Looking for more SoCal races to run, any ideas locals?

[Mommy2NicknMax]

I am tired of waiting between big races for another race to come. So I am looking for some more local races here in SoCal. They can be 10K and up (I prefer 1/2 and full). So far I've come up with Los Alamitos Race at the Base 10K and Knott's Berry Farm Coaster Run 10K. I'm trying to find a race per month but will likely exclude the summer months since it gets really hot and gross here (chewy summer air, yum ). Any locals have some favorites they can share? I'm not looking for the obvious big ones (OC, LA, Long Beach, etc). More the off the beaten path (cheaper ) races.

Thanks all!

[fairestoneofall]

We use raceplace.com

ETA: I'm doing the Vakentine's 10K next weekend on Coronado Island and a St. Patty's Day 10K on Mission Bay. DH is registered for the La Jolla Half in April and America's Finest City Half in August.

[adriennek]

Have you checked out the Palos Verdes Half Marathon? It used to be a full but it looks like they've cut it down to just a half. It shouldn't be too warm - May mornings in PV are usually overcast.

I haven't done it yet but it's been on my list of maybes because I grew up there.

[swanie]

It's just a 10K but the Redondo Beach 10K is an awesome fun race... http://www.redondo10k.com/ Growing up, I lived on the course and I swear its why I've always wanted to run. Its always Super Bowl Sunday but its going on it's 34th year and I have to say...the costumes are pretty legendary. One year I remember waking up to the Rocky theme blaring outside and seeing a school bus and a six pack of beer running by.

[fairestoneofall]

Hannahbelle and I are registering for the Run Like A Diva Half in San Fran. They have them all over.

[MidwayManiac]

I am tired of waiting between big races for another race to come. So I am looking for some more local races here in SoCal. They can be 10K and up (I prefer 1/2 and full). So far I've come up with Los Alamitos Race at the Base 10K and Knott's Berry Farm Coaster Run 10K. I'm trying to find a race per month but will likely exclude the summer months since it gets really hot and gross here (chewy summer air, yum ). Any locals have some favorites they can share? I'm not looking for the obvious big ones (OC, LA, Long Beach, etc). More the off the beaten path (cheaper ) races.

Thanks all!

The Brea 8k the last Sunday in February is a great event. I've been hooked ever since I ran my first one 3 years ago. I'm registered this year and, barring injury, I'll be back each time it's staged. While i prefer 10k's or 1/2's, this 8k is plenty challenging. There's no flat on this course at all. The post race festivities are usually voted "best in the OC" what with all the restaurants in and around Brea Mall hosting booths and giving away food.

Another one I don't miss is the Fontana Days Run 1/2 Marathon first Saturday in June. Fontana, blah, I know, but bear with me. It's hailed as "the fastest 1/2 in the world" because it's ALL downhill or flat. At one point I believe it may have held the world record. It's one way ... They bus you up to Lytle (sp?) Creek and you run 13.1 back down into downtown Fontanta. I typically run in hour and forties range but pulled off a PR 1:33:00 at Fontana. You used to be able to register raceday for this one but it sells out well in advance anymore. This will be about the 57th annual I believe.

I dont have my calendar in front of me so I'll check later what I got pencilled in March April May, but these are two can't miss races for me. They're both very well organized, affordable (Brea is about $30 and Fontana 1/2 is $45), and fun.

[fairestoneofall]

Hello? You've got my interest. I never thought I'd say I was interested in running in Fontana.

[stan4d_steph]

Hannahbelle and I are registering for the Run Like A Diva Half in San Fran. They have them all over.

That one is actually down on the Peninsula, not in SF proper. I ran one of those in Long Island, NY. It was fun, but I don't know that I'll do it again.

[fairestoneofall]

That one is actually down on the Peninsula, not in SF proper. I ran one of those in Long Island, NY. It was fun, but I don't know that I'll do it again.

You're correct about the location. I should have said SF area.

[stan4d_steph]

Some other good resources for finding races are Active.com and Runner's World's Race Finder.

