This is a great, well run and local run that kicks off EVER year on Thanksgiving morning! It's a…read moreUSAT&F certified 5k that winds thru the scenic streets of Piedmont. The course is closed to all cars for the first 45 minutes of the race which makes it a speedy course for those who finish in 16 minutes or simply a fun and safe course for people and their families or are walking it. The motto is, "MOVE your feet before you eat! "Your registration gets you a chipped time race bib, a stylish tech shirt and a party at the finish line featuring a band, prizes and morning coffee. http://piedmontturkeytrot.com

I participated in the 2016 race. I've done a couple other 5ks as well as a 10k so this wasn't my…read morefirst race. Prices were reasonable. Packet pickup was quick and easy (at the veterans center). However, the hours weren't practical at all (3:00pm-5:30pm, most race pickups are about 9-5). The free bag and water bottle was cool but I would have rather had a medal. The shirts were nice but a tighter material so you couldn't roll up the arms. Lots of snacks before and after the race (samples, bananas, hot cocoa/coffee). Race day parking was easy and free. You can pick up your packet morning of but they wont guarantee your shirt (huh?). There was no line for packet pickup but a huge one for morning of registration. Time tracking for the race was a plus. My biggest complaint is the course. While the neighborhood offers nice scenery, it's a lot of uphill for a fun run. Probably more than half the course is uphill. Very little of the course is flat, it's mostly variations of up and down hill. Also, the road you're running on isn't leveled out, it's dome shaped. This meant if you didn't run down the dead center of the road you were running at an odd angle and disproportionally stressing the joints. Also there were no water stations on this run. Why? This is the only 5k I've ever done that didn't provide water stations; seems like a liability. All in all it's a nice community of people to run with but I'd be hesitant to run that course again in the future.

One of the smaller running events that I've been to, and I think it's by design because…read morenon-participants are also on the Lake Chabot Regional Park trails that coincide with some sections of the running courses. Really wished that the event started much earlier (closer to sunrise) because it was a bit warm and it was pretty distracting having to weave through non-participants especially bicyclists and those walking their dogs (got more busy later in the day). Besides that, the 5K course itself (there were other courses at the event as well) was great! Majority of it was shaded and throughout the course I got several peeks of Lake Chabot. There were gentle hills, but they were few and far between. Also shoutout to the very thorough e-mail newsletter presenting all of the info needed for the event (it's the little things lol but way better than clicking through several tabs on a running event website to gather the same kind of info). Goodies include an amazingly designed wood medallion, shirt, beer sampler stein (with actual beer sampling on-site), yogurt, and packaged snacks. Sasquatch mascot was there cheering runners (was pretty funny seeing general park visitors being confused, but also being happy, seeing a dude in a Sasquatch costume ahaha). *Highly* recommend arriving early for parking especially if you're planning to do free street parking. When I arrived at around 8 am, westbound Lake Chabot Rd. street parking was filled within maybe 0.7 mi from the entrance. Had to circle back and park eastbound grabbing a spot that's maybe 0.2 mi from the entrance. In terms of the parking lot ($5 fee), it was a little more than halfway filled.

I'm unable to run in the 2026 race due to an injury. I started the process to defer my entry to…read more2027 before the deadline. The website wouldn't allow the change so I emailed, again this is BEFORE the deadline. I received a response that I could not defer as the deadline had passed. After I described the technical difficulty (again), received the same response.

Livermore Half Marathon is art of the ''Golden State Series'' where if you complete all 3 events…read more(Town's Half Marathon in Oakland and US Half Marathon in San Francisco also) you get an additional medal. It's for that reason that I signed up for this event, you also get Wine sampling after the event but I'm all about the bling. Sign up was easy and if you purchase the 3 event entries together you save a few bucks. as I was a Pacer for the US Half I didn't do this but still make sure you sign up early to get the best rates! This event also sells out so don't wait too long if you want to Run it. The weeks before the event I didn't get any information about the day or packet pick up but it is all located on the website. Packet Pick up: Located at the Performing Arts Bankhead Theater Plaza the day before it was easy to get to but is only from 2-8pm so if you work late or far away you need to plan accordingly. Everything is done by number so you just provide that and they look up your Bibs. As Wine tasting is part of the post race fun you get given a wrist band to prove you're of age to drink but they make you put it on right then so you ''can't give it to someone else''. Kinda silly as I had to walk around with it on for almost a day before the event. T-Shirt is cool but the sizes run large. Course: Lot's of scenery to take in as you go through various parks and Wineries, there are some mild hills but nothing too taxing. Volunteers: Fantastic! The group at mile 11 were so full of energy. Post Run: Chaotic. There were a few bites of food (Banana's, Chips, KIND bars) with drinks of Water, Coconut Water and of course 13 Wineries for those over 21. The medal is kinda cool (doubles up as a coaster but cannot be removed from the lanyard) but not very pleasant to look at, last years way much nicer. A Nice event to do for locals and if you like to collect bling.

