Just finished the Color Run 5K this morning. This is an untimed (no clock) run, starting at Dignity…read moreHealth Sports Park, and runs around there and on part of the campus at CSU Dominguez Hills. I ran it with my son (we took about three steps together at the start before he took off and finished WAY before me ). If you are a "serious runner", know that this event is very low key. Lots of families, first time runners, strollers. I appreciate people getting out and doing an active event like this, but if you are looking for a "race" and some of the other elements of competitive races, it's not the same. I did okay, my pace was better than earlier this week, so I am happy. I realized I like running with the community - it made it fun. I also felt more confident during this run, although it was hot. The course itself was varied and interesting - I liked running through Dignity Health Park and also through the building that houses the new Velodrome (there was a cyclist on it when I went through). They had one water station (bottled) and many restrooms along the way. The color powder is thrown at you maybe every half mile or so - different colors each time, but lots of blue/green powder used. I wore sunglasses and put my color run microfiber over my face when I ran through, and made sure my mouth was closed. You also run through a foam/bubble section at the very end. No joke, it does get everywhere! After the race, there was powder even under my shirt and through two layers of socks. Good tip to bring a towel and maybe a change of clothes for after. There were lots of freebies and vendors on site for the duration of the event. I would say some runners enjoyed that part the most! There was also a beer garden for 21+...just across from the starting line, some runners hit the beer garden FIRST and THEN started their run! Parking is $20 and we got there early (like 7am) so no issues - parked close to the starting line. My goal is to keep going - what should I run next?

This is true definition of fun run…read more Color Run Los Angeles was held in Stubhub Center in Carson. Race began at 9am and waves of runners begin every few minutes until 9:45. There's lots of food trucks and vendors here. I registered online ahead of time and paid $35 plus $15 shipping of my goodies which includes my bib number, 'HAPPY' tattoo, and headband. There were lots of goodies thrown into the crowd at the starting line. The course begins at the parking lot and you run around the stubhub center. I ran a lap on the track course, through arenas and such. Colored powder is thrown at you during the run. There were two water stations during the run. At the finish line, you get a medal and a bag of color run powder so you can throw some more after the race. There's no clock anywhere so you have to keep track of your own time. There was also free neutrogena face mask (battery operated) which was free ($40 value). I also got a free bag of bath salt. There is free tattoo booth and it was a lot of fun. Funnest race ever and will register next time.

Got this run through zozi ..thanks for the active life and cheaper runs…read more No fee for parking. Score!!! Pretty easy packet pickup. Look up your number sign and go. Was able to exchange my tech shirt for a smaller size. The 'packet' pickup was a breeze. So cool!!!! :) Can't wait for tonight. 3.1 miles of glowing madness, a huge screen, and edc like type of music? Sign me up again! The only thing is that - if you're a walker - can we stay in a single file so people can pass through? There were places where it was easy to pass and not have to say excuse me, then there were the trail parts where walkers were blocking people. AND there should be a wave for runners, joggers, woggers (walk/jog) and walkers. There were people who were just walkers, which is fine. :) Just be courteous of those behind ya that want to jog :)

What a fun way to gather a group of friends and RUN for 3.1 miles!! The Firefly Run is truly unique…read morein the sense that it's occurs at night, there's fun & motivating electronic music playing all night, and runners are dressed like fireflies! No really....there are runners that are dressed in wings, glow-in-the-dark necklaces, bracelets, wigs, neon this and neon that. It's a party run!!! Hosted at the Home Depot Center in the city of Carson, for my first 5K, this was very exciting! The entire event was extremely organized. From the parking attendants, to finding your name, filling out waivers, getting your bib number, free t-shirt, and all other materials that you may have bought. There were plenty of visible volunteers that were more than eager to help you out in case you were blinded by all the neon lights and giant LED screen....Anyways....Pre-Registration occurred online but if you wanted to register that night, there was an area designated for that. The course starts in the parking lot and guides you all around the Home Depot Center. The highlight of it all was being able to run through the stadium where the LA Galaxy play. The light shines down on the field and kind of created this magical ambience. Many runners stopped to take Instagram selfies. After all the runners cross the finish line, the fun doesn't stop there. There's a costume contest that's actually pretty cool because you get to see all the creative and kooky things that people come up with. Prize was a Go Pro!!! What am I going to dress up as next Firefly Run?????? The ONLY thing that sucked was the food vendors ripping you off after the run. TEN DOLLARS for 3 tacos and a soda??? TEN DOLLARS for a small tray of carne asada fries??? I'd rather load up on 10 bananas that they pass out for free after you cross the finish line!!! Other than that, I had the most fun running with my Team Scrambled Legs. I got the best of everything...a good run, good music, good company. A great way to spend a Friday night. When's the next 5K? Sign me up!!!!

