This is quite a very late review. This event happened on August 3, 2013. Created by the Runner's…read moreCircle and Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council, this was such a great 5K run with over 200 participants that benefited SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans). I have enjoyed this race because it was challenging. The downhills and uphills were awesome. A cute medal and tshirt were our rewards for participating. There was somehow a mini-fiesta afterwards but we did not stay. I will do such race again.

A two-day event combining bike rides, dog walks, kiddie walks, and regular ol' walks/runs. I…read moreparticipated in the 10k about three years prior during the Year of the Rabbit and again a couple weeks ago for the Horse. Many folks enjoy returning yearly for the full 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Lots of vendors in the festival area, including local school programs, community clubs, electrolyte packs, chewy vitamins, Yakult, and street food with grilled and chilled offerings. Parking the day of is no joke, as traffic is limited near the race start. I had to head up to the hilly residential areas for a spot. Lion dance and firecrackers were set for the 5k at 8am, while the 10k started about 45 minutes after. Even though it's been three years since I ran this, I still remember the hills. Sometimes I'd be Kate Bush-ing it while other times taking a much-needed breather. Passing through Elysian Park and grazing the edge of Dodger Stadium, there will eventually be a downward slope along with one or two more uphill battles before heading back to Chinatown. The finisher medal matches the shirt design of a horse with antlers that burns, burns, burns in a ring of fire. In addition, we get an apple, a banana, a bag of chips, a bottle of water, and if you're early enough some of Ohtani's Syncron. Alas! it had all but ran out by the time I reached the finish line. Overall, it's a fun run with good vibes from fellow runners and the local community.

Firecracker 10K & 5K is such an incredible annual event and a true community favorite. What makes…read moreit even more special is that the proceeds go back into the local community, which is something I genuinely appreciate and support. That's actually what originally got me into participating -- knowing it benefits the area makes it so much more meaningful. It's truly a family event. There's something for everyone -- a cycling event, 5K, 10K, kids' run, and even a dog-friendly event. The energy is always positive, well-organized, and welcoming for all fitness levels. It has become a family favorite for us, and we look forward to it every year. Highly recommend getting involved -- whether you're racing, riding, walking, or just cheering others on.

2nd annual race to celebrate Reyes Adobe Days (RAD). Starts on Agoura road, then to cornell road,…read moreand mullholland hwy and back. If you're familiar with the area you know this course offers some nice mountain side views and rolling hills that made for a challenging run. We passed Paramount Ranch and Malibu lake on this nice course. This race was well organized. We received sufficient email reminders and notices. Packet pick was day before and same day pick up was available too. Small race, only a few hundred people. We were given skinny girl pasta samples after the race. Also bananas, oranges, granola bars and water bottles. I would do this race again. A couple disappointments are the cotton shirt I could not run in and plastic finishers medal. Low entry fee, $35 I believe. The race options were a 10k or a 10 miler. Lots of officers working the course to ensure the safety of the runners. 4 water stops along the course.

Inaugural year for the RAD 10K which was held in conjunction with the Reyes Adobe Days in Agoura…read moreHills. Course was point to point and ended at the historical Paramount Ranch. Fairly hilly course and you do share the road with cars. Some cars cheered you on...other cars honked with impatience as you blocked their path. Rude! Anyways, overall, this was a small well-run race. After the finish, buses take you to Reyes Adobe Park for a free pancake breakfast and small expo. Due to a really bad accident on the 101, took us quite a while to get back to Reyes Adobe Park and they ran out of bacon. Bagels were free too! If schedules don't conflict, I would run this race again.

It was my first time doing a 5K with The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network organization, and from…read moresign-up to the race, all was great! It's for a great cause, and we all had a fun time! They were able to answer my questions about the event details (like level surfaces, time limit, etc). We were able to pick up our team t-shirts the day before, and the 5K walk/run was full of volunteers cheering us on and directing us on where to go. There were signs every 1 mi, and a part of the route had water to help us keep going. It was a hot day out, but there were parts that were shady. Also, we were the last ones on the route, but the volunteers waited for us, and when we got to the finish, the DJ had everyone there cheer us on. There were also event people taking photos, which was nice that they were still there when we finished. They also host the 5K in Irvine in the fall, so I'll be signing up for that as well!