I never did any road races when I lived in the area. The new Hollywood half looks interesting; it starts and finishes at Universal Studios.

[fairestoneofall]

Some other good resources for finding races are Active.com and Runner's World's Race Finder.

I never did any road races when I lived in the area. The new Hollywood half looks interesting; it starts and finishes at Universal Studios.

I saw that one on raceplace, too.

ETA: The Fontana Days Half might be out for me. The 13 min/mi pace time might be a stretch for me, even on a fast course.

[MidwayManiac]

Hello? You've got my interest. I never thought I'd say I was interested in running in Fontana.

It's nothing like you envision Fontana a.k.a. Fontucky as it's affectionately called. You spend most your time up in the mountain air, and when you descend down into Fontana proper the street is lined with spectators, cheerers, and law enforcement blocking traffic.

There are races I'll not return to because the course is meh or the organization stinks (those are my main two criteria) but Fontana is nowhere near to being one of them. It's a little on the no frills side far as schwag but keep in mind it is a municipal event. That said, the organizers know what they're doing, are helpful, and the artwork for the logo is usually surprisingly nice. Each year they seem to add aid stations, water, and portable johns, and recently went to chip timing ... the improvements probably have a lot to do with it selling out the last two years. You can take whatever amenities you want in and off the bus up to top (racers wait there approx. an hour) and they have a bag drop that leaves about 20 minutes before the race to bring your stuff back down.

There are events and there are races (and sometimes if you're lucky it's both). Fontana is a OK event, but a great, great race.

ETA: The Fontana Days Half might be out for me. The 13 min/mi pace time might be a stretch for me, even on a fast course.

That seems to fluctuate based on temps. 2009 it was really really cool and everyone flew to the finish so it worked out to be 13 was the max average. 2008 was warmer and the results reflect there were several people came in between 13 and 16 minute averages. I can't find the complete 2010 results, but I remember it was quite warm so I doubt the field finished in under a 13 minute average.

Despite what it may say somewhere I don't think the 13 minutes per mile is a hard and fast thing.

[fairestoneofall]

Good to know. I'm interested in giving it a try. I finished WDW at just over 14 min/mi and my last four were BAD. I still have four months to work on speed, I might give it a try, especially for such an affordable registration price.

[3Princesses1Prince]

Have you checked out the Palos Verdes Half Marathon? It used to be a full but it looks like they've cut it down to just a half. It shouldn't be too warm - May mornings in PV are usually overcast.

I haven't done it yet but it's been on my list of maybes because I grew up there.

My stepdad grew up in PV too.

Hannahbelle and I are registering for the Run Like A Diva Half in San Fran. They have them all over.

I have a friend running that too.

[fairestoneofall]

It's official! I'm a running Diva! San Francisco Bay area here I come!

[MidwayManiac]

The Brea 8k the last Sunday in February is a great event.

This morning was the race. What a cool event. As for the race itself, they altered the course slightly which cut down on a twist and turn or two. Same basic route, though, with the same insane hill climbs.

I race all the time but Ive never seen anything anywhere like the free food giveaways at Brea. There is a cordoned off food court section For Registered Runners Only inside which there are more restaurants than you can shake a stick at. Funny story, I overheard a couple security /event staff complaining about the number of registered runners trying to hand their race bibs outside for others to use to cheat their way in.

Anyway, until you attend the event perhaps you just dont get it as Ive been trying without any success to get my good running buddy to run (and eat) at Brea; he brushes it off as just another race. So heres an unofficial listing (Ill probably miss a few) of the places giving away their food and drink: BJs Restaurant & Brewhouse, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Rubios Fresh Mexican Grill, CA Pizza Kitchen, Jamba Juice, Panera Bread, Olive Garden, Farrells Ice Cream Parlor, Hot Dog on a Stick, The Corner Bakery Caf, pinkberry, Tacos and More, Mothers Market and Kitchen, The Melting Pot .