So this is my original review of the Pirates Run, which back in 2015 was first called the Rum Run…read more5K. Since Yelp won't combine them, for whatever reason, and they won't change the category from "Aquarium" to "Active Life," I'm posting it here and removing it from the Rum Run, which has only my review anyway. I'll then write an update since I have run them for two years. Originally written in 2015, for the inaugural: Aaaargh! Drink up, me hearties, yo ho! The eye-patched, pirate-themed Rum Run 5K was a blast. (Themed runs usually are.) This run was my first along Long Beach's new Beach Pedestrian Path, by the way, and it's kind of cool! I don't mean to disparage anyone, but I'm sure that having the new pedestrian path--and it's about 3 miles long--makes the bikers happy. (They've tended to believe that the original path was built solely in their honor.) Now everyone can be happy...for the moment, anyway. What was very cool about this 5K was not only the red Rum Run T-shirts ("The Shining" fans probably caught that), but the pirate-themed eye patches that each runner received as well. Nice touch! Detail is everything! And the fact that random runners--21 and up--were also surprised with free bottles of rum was another treasure! Now THAT'S quite a perk! There was also a skull-and-crossbones "pirate village" of sorts that runners wound through; and, afterwards, if you were so inclined, you may stay awhile and check out the event, take-in a few of the bountiful wares being sold and offered by fellow scoundrels. And why not, really? You get a little exercise along one of our beautiful beaches, making for a great event and a fun time for everyone. So Rum Run 5K and Long Beach's Pirates who promoted it, five stars and a hearty Yo-Ho!

SoCal Pirates Run 5k is organized by Caren Ware, who is a National Champion and world class…read moreathlete, a USA Track & Field Level II Coach. The race itself can be a real race, or fun race depending on how you want to do it. The race is 5k, and chip timed, and you get all the things that come with a real race, which is age group awards, time/pace at the end of the race, and your time doesnt start until you cross the start line ( so ignore the crowd etc). ITs also a fun activity for familis, as its at the beach, and everyone is encouraged to wear costumes. ITs at Bolsa CHica Beach, so if you live close by it could be a family/fun activity. Unlike most races, this is on a Saturday which I absolutely love, Most races are on sunday, which means you have to spend entire saturday worrying about the race day, but this one can be super casual! The medals were beautiful! and this particular race, I saw lot of kids run the race, and a 3 year old got a medal for his under 6 age group - the most adorable thing! and every one gets a finisher medal, which I am all in support of! that is how every race should be! It costs about 35$s, but you can look up discount codes, and also sign up old school skipping internet, and save money on processing fee. Being an Athelete, I think Caren has the most relaxing policy with bib pickups. You can pick up on the day of the race (yay!), and if you pick up the day before you can pick up for others in your party with little proof(Yay again!). The tshirts we got were cute, and so were the beverage cozy!. All in all, its a fun easy race, and if you are doing serious races, take a time off and do it, and its such a nice little break - everything you want in a race + fun!(No beer tho, being state beach and no alcohol policy.. !)

Definitely my second favorite 10K(second to Firecracker Run) Amazing elevations,crowd,beach view…read moreand course! I love it although there is no medal but the shirt was pretty with a beautiful MB pier portrait. New PR with one full bladder break at mile 2. I wasn't prepared for the fast rising temperature at all. I would run this again!

This is a Manhattan Beach tradition that began in 1978 when a few local residents decided to put…read moretogether a race for MB. It is always held on the Saturday morning of the annual Hometown Fair (early October) and is the one road race I really look forward to every year. Having grown up in MB, this is easily my favorite run all year. There are 2 starting lines, one on Ardmore and the other on Valley (I prefer the south starting area). It's a very festive starting area with a great band comprised of senior citizens playing live music. The start time is 7:30 and both starting groups merge around the police station. You run through several different MB neighborhoods after a brief run through the downtown area on Highland, and the streets are lined with local residents cheering you on. This is really nice because I quickly get bored after anything longer than 3 miles and the constant stimuli is a welcome attention grabber. There are a couple of rock bands playing throughout the course, and one band that plays calypso music at around the halfway point. I even see my 10th grade biology teacher at the same spot every year! (Did I mention this is my favorite race?) Overall, this is a well organized and fun race, especially if you live or grew up in the area. It is fairly flat with a couple of small hills in the beginning and one moderate incline at around mile 4.5, going past the National Guard Armory on Bell Ave and up Rosecrans. It's worth the effort, though, because the last mile or so is fast and flat on the Strand as you finish right by the Manhattan Beach Pier. The only thing that could be improved is registering for this race. There is no race day registration, so if you think you may not be able to attend until last minute and were thinking of just signing up at the race, it is not an option. You can register online but that deadline is a week before race day. Lastly, you can register in person but it is only at the MB Village Runner location. It would be nice if they let you register at the other Village Runner in Redondo Beach. Having said that, it's still not enough to make me take off a star. Note: this course appears to be just a touch too long. My Nike running app's GPS consistently measures it at 10,075 meters (6.26 miles).