This is a USATF certified, hilly 5k course that runs through the picturesque town of Piedmont. This…read moreis one of the only closed course races around that has a spot for families/walkers and four legged friends. This race offers something for everyone. A speedy start for those who are going to run it under 20 minutes, a challenging course for the weekend warrior or a great stroll with your family and friends. Street parking is free and easy. Race shirts are high quality wicking fabric, timing provided by race roster. Snacks and prizes post race. https://raceroster.com/events/2018/18942/2018-piedmont-turkey-trot

This was my first year participating and I thought it was very well organized. I definitely…read moreenjoyed this run more than my past runs in the Bay Area (i.e. Pleasanton Spirit Run and Bear Creek Trail Run). Everything that the past Yelpers said were all true - participants get a nice long sleeve t-shirt, a Christmas tree ornament for the finishers, lots of food and ice cream. Although it was freezing, it didn't stop Cat N. and me from enjoying our ice cream. It was a well deserved treat. =) The course was a flat, paved route around the Bishop Ranch area (think of a big figure 8) and the volunteers at each mile marker would call out your time. Only downfall on this race was that there were no water stops. Nevertheless, I would totally sign up again. P.S. We got free water bottles from Fleet Feet (one of the sponsors).

Fun! It was well organized and attended. Snacks, drinks and coffee before and after. People…read morecalled out time at each mile. There was one drink station, that was enough. I like my shirt and ornament. Nice way to spend the morning. Kids in strollers and dogs on leash are welcome.

Wow! It seriously amazes me what both my mind and body can achieve. I entered this run simply with…read morethe intent to complete just because it was different to the usual flat Half Marathon's. With an injured knee I didn't expect to even place but ended up walking away with another 1st place medal under my belt. Happy Days! This event was 3 different races: Half Marathon - Very Challenging 10 Km - Challenging 5 Km - Easy Registration: I registered online which was pretty easy, however due to the time on their website being set forward by a few hours I was charged more than I should have been. It's no big deal though as it wasn't a huge amount, just something to keep in mind for future events. Packet pickup was available the day before or on the day, I opted for on the day and upon arrival discovered it was a fraction under 1 mile from the parking so before I had even started the event I had done almost 3 miles. The Course: The Half Marathon course was indeed a challenge. Not so much the incline's and decline's but the course. With the exception of about 2% of it which was tarmac road it was all dirt, rocks, sand and mud so being very agile was a must. One wrong step and you could seriously injure yourself and on some parts of the trail end up falling down the side of the Mountain into a ditch (There is no real definition of a Mountain but given the height many will class Castle Rock as one as it reaches almost 3,000 feet). This run confirmed something to me and that was I seem to excel at uphill running, downhill however is not my friend. With the uneven surface and loose rocks downhill is a real challenge not to loose your footing. Teamed with a knee injury the impact was incredibly painful in some parts. My advice - don't play the bad ass if you have an injury. Around mile 6 was when it hit me, the track became very narrow and went from uphill to very steep downhill and took you off into woodland where you were going over rocks, tree stumps and vine. I honestly thought I might have to pull out at the next aid station and had to limp for around 2 miles until the Aspirin kicked in letting a couple of people overtake me. The views were however worth it. From the top of Castle Rock you could see for miles, it really was breathtaking in more ways than one. Aid Stations: There were just 2 for the entire course and were located at 2.6 and 7.1 miles stocked with water, sports drink, snacks (Cookies, Chips, Trail Mix ect) and energy gels. Post Race: Post race awards were given for various age groups along with drinks and snacks for everybody to refuel. Drinks included Soda (no Diet or Zero. Boo!), Sports drink and chilled water with snacks of Cinnamon Rolls, Brownies, Chips, Trail Mix, Candy, Cookies and Orange slices. Nothing really took my fancy and it would have been nice to have some Banana's for everybody as they're both my pre and post run snack of choice. I could have probably fought somebody' for a Banana and chilled glass of Milk or Bowl of Greek Yogurt, instead I had to wait until I got home. T-Shirts: These are quite nice, I did like the Red color but would have loved a Pink one like last years. II'm just not sure of the quality as once I finished the run I noticed that mixed with sweat (I know.. sexy, right?) the color had ran and turned the white straps of my Camelbak pink to match the rest of it. Would I do this race again? Hell yeah! It was a good event, well organised and clearly marked out.

I'm a huge fan of the shorter Zoom races that Coastal Trail Runs puts on. The majority of their…read moreraces are on gravel, crushed rock or dirt trail and my joints are so grateful! Also, the races are typically more low key than other options ...so parking, registration lines, and race traffic are never issues. And the noise level is minimal... other races commonly have music volumes that are uncomfortably loud. Check them out!

I've run a couple of their races. The 12 hour New Years run was well organized. I wasn't a huge fan…read moreof the ankle bracelet trackers that just look like you're on house arrest. The Zombie Half Marathon has some great views of SF and goes along the coast nearly the entire time. The signage was mediocre and I felt lost more than a couple times. Every time there's a fork in the road they seem to just put a sign in the middle of the fork which is just confusing. In addition, there were long stretches through residential areas that were barely marked. While this wasn't the worst trail marking job I've seen, its definitely not the best. Also not a huge fan of their shirt designs.

