Never pictured myself running 3 miles drenched in mud and lake water...but it happened at the…read moreMerrell's Down and Dirty obstacle race this past weekend at the Folsom Lake State Recreation center. If you drive a Subaru, you get a VIP parking pass which entitles you to park near the race area. I received an email stating that if you drive your Subaru, parking would be free. This was NOT the case and we forked over $12! UGH. I picked up my race packet that morning, which included my bib number, a sample sized Larabar, Merrell's Down and Dirty tech shirt and cap and a trial sized Paul Mitchell shampoo bottle. I noticed several people opted to participate in the brick division, by carrying a backpack of bricks through the courses. Much respect to them! Several others had full blown costumes like superheroes or Halloween themed outfits. This race puts you up to the ultimate challenge - a 3.1 mile test of physical endurance and strength by completing over 10 obstacles. These included climbing over walls, scaling a 24 foot cargo net, jumping over logs, crawling through mud pits, carrying sandbags and trekking through the lake. The biggest challenge was conquering "heartbreak hill" and walking up it was tough! My quads started burning after the first half mile going up the hill and walking down wasn't any easier! Thank goodness they had water stations at every mile. I received a Merrell Down and Dirty Dog tag for completing the course. Photo ops were available right next to the finish line and at the 'Mud hand print' mural. To rinse off, we went through an inflatable Subaru car wash station, but it wasn't effective. A hose station was nearby and people worked in teams to wash the mud off each other. Make sure to bring black plastic garbage bags for the car ride home, towels and extra clothes! A charity group also went around to see if participants wanted to donate their shoes toward homeless families. The race partners with Operation Gratitude, who sends care packages to U.S service members overseas. Thumbs up for this race! A few battlewounds - scrapes on my knees and splinters from the cargo net rope (Mental note to wear gloves next time) but was well worth it for a great cause and fun time!

It's a good thing I was too lazy to drive to Folsom on Saturday for packet pick-up. I read that it…read morewas a disaster. On race day, the wait was less than a minute. I love the shirt- greenish blue with an owl on it. The start and finish line was at Rodeo Park. Runners cross four bridges (Willow Creek Bridge, Old Railroad Car Bridge, Hazel Avenue Bridge, and Walker Bridge) on the course that circles Lake Natoma. Trolls lurk under the four bridges but I didn't see any when I crossed my bridge. Many runners dress in costume, with the best Halloween outfit earning an award. I'm not sure what the award was or how they determine who has the best outfit. I did the three-person half marathon relay. The relay legs are 3.7 miles, 4.1 miles and 5.3 miles. I lucked out by doing the first leg. Runners in the first leg run through the historic district of Folsom (downhill) and onto a bike trail. While on the bike trail, there was a deer that ran past us. I thought it was a wolf at first. Yes, I have an overactive imagination. My relay exchange point was a little past the first bridge. The course was scenic but I didn't like the small elevation changes. I can't complain too much though, since the person doing the last leg not only has to do the most mileage but they also have to run uphill toward the end of the run. There wasn't a shuttle service for relay runners, so I was a little worried about that. The three of us shuttled each other back and forth. It was easier than I thought it was going to be, and the directions that were given to us were clear. After crossing the finish line, runners can refuel with water, fruits (apples, bananas, oranges), Power Bar Energy Blasts, and a variety of muffins (Entenmann's Little Bites, Otis Spunkmeyer, and Uncle Wally's). I would like to make one suggestion- individual times for each person in the relay!

My first time running this race, and didn't look at the course when I signed up. The last mile is…read morea switchback fight to the finish, with a net elevation gain of about 150 ft. if I'm not mistaken. Not an easy race, but certainly not as hard as the ones in san francisco. This race takes place on Halloween or the Sunday before it I believe. There are four bridges that you cross as you run the race and there are "trolls" and other dressed up people rooting for you as you cross them. It isn't as large as some of the other races in Sacramento (think CIM) but there's still a lot of participants. The crowd support is less than other races due to the fact that most of the race goes along the bike trail and Lake Natoma, not allowing access for people to cheer. I suppose the only thing I didn't like about the race is the fact that the wave start was confusing. The announcer didn't announce the waves and to this day I'm not sure if I started of with the first wave or the second wave. Finishers get a medal and a shirt, and the usual goodies. Overall: pretty race, challenging course, confusing start, nice shirt. I'd run it again.

