Race Report: Hollywood Half Marathon (April)
100% a last minute add to the calendar: Hollywood Half Marathon.
The Ladies signed up for this Race awhile back. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Inaugural Races... there's usually too many kinks to work out. So I decided to sit this one out.
Then the itch to do another Race and keep my endorphins up through April kicked in. After a quick post for Race suggestions on Facebook, next thing I knew I was taking someone's place to run the event.
Overall the consensus on the Race was: It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. I think most of us would consider doing it again next year with friends, but it's not going to be "a must".
I didn't have any HUGE issues with the Race/Course like I have with others... but I do think they have opportunities. What was nice is the Race Organizer apologized for things that caused much frustration (i.e. Race Site crashing, poor Expo Parking planning, Monster Hill at mile 11-12.75 for example). But at the end of the day, you just had to tell yourself: It's was an Inaugural Race.
Perks of the Race:
Otherwise, stop complaining and enjoy the medal.
The Ladies signed up for this Race awhile back. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Inaugural Races... there's usually too many kinks to work out. So I decided to sit this one out.
Then the itch to do another Race and keep my endorphins up through April kicked in. After a quick post for Race suggestions on Facebook, next thing I knew I was taking someone's place to run the event.
Overall the consensus on the Race was: It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. I think most of us would consider doing it again next year with friends, but it's not going to be "a must".
I didn't have any HUGE issues with the Race/Course like I have with others... but I do think they have opportunities. What was nice is the Race Organizer apologized for things that caused much frustration (i.e. Race Site crashing, poor Expo Parking planning, Monster Hill at mile 11-12.75 for example). But at the end of the day, you just had to tell yourself: It's was an Inaugural Race.
Perks of the Race:
- Start line includes a mixed bag of costumed characters, ours featured: Marilyn Monroe's (2- one male/one female), Superheros, Disney Characters, a man who balances a watermelon on his head as he runs, Elvis (and a mini-me) and lots of wigs *heart*
- Pretty decent sized Expo
- Run down Hollywood Blvd (with the stars)
- An out and back so you could see friends on the course
- Amazing Medal - all about the bling
- Happy it said "Inaugural" on the ribbon
- Finish line shwag was pretty good
- Dry fit T-shirt was pretty nice
- Price was decent: $75-95
- Cute Red Carpet Photo ops
- Race site kept crashing, especially the day before the race when most folks look up last minute things
- Bag Drop and Port-a-Potties were hard to find at the beginning of the race
- Literally an out and back...
- One MONSTER hill at mile 11-ish for about a mile and a half
- Lack of volunteers to pass out water = lack of water for runners on the course
- Traffic to Packet Pickup was terrible - literally saw accidents from cars unwilling to let each other pass
- Wish there were more bathrooms on the course
- "Tour the streets of LA like never before..." actually I have: LA Marathon 2004 - same Hollywood Blvd course
- Race Organizers are not very responsive to questions on the site/facebook
- Shuttle buses at the end of the race blew our minds - we opted to walk 1 1/2 Miles to the Hotel instead
Otherwise, stop complaining and enjoy the medal.
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