffic away. There was a bit of an uphill and then a nice long down hill with shade through the residential area during I believe miles 3-4. This race was HOT! really baked on you and drained you. My guess was that it was mid to high 70's early in the am. Refreshments: Water, gatorade and gel stations were staggered through out the race course. I know other reviewers reported to have gotten lost or confused and got off course but I honeslty thought that it was rather well directed. Post Race: There was a tent for post race results, tents for water, gatorade, bread, bannanas and oranges etc.. Also had massage tables set up and they worked for tips. Music was playing - nice grassy area Not just with this race but with all races I honeslty wish participants were more aware and courteous of other racers. Too many participants dont actually run and walk the course speading out across the lane shoulder to shoulder and talking with their friends making it very difficult for actual runners to pass... Also people that race with their dogs have got to keep them under control. (My suggestion to Organizers is to maybe do an etiquette review by the announcer prior to each race) The wife and I would do this one again - the only real draw back was it was incrediblly hot - which you just take your chances with mother nature.