Formerly based in Las Vegas, but now in Reno, Desert Sky Adventures is a race directing company…read morethat still manages several races here in Vegas. I've volunteered at their races with family and friends as well as participated in almost all of them over the years since DSA started. The events that are part of their Las Vegas schedule throughout the year: -4th of July 5K Blast -Las Vegas Wobble Before You Gobble 5K -Pilgrims Rock 5K/10K/Half Marathon, now know as the Dirty Bird for 2016 -Summerlin Half Marathon -Las Vegas Wildland Fire Awareness 5K and Half Marathon -Skye Canyon 8K Trail Mix/5K Road This company is run by ultramarathoner Molly Sheridan and her family of runners, so you should feel confident that DSA events are well-organized and created from experience. Their events are for all levels, as well, from the beginner to the experienced ultra-runner. Never feel like you're too slow or aren't a "runner;" DSA events are walker-friendly. From her own experience of racing, Ms. Sheridan knows what participants want and need in events and Desert Sky Adventures caters to those, from goodie bags with race t-shirts, stocked aid stations along the courses with plenty of volunteers, to cool finisher medals, your walk/run experience at one of their events will be a fun one. Check out http://desertskyadventures.com/ for more info on events and get moving!

Desert Sky Adventures offers great races that are well marked and planned. The best two races that…read morewere a lot of fun in Reno were the Dirty Wookie Run in October and the Reno Run for Love. Always a great supportive atmosphere with smiling faces. I would definitely recommend these runs for people of all levels.

Spartan races are known for being extremely challenging whether you're running a sprint, super, or…read morebeast race but the World Championship event in Lake Tahoe takes it up to another level...... literally since the location starts over 4000 ft of elevation. The course is designed to push the limits of the elite athletes that earned the chance to compete for the world championship by placing in the top 5 of other elite races throughout the year. With a course that's tough for the best of the best you can imagine how brutal it was for us regular folks. The first 7 miles was pretty much all up hill, then another brutal 2 mile incline toward the last 4 miles of the course. I said to myself during and after the race that I wouldn't attempt to do this race again, but as time goes on I'll probably forget how exhausted I was and end up coming back next year to chase another trifecta. Even though this was longer that a typical beast (16.5 miles instead of 12-14) most of the mud & water obstacles were at the beginning part of the course so by the end of the race you're pretty much dried off & don't need to rinse off as much as you do at other Spartan races. Parking ended up being free for once & the shower/changing area were actually on a paved area so you aren't changing on a dirt floor for once.

The event was very well run. The energy was great. Everything seemed organized and it was fun for…read morenot only the runners, but the spectators. PROS: CHALLENGING - If you sign up for Spartan you are looking for a challenge, this race is one of the most challenging! RACE VIEWS - 6+ obstacles you could watch near the festival. Also Air tram will take you up the mountain to for gorgeous views and more obstacles (2019 it was not running due to weather) ACTIVITIES/BOOTHS - Fun athletic competitions for prizes and many booths offering samples and information on products. ORGANIZED - Clear where to go and lots of people happy to help. Even parking was easy and free. SAFE - Saw a lot of safety precautions and staff around SHOPS - Surrounded by stores (with sales for event), lots of places to eat and grab coffee. COFFEE - multiple coffee shops, one over looking the race events so you can sit out side and watch the Spartan Race with your coffee. VIEWS - Beautiful views, even as a spectator you can enjoy walking around all day. CONS: WEATHER - no real complaints about the event, weather is out of the events control, however it was very unfortunate many racers got kicked off the course due to near by lightening and some of the obstacles where shut down when the race reopened. Still a great event, but good to keep in mind weather could be an issue.

Okay at best. Charged $20 for parking. Lame. Not worth the price. Not organized well.read more

I do several mud runs a year, and this one was one of the best. It would have been a little better…read moreif they wet the parking area to reduce the dust storms, but the obstacle course was great, and well planned out. I plan on doing this one again when it rolls around. Next time I'll be sure to bring my little one.

4.5 / 5 Great…read moreevent!! Tony and the Fleet Feet crew really did a great event with this event from responding to emails right down to giving me an extra medal for Run buddy and my Running Club VIP tent access. + Nice swag bags with color specific tech shirts for Male / Female + Medals for all finishers + Awards + 2 Wine pours for each finisher + VIP tent with unlimited pours and extra snacks. + Punctual start + Pacers from the Tri Valley Running Club (another I am a member off and almost paced the the event myself) The run itself was a bit of an odd one for me.. the course was all road which I was totally unprepared for but made it great for a new PR. The first mile I had a few wardrobe malfunctions - My hydration vest was bouncing about so I had to re-adjust it and then my Pandora kept cutting out every 60 seconds so I spent a good 10-12 minutes playing with that trying to fix it. I swear the Runners behind me must have thought I was already on the Wine because I was I all over the place! Once adjusted thought and found my ''happy pace'' all was good and I spent about 6 miles right behind another members of Mountain House Running Club. The course marshals and volunteers at the Aid Station were great and full of energy encouraging us all as we paced though. I'm not sure if he was a volunteer but right around the 12:75 mile mark there was one guy who really encouraging me as I sped down the home straight.. not going to lie, I was really feeling the many miles of asphalt (trail runner here) and getting pretty tired so his enthusiastic cheers gave me that last little push I needed to get across that Finish Line. I really am not a road Runner but overall this event was great and I will likely do again.. The whole experience was made better by the fact that I was here with an awesome group of supportive people.

