I attended the recruitment week for the triathlon club a few weeks back at their swim event at…read moreAquatic Park. I met a few of the club members and they were all kind. There were a few announcements made by the swim director Aimee before she requested all newcomers to come up to the front. I was the first one to the front and greeted her, only to be completely ignored. As moments passed, several other individuals showed up and were promptly greeted by Aimee. She conducted her quick safety briefing and offered advice and the opportunity for pairings for those individuals. However, when I again greeted her and let her know that I was interested in joining the club, I was met with a look and tone of annoyance. It was comical how quickly her tone negatively shifted when she had to interact with me. I explained that I came from a competitive swim background, and her only response was to jump into the water. No offer for open water swim advice or partner pairings like she did with everyone else. I did a quick swim and wanted to ask a few more questions about the club and was blatantly ignored by Aimee once again. It's quite ironic how she praises the value of community, generosity, and support in the club on the website, and yet, as a leader within the club, she displays the complete opposite. Sports such as triathlons and biking have all had a history and stereotype of being exclusive, and unfortunately, this group has selected a leader that further perpetuates this negative stigma. Aimee isn't a complete reflection of the club and their values as she is an individual, but I do want others to be aware of my experience when exploring or looking for a community

I'd have to agree with Isla and J.G.'s reviews. It shocks me how almost mindlessly fawning the…read moremajority of reviews for GGTC are, almost like cultish brainwashing. I've been a high performer in sports all my life, and have therefore seen the worst and best of the jock lifestyle. GGTC is more clique-ish and shallow than even high school sports. They will talk a good game and coax new members in with backslaps and promises of comradery. But, just like grade school, you have to hit some magical combination of perceived coolness to actually be accepted. To prospective members: Do you seriously want to be a part of that immaturity? One example happened the very first week I joined. I went on a general long-distance road cycle organized by GGTC. The event leader was Ellison Wada. (Yes, you are going to be called out when you behave churlishly.) I spoke with him about the Marin Century Ride and mentioned I had registered for it. He answered my questions about what the course was like, and vaguely mentioned that some GGTC members would be riding in it. Never mentioned who they were, and his body language and evasive speech made it clear I was not welcome to join that contingent. So, as a new member to GGTC and a new transplant to San Francisco, I was left to do the century alone. What a great feeling that was as someone trying to establish themself in an unfamiliar place. Come the day of the century, about halfway through the ride, I see Ellison and about eight other GGTC members at a rest station. So even though this sad boy was part of that contingent, he purposely withheld that fact because he didn't want me to join them. And no, neither he nor GGTC can make the excuse that I would have had trouble keeping up. I kept up with the faster riders during the previous group event, and during other rides, consistently outpaced members who trained 3x more than I did. Furthermore, I actually caught up to the GGTC contingent during that Marin Century, even though I started an hour later than they did. Note that this was my first century ever, and I still caught up to them. Maybe the club needs to rethink if it's really as hot as it believes, and reconsider its training programs, if a newbie can easily achieve that without any support. It's pretty sad to see grown adults -- many of who were never-beens when they were younger and are trying to desperately capture some semblance of glory in their twilight years -- behave that way. I couldn't stand being around a group of people I felt nothing but contempt for, and left in disgust several months after joining.

I have been attending the Celebrity golf events for a few years now. Each year gets better and…read morebetter! See you in Sept!!!

We went to compete, volunteer, and cheer in 2011. Last year was just competing and cheering. I'd…read moresay we have a pretty good idea of how this triathlon holds up to others and it's terrific. Things of note to racers: - The race talk is important. - Pay attention when they tell you about the currents. They're not kidding! - There's a bagpiper at the start of the race (LOVE!). - They sang the national anthem. - There's carpeting leading in and out of the water so that racers don't hurt their feet on stones. - Some parts of the course are confusing. The bike and run involve a few loops and are sometimes biking/running along side one another. It's not always clear which way bikes should go and which way runners should go. - Both the bike and run start and end near a challenging hill. Things to note for volunteers: - Although there's a sign-up online, it's not necessary to do so. You can volunteer where needed the day of the race. - The volunteers are SUPPOSED to have specific time slots, but I witnessed several volunteers who were never given relief and felt compelled to stay MUCH longer than they agreed. Things to note for people cheering: - Be careful not to walk on the course. There are many places where it seems okay to stand or walk where it's not. - Since everything starts and ends close to the transition area, it's convenient to set up camp in a single location and cheer on your racers. - You should bring snacks and drinks as there isn't a whole lot available at the race. Not to say that there's nothing. Just not much. - Cell phone reception is spotty. We had three different carriers between us and none of us had a consistent signal. There were times when we didn't have signal at all.

It's great to finally have a Turkey Trot in Oakland!! I missed the Inaugural race last year, but…read morethis years (2018) was great. It's the exact same route as the Oakland Running Festival 5K, running on the streets around Lake Merritt. They also have kids races. It's a 5K that starts at 8:30 AM, and you can sign up online or race day morning. I love that they offer a packet mailing option, I wish all races offered this!! There is also a virtual race option if you can't actually make it there. The rain seemed to stop just long enough to get this done this year, but it started pouring rain not long after the finish. But we really needed the rain, and rain running is fun anyhow. So mark your calendars, every Thanksgiving, this race could become a new tradition. And you can burn some calories, work up an appetite, and feel less guilty from all the food you're gonna eat later!!