I used to participate every year when there was still a marathon and the race started and ended at…read morethe Point Fermin Lighthouse. I returned in 2018 because it was now part of the Lexus LaceUp Running Series. Currently, the distances that they offer are 5k, 10k, and half marathon. I ran the half marathon. The race now starts and ends at the Pelican Cove Park just West of the Terranea Resort. *Parking* For parking, they have 3 locations: Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall, Salvation Army College, and Point Vicente Interpretive Center. Each of the locations are close enough to walk, but they'll have shuttles going around to pick-up and drop-off people. *Course* It was beautiful and just as hilly as I remembered it to be! Most of course was kept in the residential area about a stone's throw from the ocean just off of the main Palos Verdes Dr. Be sure to do your hill training or else be prepared to suffer! They even have a short steep section just after mile 10 that was a timed hill challenge. The fastest male and female will each win $500. Overall it was a well organized race. Although the race had a few quirks such as confusing separate starting lines, I liked the improvements that they've made with this race. The packet pick-up was quick and they had plenty of portapotties. Gear check was a bit chaotic as they were swamped with runners dropping off bags all at the same time. One of the bright spots with these Lexus LaceUp races was the post race food from the food trucks! That was some good quality food all included in your race registration!

If you are a new half marathon runner don't do this one first :) if you want to run a marathon or…read morehalf marathon thats a little more challenging this is for you! I ran the 2010 event, it was my third half marathon ever. I will do it again next year. It's gorgeous, my bum and legs are still feeling the hills. They had yummy coffee and fruit at the start and finsh, and it had a very intimate feel. The parking was a bitch. The restroom line was long. That didn't matter though because i loved the run! Must add this to your run list. See you there in 2011!

I had the honor of adding to a gender reveal event held at their event space. Close bathrooms nice…read morelarge room if tables are spaced properly. Here is a display I create for the event Instagram.com/goldenfoxcrafts

It felt really refreshing spending time at Harbor City Recreation Center when I visited with…read moresomeone, because the whole place has this open, energetic atmosphere that teenagers would enjoy a lot. The fields and courts looked so inviting, and I noticed right away how many teenagers were hanging out there, playing basketball, skating around, or just relaxing with their friends in a way that made the whole area feel lively and welcoming. What surprised me the most was how easy it was to move from one activity to another without anything feeling crowded or rushed, which makes it a perfect spot for teenagers who like having space to be active and creative. Even though I had been aware of this recreation center before, I didn't realize how much there was to appreciate until I walked around and saw how naturally people were having fun there. I really liked how comfortable it felt to just enjoy the environment without any pressure, and how the whole place seemed designed for people to make their own kind of fun. I never doubted that the experience was going to turn out the way I hoped it would. I only visited Harbor City Recreation Center one time in my life before making this review, but it stood out to me as one of the most enjoyable and easygoing public spaces I've been to in a long time, and I would highly recommend that even teenagers go there because it gives them a place to play, hang out, stay active, and feel free to be themselves.

This is a for fun walk/race, no legit timing and no race divisions... just for the love of…read morecommunity and to honor Harry Sutter. You will even see several people dressed in costumes. The entry fee will get you a sweat shirt and an excuse to run before you eat a lot of food later in the day. I enjoy this race because I tend to see a lot of locals and everyone is happy because it's a blessed day. The course is flat, so no excuses, get out and run people! They also have a nice raffle at the end of the race/walk. The event starts at 8am, and the raffle is at 9:15, so you are not giving up too much of your day.

Entry fee varies from $25-$35 depending on how early you sign up. Entry fee includes a number…read morebibb, shirt, and a raffle ticket. They give away gift certificates to a number of businesses and bikes. If you just show up you can run/walk it for FREE.

The gold standard for LA running clubs. Structure, coaching, community, fun. It's got it allread more

I'd give the South Bay Runners six stars if they allowed me too. This is the best group of people…read moreto run with. Everyone is so friendly and the coaching at the Tuesday Night track nights is awesome! For the very reasonable price of $50 a year you have access to great coaches and a great community to run with. You will not only become a better runner but you will make a lot of good friends too. If you have been sitting on the couch and wanting to get in shape, or get back in shape to run a 5k or 10k or beyond, or just wanting to get some exercise, check out the Southbay Runners.