I have done Eppie's Great Race for the past 3 years and I'm already planning for my 4th year. I…read morealways like doing this triathlon because I'm always trying to beat my PR and my team PR each year. There are three legs-- run, bike, and kayak in that order. The only leg that has water station is the running portion so bring water for all other legs. The run and bike course is fairly flat. There are only 3 hills and one downhill on the run course. This is a race for any age and any athletic level. Since there are team options, it's really fun doing this with friends. Let's talk about the medal. This is what makes races worth it, right? The medal has been getting significantly smaller and smaller each year. The design has completely changed since the past 2 years and is just a simple white small medal. The medal was given BEFORE we completed the race and was in my race packet this year. The glory of the medal is not as significant anymore. I like receiving my medal as I cross the finish line. Shirts also got more plain and thinner material. For a race that can cost up to $400 for a team, I'm a little confused on why they cut costs on medals and shirts. I have always done a team triathlon but I'm planning to do ironwoman next year. This race may just passed but training begins already for next year!

If you are looking for a really fun triathlon, Eppies Great Race is for you. It's at a fabulous…read morelocation, great energy and amazing people! This is the only triathlon that doesn't make you swim... " no swim triathlon." Lots of teams are out there. Lots of different age groups. So much fun!!!

My men got a thrill driving a Lamborghini, did launches in the Nissan GTR and sat in their Ferrari…read more Who doesn't love these sexy cars? They drove on a autocross course, small track .. you could stay in second gear the whole time it's so small. There's a place you can sit under a tent to stay away from the sun. Very kind staff.

After seeing a Groupon deal for LTF I treated my Husband to their 6 laps package which was $99…read more(Normally $249) And as he had wanted to drive a Lamborghini for decades was really excited. We expected to come to a track yet were actually greeted by some strange set up in a parking lot which was really weird and somewhat disappointing. The event is held one weekend each month and you need to book in advance, when you arrive on the day basically you just wait in line until it's your turn. There is a big turnout and my Husband got to drive about 40 minutes after his scheduled time. You're out with one of the instructed divers for the entire of the laps with the first one you're not allowed to go over a certain speed just to make sure you know what you're doing then they encourage you to ''open it up'' as much as you can throughout the laps, which is fun yet somewhat limited to do the size restrictions of the track itself which is marked out by cones. Despite the slight disappointment my Husband still had a great time, after weeks of working insane hours it was nice to see him come away with a smile and knowing that he finally got to something he had wanted to for so long. Aside from the Lamborghini Gallardo they also have a Porsche 911 and Ferrari.

I was interested in getting into karting but had no idea where to start. I stopped by Cashed Out…read moreRacing and the guys there were awesome. They took the time to answer all my questions and explain what I actually needed without making me feel rushed or pressured. I ended up buying a kart and couldn't be happier. Their support after the sale has been just as good as the first day I walked in. Definitely recommend supporting this local shop!

Jake's is awesome. Rented his carts at Spring Mountain Racing. He got us set up and was very…read moreaccommodating.

Mountain Family Circle puts on the best race in Northern California…read more There is a Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k distance available for all ages. There is no time limit for any of the races. The Marathon is a Boston Qualifier race. The overall number of participants for all 3 races is kept to a much smaller field than you will see elsewhere. Dogs are allowed to participate in any of the 3 distances along with their human counterparts. This race is a community event and it shows. The aid stations along the course are themed and staffed by fantastic volunteers that cheer for all the runners. The course is picturesque and mostly flat. My dog and I have run the Half Marathon the last 2 years and intend to keep coming back year after year in support of such a great cause.

Mountain Circle Family Services puts on an amazing fundraiser with their annual Running with the…read moreBears Races. I've participated as a racer in both the marathon and half-marathon distances. The race course is picturesque and the support is unmatched by any other race I've done. Water stops hosted by community groups and a hoedown like no other add to the many other reasons why this is an amazing race and event. When you run this race, you become a part of something larger. A family of individuals sprinkled across the globe. You will get support well before you show up to pick-up your packet. Although this is a small town race, the various course options ensure there is something for everyone and racers of ALL calibers. Those who are looking for a challenge will definitely find one here if they go looking. Did I mention this is a Boston qualifier? If you are thinking about running a race, think no more, do this one. But hurry up and get your registration in. They tend to book up fast.