The 12 hour long party aka the Dirty Dozen. If you're a fan of being active and sharing time…read morewalking or running, this may be the event for you. I signed up for the 6 hour version of the dirty dozen which is a 12 hour long endurance event hosted by Brazen race series. Participants are invited to create teams of up to 3 in visuals to take on completing laps on the designated course; teams with the most laps completed within the given time limit, are awarded prizes in their ranking order, the typical 1st through 3rd place. The event is well organized, well marked and well supported for the full duration, complete with plenty of food, music at the main exchange point/ staging area and a delicious meal at the end of your specific race. Participants bring in pop up tents, chairs and whatever you may need to feel comfortable while you wait for your turn as most participants are a part of a team and complete the 3, 6 or 12 hour event relay style. My friends and I signed up as we have friends in our running group who shared how much fun they had when they participated and they were not wrong. We were well supported with fuel for the course as they served a variety of traditional products like energy gels, energy chews and bananas but they also offered real food like pancakes in the morning, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, fig newtons, salty treats oranges, water, energy drinks...the options seemed endless. When we were done with our six hour race, a beautiful catered lunch was served which included bbq meats, salads, cornbread Mac n cheese, lots of options of drinks, as well as chips, desserts including it's it ice cream sandwiches. The spread was the best I've ever seen as I'm used to running marathons and only being offered chocolate milk, a banana and maybe if we are lucky, an additional sponsor offer additional samples of products they want to promote to runners . This was amazing! The course was beautiful as it took you through some beautiful trails in a eucalyptus grove as well as waterfront views . When we were done, we were already talking about next year's plan. We are hooked and look forward to future events.

This 5k run is sponsored by the United Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation (UMDAF) and benefits all 6…read moreHigh School Sports & Athletics programs of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD). This includes Northgate, Ygnacio Valley, Clayton Valley, College Park, Mt. Diablo, and Concord High. The 2012 race was held on October 7th at Newhall Community Park off Turtle Creek Rd. in Concord, CA. The 2012 program included an electonically-timed Competitive 5K Run, a 5K recreational run/walk, and a Kiddie Race. Pre-registration was $25, Day of Event was $30, and the Kiddie race was only $10. All participants who obtained $50 or more in sponsorships had their registration fees waived. Net proceeds benefit the United Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation, a Sec. 501(c)(3) organization, which directly funds the high school sports programs of the MDUSD. Awards were given to top 3 finishers by Age & Gender Groups. The 5k is run entirely within Newhall Community Park. The course starts and ends in grassy areas within the park, but the majority of the course is run on paved and unpaved trails which encircle the park, including an entire loop, with a shortened 2nd inner loop. (See course map uploaded as a photo on Yelp as a .jpg file). The trail includes a few inclines and declines (small hills), but the total elevation gain is manageable. The race is a volunteer-run event, and as you would expect for an event of this type, a large number of the runners are local high school athletes and their family members. Overall, a great community event for the Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek area . . . and the MDUSD !!

What a fun way to start the year and kick start your new years fitness goals. The run is through…read morethe golden park, down ocean beach and back. I completed the 10k for the first time with friends. I would say the run can be a challenge, there is uphill going back to the park. I run golden gate but if you are used to flat running it can be an adjustment. One critique was the water stations seemed to be poorly stationed out. There were plenty of water during the first few miles but then we couldn't find water for the last end, which is when you need it ! But everyone was friendly and the after hot chocolate was .

A huge race thank goodness they started tying the start lines with the 5K people starting a good 45…read moreminutes to an hour before the 10 and 15 K. There is a cut off for speed with 15 minute mile being the slowest so I'm gonna have to hustle if you're a walker I don't know if it is worth it to do the VIP we did. We just got a little grocery bag with some chocolate and coupons in it at the packet pick up and then on the day we suppose we were to get a hot breakfast and a turkey sausage we wanted to have bananas. Regular people were getting but they ran out. I don't know that I would ever do the VIP again unless it was raining and then it's totally worth it.

Is this where I can meet my husband? In San Francisco?…read more Ode to pancakes and virgin bloody mary's..as well as my prize medal for running the presidio 5k that also is offered by SF Marathon...even this year..thanks for telling me these tips the hard way. Running is a nice way to socialize and meet people in a new city or old city.. As long as you can practice for the real thing. As long as you bring your kids...as long as you forgot to get married. Don't forget to wake up after your hangover and head over to brunch in San Francisco CA bro--kay?

Picture perfect views on the course, fun after party at the finish line all in the name of charity,…read morewhat more could you ask for?! The guardsmen have been hosting this race for some time and every year ( this was my 9th) it gets better and better! Pros: well organized and supported course Well staffed aid stations and awesome volunteers Race day packet pick up Staggered race times for each race Cocktails and breakfast at the finish line Newly upgraded race finisher shirts ; no more cotton Proceeds go to fund activities for underprivileged youth Great music and party atmosphere post race Beautiful, scenic course Cons: Tough to get into your own groove/pace as the stretch on the bridge is crowded. Bottlenecks when connecting from the northbound to southbound side of the bridge As you can see, the pros outweigh the cons, I am looking forward to my 10th year and many more in the future. Thank you guardsmen for hosting an A+ event.

Our last vacation was really one to remember. We wanted to do something different. We had heard…read moreabout a race by Amazing Team Adventures so we went for it. It was truly unique and a great way to see some places you've never heard about. The friendly competition of the race made it even more fun. Joanne M.