I had the chance to run the Hot Chocolate run 15k/5k recently in San Diego and I had a blast!…read more Sign-ups were easy and convenient while I did everything online and the page was easy to navigate around to find all the information you needed to know about the race. It was sponsored by St Jude hospital where they gave you another opportunity to donate to the kids there for free medical expenses provided at the hospital made easy by donors like yourself. The expo was on Broadway Pier located Downtown on the Embarcadero on Friday and Saturday while you had the chance to pick up your BIB and a lovely swag running jacket . I was in and out in no time with all my gear and of course free samples of chocolate and marshmallows! Sunday was race day and the 5k (3.2 mi) started at 645 am while the 15k (9.3 mi) started at 745am at K street in Downtown San Diego right next to Petco Park. The race was well organized with live music and photographers taking pictures. As for the course it was one of the funnest courses I have ran with hills on top of hills. As I runner you always have to remember what must go up must come down! The course was well managed with volunteers giving out electrolytes, water, and of course sweet treats such as chocolates and gummies every couple of miles. The photographers were great while all the pictures they took were were uploaded that same day unlike most races where you have to wait a week or so to view them. Overall it was a fun hilly Downtown race with scenic views and unexpectedly I finished 1st in my age group and 27th overall! Looking forward to run this race again in the future because I had such a great time and the swag they gave out was awesome along with the post race hot chocolate, Graham crackers, oreos, bananas, and of course marshmallows!

I decided to sign up for the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k Run with my friend! Even though I'm not much of a…read morerunner, I had an amazing time. We got dropped off and then took the trolley back after the race was finished

2 of 12 in 2016 - DONE!!!…read more Who runs 2 1/2 marathons in 6 days... I DO!!! I earned my "Concrete" Mermaid Athlete status. My friends always call me a mermaid because I love the waters. I thought the Mermaid Series 1/2 Marathon and the pink mermaid medal was fitting for my wall of medals. I had originally signed up for the 10k 6 miles because 6 days prior to this race I just ran the Run Surf City 1/2 Marathon and in 3 weeks will be running the San Diego 1/2 Marathon. Never ran a race back to back but said there's a first for everything so less than 12hrs before start I had asked to switch to a 1/2 marathon (since my body fully recovered quickly) - why not!!! THE EXPO. There really wasn't one. Just a bib pick up at Sports Authority. THE COURSE. The race is on a Saturday morning. After a long week and having to wake up early in the M was a brutal awakening. No PRs just #sexypace. Started out cold and foggy. But appreciate the cold because by mile 5 the sun will be beaming. It was around mission beach park. Parking was hideous. Think about it, the start line and finish line are a mile away from each other and you can either park at the finish line and walk an extra mile back to your car OR you can park near the finish line and walk a mile before running 13.1 miles. There's no shuttle service!!! Choose wisely. The path ways were basically the park paths and side walks. Expect some crowding, especially when you catch up to pacer groups and they block the pathway and you can't get around them. The course is relatively flat with itty bitty unnoticeable inclines around mile 2-4. Mile 5-7 goes by quickly. Mile 8 was a clustered path and you are using mile 10s water station as mile 8s water station - not a good idea because you have to cross the course and get into the ways of mile 10 runners to get a cup of water. Mile 8-9 probably the hardest miles of this course. And the worst part, the hammer head gel espresso flavor on the tables were the nastiest gels I ever had. I had the squirts the rest of the day.... terrible!!! The rest of the way to the finish line you are running on a side walk and by then many locals are entering the park so your sharing a side walk with a lot of others runners and park visitors. And at the end they are having the kid dash on the same path as the finish so as you are running the last 100 yards there's kids and people dashing towards you (that was kind of weird and very disorganized). But overall I'm happy I ran the 1/2. San Diego people are so friendly... A lot of people smiled at me on the course, had conversation with me, etc. cracking up when homegirl and I ran past a volunteer that looked grumpy and didn't want to be there and she said "smile girl" and the volunteer still just stared at us. Hilarious! Anyhow this was a fun run with great people. THE AFTERMATH. Several tents set up for small snacks and drinks and a lot of merchandise on sale. They were serving green bananas. You know how important potassium is after running 13.1 miles and they serve GREEN BANANAS, yuck. But I received my medal and my mermaid necklace... I finished my 1/2 marathon and beat my time from 6 days ago by 5 minutes with no injury. Next race in 3 weeks :)

Really a fun theme and event. Great vendors but could have more! Very well organized from…read moreregistration to the finish line! Going to participate in another mermaid run soon!

So here's the thing…read more.. If you've been chasing the CA Half Series, you'll likely end up at the San Diego Holiday Half medal race. Whether you're completing four races, seven, ten, fifteen, or twenty--even if you're solely running SD--the Holiday Half is where you'll be awarded your much-deserved medals. So since you're running SD Holiday Half anyway--you might as well run the San Diego South Bay Turkey Trot 15K and snag an extra challenge medal for running both. The medal in question: the Winter Exacta Medal! To qualify, you must run the 15K--it's the same medal for all three finished runs--but Rohr Park offers a beautifully scenic course, lots of runners are colorfully costumed to fit the holiday theme, and everyone is in high spirits. After all, a pre-run on Thanksgiving morning is certainly invigorating and refreshing, especially when knowing a turkey celebration and an exciting day of football is soon to follow. After logging a few, early morning miles, turkey seconds (and thirds), smashed cauliflower, and a bit of cranberry sauce is welcomed. Earn it!