Lordy, the food was good. Yeah I know its strange to run a race and burn only 600 calories then gorge your way to a couple thousand afterwards. But what the heck, this is a once-a-year thing. I do about a race monthly but the post-race festivities are some fruit, maybe yogurt, and a power bar or some such.

There are about 3,000 registered runners at this and some of the restaurants are determined to feed every last one of them. I finished the race relatively quick when there was just a sprinkling of runners in the food court; an hour later I was hanging around when the food court was at capacity and most of the restaurants were still going strong although struggling to keep up (among Panera, Coffee Bean, and Corner Bakery you could no longer find a drop of coffee but mores on the way they said and they had plenty baked goods still).

It was impressive. Wouldnt surprise me if BJs gave away 500 pizzas. We love BJs but the Brea Mall store is not the one we frequent. However, Ill make it a point now to visit there with the fam just because I appreciate their effort.

Everything at Brea 8K is pretty exceptional, with one exception this year: ugliest, race shirts, ever. 2010 & 2011 the designs were blue/yellow and blue/red/yellow. Nice enough, I had no prob wearing them in public. This year theyre bright orange and pastel green. Its not bad, its real bad. Oh and I know I undersell the race for the food, but the race is USTAF sanctioned and a fast field and challenging course, wonderfully staffed and organized, and its top rate all around.

[MidwayManiac]

April 21 there's a 10k/5k/kid's fun run at Lake Elsinore. Starts at Storm Stadium and goes out along the levee and back. It's flatter than flat and I recorded my 10K PR there two years ago. My buddy lives in Lake Elsinore so this is right in his wheelhouse. He turned me onto it and I like it well enough to make it my third year in a row coming up.

Fairest, this is kinda in your backyard and I presume a 10K is just a warm-up for you but maybe you'll like this.

Here is the registration form

Good price, fast course, nice little event, and there's a well-attended kids 1/2K or some such. My 4yo and 7yo love these and anymore I stick mainly to races that include a kids event.

[fairestoneofall]

April 21 there's a 10k/5k/kid's fun run at Lake Elsinore. Starts at Storm Stadium and goes out along the levee and back. It's flatter than flat and I recorded my 10K PR there two years ago. My buddy lives in Lake Elsinore so this is right in his wheelhouse. He turned me onto it and I like it well enough to make it my third year in a row coming up.

Fairest, this is kinda in your backyard and I presume a 10K is just a warm-up for you but maybe you'll like this.

Here is the registration form

Good price, fast course, nice little event, and there's a well-attended kids 1/2K or some such. My 4yo and 7yo love these and anymore I stick mainly to races that include a kids event.

Thank you! I do appreciate the mention, and yes, it's quite close to us. I did see the run advertised at our local running store. The boys have a baseball game that day and I've got 14 miles on my schedule for that morning, which means that I'll have to run a loop (sort of) and end up at the ball field at 10 to see their game.

[cstephens]

I don't know anything at all about this race, but I heard about the San Diego Zoo Safari Park half-marathon on May 6 this morning on the radio and thought about this thread.

[fairestoneofall]

I don't know anything at all about this race, but I heard about the San Diego Zoo Safari Park half-marathon on May 6 this morning on the radio and thought about this thread.

It sounds fun, but the course appears to be daunting. I've read mixed reviews from last year's inaugural race. I'd like to do it because it would be cool to see the animals on the run, but apparently that's not a guarantee.

[MidwayManiac]

April 21 there's a 10k/5k/kid's fun run at Lake Elsinore.

1 week away. My buddy scouted the levee 10K track today. Muddy, as expected, but there's no rain forecast the next 7 days so it'll be dry/fast.

Fontana Days Run 1/2 Marathon first Saturday in June.

Sold out already. I got in but barely. 3 years ago I registered same day. Hard to imagine it got that popular that fast.


I'm signing up for this 5K on May 12. This race is known for having fast times, not necessarily because it's a fast track but because it's not the right distance. I've never raced here but I'm guessing they worked out the kinks and it's actually 3.1 mi. this time.