Distance: Half Marathon…read more + Easy sign up. + On the day packet pick up. + Low registration fees. + Medals for all finishers. + Beautiful course. + Multiple distances available. - Not enough signage for the course. - No 1st, 2nd and 3rd in age group awards. (Not that I was Running for that but would have been nice). - Post Race refreshments kind of ''eh''. Dry Bagels, Apples and Oranges slices with Granola bars. NO BANANA!! :( I signed up for this last minute to pace with a friend that was Running for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and really glad I did as the course was beautiful and a nice one to round off the season. I wasn't Running for time but to prove to myself I can show restraint and not have to PR or place in my age group every time I run. Funny that even restraining myself from Running flat out ''balls to the wall'' I still placed first in my age group and 3rd overall. Yahoo! This old shortie still has it. A great run that is fairly small in size, all of the volunteers were really nice and encouraging, especially the Ladies at around the 12 mile mark. A race I would consider doing again next year. If you want to donate to this Charity and my friends fundraiser (greatly appreciated if you do) you can do so here: http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=3882&pg=personal&px=8476668

The course for the Race to the Flagpole half marathon is about 45% an out-and-back, which only…read morerunners of the half did, and about 45% the 10K course. The start and finish areas are in Livermore's Independence Park; all runners do the same first and last 3/4 mile or so. On leaving Independence Park runners follow a trail that takes them to Sycamore Grove Park. 10K runners enter it for their run, while half marathon runners pass it by, taking trails paralleling roads through hundreds of acres of vineyards, up into the hills east of Livermore. The trail is twofold - paved trail paralleled by packed dirt trail (watch for equine "landmines"). "Up into hills" means climbing. None are super steep, but it's 2-3 miles of mostly uphill, with some short flat or downhill stretches between individual hills. And then back down again, turning into Sycamore Grove Park to do the 10K course. The 10K course is an elongated figure-8 using trails in the park. These run past vineyards, through oak, eucalyptus, and (surprise!) sycamore groves, past an olive orchard, alongside and over a creek. To me, this, the 10K course, was the more beautiful part of a generally beautiful course. Most of the trail was dirt access road, with perhaps 3/4 of a mile of paved trail (with a packed dirt shoulder). The terrain is mostly gently rolling, with one short hill well worth calling a hill. * Overall, race organization and production were very well done. There were aspects that could be improved, and aspects that were nicer than I expected from a small, local, charity race (two Livermore area high schools' athletic programs). * Easy registration with no service fee tacked onto the registration price, nice for the budget. * Speaking of budget, the $45 registration fee is really low! * This was the first race I've been in (more than 30) that did not send a race instructions email. Much of what is typically in such emails - parking, check-in - was on the mail-in registration form, but I registered online. I found it the day before the race. Race instructions can be an email or a webpage, but if the latter, it should be easy to find. * The course maps are a bit klutzy, a map of the out-and-back section of half marathon, and a map for the 10K, with text showing where half runners go onto the 10K course. Not very user-friendly. There were no elevation profile charts. * Parking was free. The lot got pretty full half or a full hour before start time. * Packet pick-up was race day only, and getting bibs and T-shirts were separate steps. Both were quick for me, and I didn't see a line for either. * There was a color guard from the local VFW post and a singer who led the "Star Spangled Banner". * Both start and finish were chip-timed. * Course marking was OK. There were quite a few stationary course monitors, and quite a few, very helpful, monitors on bicycle. Going astray required being inattentive (which I was at one point; I was corrected within 20 yards by a nearby monitor). A few chalk markings or traffic cones to indicate, "Don't go this way," would improve this. * Aid stations were water only, and there were quite a few. I probably passed water stations 8 times (some twice). I think I heard sloshing sounds as I walked somewhere around mile 10 or 11. * I was the last to finish the half, and when I did there were no food tables or food. On the other hand, well-laden food tables had been in the area before the start, and I had availed myself of some. Having food available to the very end would have been nice, but only 54 did the half marathon. So I have no problem with the lack of food tables at the very end. * By the time I finished they had also run out of finisher's medals. The person in charge apologized profusely, explained, and got my bib number. I was told to expect a medal in the mail in 2-3 weeks. They had received MANY more late and race day registrations than anticipated. I have no problem AT ALL with this consequence of a community supporting a charity race beyond the expectations of the race planners! T-shirt: Light gray cotton T with the race logo (runners approaching a sycamore tree with an American flag in the background, very attractive), race name, year, and distances on the front, and sponsors' logos on the back. Finisher's medal: I looked at the finisher's medal, briefly, before race start. It's an off-the-shelf medallion with laurel leaves circling a center with a printed insert. Goodies: Before race start I saw coffee, bottled water, cut up bagels with cream cheese, muffins, fruit strips, cereal bars, cut up oranges, and uncut Fuji apples. Because there were no elevation profiles I did not prepare for this race as I might have, knowing it was fairly hilly. Just past mile 1 I saw far enough ahead to throttle back a little and finish with a time that had me appropriately satisfied and tired. The 2015 Race to the Flagpole was mostly well-organized, with a beautiful course. I would consider doing this race again.