It was a cold chilly morning but folks got up, some got dressed and trotted out to Rhor park to…read morekick start the day burning off calories that soon will be replenished. With all the Turkey Trots around San Diego, this one is the only one that gave out a finishers medal at the end. Though the medals were the same for the 5k, 10k ,and 15k the ribbon was a different color. No biggie. The bib pick up was in the same place the day before. Because it got dark, they had to set up lights for people to find their names, sign the liability sheet and pick up their goodie bag which consisted your tshirt. Other than that, there was nothing else in there but a coupon. The day of the run was simple. There were two white signs that said start and orange cones that lead the running path. Parking was tricky since there are several parking lots around the park. They started the 15k people at 8am and then let the other runners go 5 mins later so not everyone bunched up in one area. But you had some faster runners in the 5k who caught up the 15kers pretty fast. The course was a mix of wet grass, dirt trail and concrete. The runners started thinning out by the first mile and there was only one water station along the way for the 5k course. As for the 10k and 15k, I'm not sure if there was any more water stations but it was not expected to be hills! My only suggestions to improve this race is to have mile markers. There was none along the way and folks who never ran the course have no idea where or how far we were from the finish line. And an elevation chart would be great too for those running the 10k/15k. The timing for the course came out the same day which was great and there were plenty of snacks and water to replenish after the race.

This was my second time running the Rock n Roll Half Marathon in San Diego and I can say it is one…read moreof the more well run and signed races I've been to. There was no confusion which course to follow, which has sometimes been the case at some particular Rock n Roll events for me in the past. Having only one course split between the half and full marathons has a role to play in that. This course is hilly, regardless which one you choose and the half takes you through Hillcrest, University Heights, North Park, Balboa Park and then downtown, with the race festival being at Waterfront Park the past few years. The finish line is located blocks away from the festival so there's always quite a bit of walking before you can grab your checked gear back, heavy medals, beer, etc If you have a car, there is no official parking area so you're on your own for that. I would recommend arriving on foot, scooter, bike or rideshare. I have a friend that drove his car and it seemed like a pain trying to find a place to reserve a parking spot prior race morning.

Just finished my first half marathon! At first I was little concerned since all the bathrooms…read morebefore the race had started ran out of toilet paper but as the run started there was multiple well stocked rest stations. The course itself was beautiful and well versed from long flat stretches to hills for all levels of runners. Multiple water and Gatorade stations. The only time I felt uncomfortable on my run was during the last stretch where we had to run through a tunnel with multiple homeless encampments. I will be doing this run again the only thing I would ask them to change is a safer ending to the route and better stocked restrooms at the start. There is also a lot of medical tents and personal on site in case of emergencies!

"What do you want me to do? Dress in drag and do the hula?" - Timon, The Lion King…read more One of my favorite local runs! My only "Hawaiian" type of outfit is a wrap I bought years ago from the Bahamas. If it weren't for this race, I probably would have worn it twice. Now I can say I wore it at least 4 times now. Lol. As the years progress, the amount of participants increase. The course they have choose for the 5K is along walkways which are split into two way traffic areas, and still shared by pedestrians. They should make the walkways one way thus giving runners more space, and kick out the pedestrians. lol. For 2016, I believe they changed the route a bit, and even added a 10K. I remember last year, there was this lady looking for her son. I guess he was taken the night before. She was on the side asking runners if anyone has seen a little boy; it was quite the downer. Anyway, it's a fun, easy run for the whole family, and they always provide cute medals. Anything Hawaiian themed means you'll have a good time. :) TIPS -- It is alway hot, so be prepared and wear sunscreen. -- Parking can be a little tricky, so come early -- If you cannot pick up your gear at the day before at Road Runner Sports, you can pick it up on the day of the race. Shirt sizes may vary at that point. -- A timer is provided -- No gear check -- There is a "virtual" version of this race. You pay the fees, run/walk at your own leisure, and your medal and shirt will be mailed to you. -- Long Beach also has a Aloha Run! If you are that desperate, you can go to Long Beach. lol.

A fun festive event,love the good atmosphere live entertainment and the course. Can't wait for next…read morerace.

