Where to begin for my review of the 5KHR Kiss Wine Run...1st off I have to say that I wouldn't have…read moregiven it even one star if that was an option on Yelp. Additionally, I would have posted this review on the Facebook page of the event, but all negative comments, including the one I posted on the day of the race, were deleted unfortunately.
I've run multiple 5K's, and have never seen a more disorganized event. At first the communication from 5KHR seemed good, yet as the race got closer it became somewhat apparent that the organization of the race was leaving something to be desired. The continued messages about the lunch option being taken away and/or limited was confusing, and should have been taken as a heads up. Additionally, the information regarding the "custom gender specific shirts" was confusing, as originally direction for attire for the race said to dress up in your Valentine's Day themed attire for a "Best Costume" contest. All of this could be ignored, absolutely, if the event had been well organized, fun, etc...however it was not.
1. Parking was a disaster...we parked on the side of the street because traffic was so bad, which we'd been warned about, but when we walked up to the parking we overheard parking attendants saying that they would be turning people away soon. Are you kidding me?!?!
2. I'd paid extra to receive my swag bag and bib in the mail, so it wasn't an issue for me, so I speak for my friends. The organization for the line to pick up bibs, shirts, and swag bags was ridiculous. The line was long, which we expected, and were fine with. However when in line we were handed bibs by a volunteer, which lead me to consider "how do they know we even paid". Additionally, when we got close to the front of the line, we expected a checklist of names with shirt sizes and such so that you knew whether or not we'd picked up our stuff, which there was nothing. The shirts were just sitting on the table and people were digging through them to grab their size. No bags were available. I understand from your Press Release that was supposed to be an apology letter that they had been stolen. To this I ask where were the employees or volunteers manning this station? Theft wouldn't have been an issue with staff manning the check in.
3. The porta potties...holy cow the porta potties. There were only four...for an event with 1600 participants by your count, and countless spectators. According to porta potty calculators available online, there should have been at least 17 potties, 6 hand wash stations, and 1 handicap accessible toilet available for an event with alcohol lasting 4 hours...according to your count. Four porta potties that were overflowing by 930am is disgusting, unsanitary, and frankly, probably a violation of health policies to say the least, and the lack of hand washing stations makes it worse.
4. The course. Now the course was beautiful, however that is no credit to 5KHR by any means...the credit for that goes solely to Mount Palomar Winery. The preparation of the course including the clearing of it, the release of waves, the marking of the path, the water stations, and the volunteers for safety purposes was atrocious. I personally did attempt to run, but due to the mentioned issues was unable to do so easily. I had to dodge debris all over the course, and even tripped on a two foot piece of wire that was sticking out of the ground on the edge of the course! Additionally, many people were confused by the course as the markers were difficult to see and/or confusing. There were no mile markers to let you know where you were in the run, as well as no defined finish line. When I reached the courtyard party area I hadn't even reached two miles, so ran another lap of the course in order to get my full 5K worth of the run. Many didn't do this due to their frustration.
Overall I am beyond frustrated by the lack of organization of 5KHR in this event, as well as the reaction to feedback received. While I understand the coordinator's frustration with actions taken by some participants, I, for one, was not one of them, and am offended by the accusations and lack of official apology. As a coordinator of such an event a certain amount of professionalism and customer service is expected, and was not shown in that letter. Attached are screenshot pictures of the Press Release that is supposed to act as an apology apparently.