Were you one of the 8000 people who participated in this race today? This race was in its 21st…read moreyear and yet it was disappointingly disorganized and chaotic. It started out by the Convention Center and ended up at Tidelands Park in Coronado. This wasn't really a race because so many non-serious "runners" were talking on their cell phones and taking dozens of pictures with the digi cams. It was even more disturbing to see people purposedly taking pictures with the Suicide Hotline sign as they were crossing the bridge. Suicide is not a funny matter. I felt like pushing these idiots off the bridge. Clearly the non-serious so-called runners should have had a separate start time or better yet not have even registered for this event all. I checked online for my race time and I don't even see my name as a finisher. Ummm Hello Organizers, what the hell is going on?... It's absolutely unacceptable. I will tell the hundreds of coworkers at the big institution where I work to avoid this so-called race next year like the plague.

fun event with high energy music to get everyone amped for the run. food trucks are there if you're…read morehungry which doesn't make too much sense to me because you're running, being healthy, being fit and here's a taco truck haha anyways.. if you plan on bringing your expensive camera or even your phone, be warned that they most likely will get the color powder thingy on them. Use a zip lock bag or something to protect them. The event was held at 9am which is good, because its not too early so it won't be as chilly and also not late to where the sun is out burning you. At the finish line volunteers pass out drinking water, so drink it and stay hydrated. Overall a great event. Oh bring a towel too to wipe all the color powder stuff off your face.

Fun run benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of North County! Packet pickup was easy as was parking…read morethe day of the event. Perfect for families and groups. Fun announcer at the starting line and isn't of color to go around. Nice to get a bottle of water at the finish line but would prefer more than one water table on the course. 5 star would be tunes rocking throughout the course. And to be even more exceptional a course photographer that sends you links to photos you can buy wherever your race number showed up. The candids turned out so great that I can only imagine if we had access to action shots.

I did the Color Run back in 2012 and just noticed on my account that the company who processed…read moretheir race and payments posted an unauthorized charge of $89.95 for a yearly membership 7 and 8 years later! I was charged in 2019 and again for 2020. I just noticed it and tried to call ACTIVE NETWORK but they had heavy call volumes so I reported the unauthorized charges to my bank and BBB.org who are currently investigating it. If you check them out on BBB.org there are NUMEROUS complaints on the same issue. ActiveNetwork.com even has a Q&A on the annual fee. So it must happen pretty often. I logged into the account and looked at my history of charges from them. I attached a photo with this review. I hope races and marathons stop working with this shady company.

Thought I'd better get this review out since I'm doing the LA Color Run tomorrow!…read more I was signed up for the 9:00am wave. We picked up our bibs that morning of the event and the lines moved along smoothly. Reading the other reviews, I'm glad I wasn't in town Friday to make the pick up at the store. They gave out water bottles that morning with different colored lids and sweatbands for your head. With so many people, it took awhile to finally get to the start of the line but that was to be expected. Items were thrown into the waiting crowd. I'm sure these were the same items that were for sale. During the route, we were able to put in some running, dodging the walkers. I did my best to get color on me from the volunteers. If you didn't get enough color on you during the run, you will most definitely get showered with it during the after party where color is thrown in the air at intervals. Awesome energy at the post run party but got hit with elbows and arms a few times since my cousin insisted on being so close to the front. The crowd was filled with happy, hyped-up people that got crazy trying to catch the items being thrown from the stage, which included more packets of color. It's crazy standing in there when people are throwing the powder up in the air. The sun gets blocked out for those seconds. I didn't see any blowers as we were leaving but I did hear one. My cousin just wanted to get to the hotel and shower so we didn't bother looking. Make sure to bring something to cover your car seats for the ride home. Expect your tongues to be colored. I think I was getting over a cold at the time. This is gross but even the mucous from my throat was colored the following day. Don't worry, it's all harmless. I'm still alive. Awesome event and I had a blast but I noticed these color-type runs are becoming more common now.

I have run this the last couple years. 5k last year, 12k this year and hubby ran the half. Fun…read morerace, great location and nice and flat. Can you really complain about a beautiful morning run at the beach. Only thing I could recommend is better organization in the beer garden lol. Cheers!

A great race with a few minor problems. I have been running this race for 12 years and love the…read morecourse and organization. Always a fun start and finish line with plenty of refreshments and bathrooms along the route. Probably one of the best run races in SoCal. Ok that was the good news and now...... 1. They advertise a Beer Garden as part of the entry fee and when you get there assuming you paid for a free glass of Suds you are bullied into giving a so called $9.00 donation. Donation to me infers "a choice" but when you enter you have NO choice, you either have to pay the $9.00 "donation" fee or get out. This is pure "Bait and Switch"and places a sour note on an otherwise wonderful event. If you want to charge people for beer that's fine but don't allude in your advertising, webpage and signup that it is part of your entry fee and then strong-arm and intimidate people who are tired and thirsty. Why not even put up a sign that says Beer $9.00 a glass? This is a really a tacky move and should stop. Personal Note and Solution: After we left the ripoff beer garden we discovered that "Coronado Beer Company" was across the street with better, fresher and cheaper beer. I call it Karma :-) 2. Getting Race Results: Why do I have to go to a Link call athlinks and signup with my birthdate, email etc to obtain my race results? You know what happens next; they inundate you with BS advertising, offers, emails, etc and who knows where your informations ends up? Why do we have to always give this information to another strange company when we have already shared it with the Silver Strand application form?