I joined the LA Leggers for the 2019-2020 marathon training season, making the switch after being a…read morelong-time member of another training program.  The LA Leggers "clubhouse" is inside the historic Santa Monica Camera Obscura building overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Palisades Park near the world-famous Santa Monica Pier.  It is not a bad place to start your Saturday long run. The Leggers organization celebrated their 30-year anniversary during the 2019-2020 season and do they have their stuff down.  The weekly runs for each pace group are led by "Mentors".  There are 15+ groups which run and run/walk at different paces.  There are several walking groups as well. The LA Leggers offer something for everyone of all fitness levels who want to put in the work to become a "Marathoner".   Membership in the LA Leggers is for one year of weekly runs, although the marathon training season begins in late summer, culminating with the LA Marathon in March.  LA Leggers is a great organization and I recommend.   Weekly group runs have been suspended due to the pandemic and replaced with weekly Zoom meetings in order to provide support to the members.

I am not an athlete. It sounds kind of weird when I say that in the same breath that I say I've…read morecompleted 10 triathlons, a handful of 70+ mile bike rides and am currently in my second year training for the LA Marathon. But it's true just the same: I'm not an athlete. I'm a fat, slow, aging couch potato with big dreams. One of my big dreams is to do an Ironman some day...but boy, that means I have to a MARATHON. Ugh. My least favorite thing: running. Enter the LA Leggers. There are several big running groups out and about on the west side, including the HUGE one affiliated with the LA Marathon itself. I've run into that group a few times down on the beach, yelling out run chants like Army bootcamp and taking up the entire path. They look sweaty, tired and disgruntled. But every time I'd seen the LA Leggers groups running, people are laughing, smiling, enjoying the day and making running look - dare I say it? - FUN. What? Crazy talk! I joined last year and trained for the 2009 LA Marathon. Injury in November, bad sickness in December and all the crazy LAM date juggling and I was out for the season in January. August came around and I signed up for the 2010 season, determined to try again. As a non-athlete, it's been wonderful to find a "running" club as awesome as the LA Leggers. Encouraging, well-structured mentoring programs and terrific leadership combined with a truly GOOD group of people = wanting to show up and do the training every single weekend no matter how early. You make friends out there with people you would never meet otherwise, and the energy is always up up up. They welcome a wide spread of pace groups (I am in the slowest, 20 minute miles walking pace and YES, they do have walker programs!). I'm looking forward to completing my very first marathon in March, proudly wearing the Leggers name! GO LEGGERS! (And if you needed one more reason to join next year, the LA Leggers were just voted Best Running Club in LA by Competitor Magazine. All that for less than $75 bucks for an entire season! Almost unbelievable!)

Did you know that only 0.5% of the US population have ever ran a marathon? I guess that if it were…read moreeasy, more people would be doing it, right? LA Road Runners (LARR) is the official training program of the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon. I joined LARR this year because I needed to change up my training, meet some new people, but mostly to keep myself safe during the LA Marathon training season. I had sustained injuries during my last 2 winter seasons in another group by running on trails, and I've had to sit on the sidelines and watch the last 2 LA Marathons. LARR is broken up into 20 different pace groups for you to choose from based on your fitness level. There are 10 run groups, 7 run/walk groups, and 3 walking groups. These groups are separated by pace and are lead by very qualified Pace Leaders who work under the supervision of the coaching staff. And, just like Goldilocks, if the pace group are in is too fast, or if it's too slow, you are able to switch groups until you find the one that's just right. The group runs are every Saturday morning for 26 weeks, The runs get longer and longer each week, along with hill training and marathon simulation runs mixed in. There are water stations on the routes, and there is post run recovery foods and drinks waiting for us afterwards, along with weekly lectures and additional training tips. We run our route as a group; two-by-two, so not only are you getting some of the best training around, but you're also developing friendships along the way. The training program culminates at the finish line of the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon. Aside from the great staff, the one aspect of this program I like the best about is the sense of accountability that it instills me. The way that the program is set up, you MUST do your homework during the week because you need to be able to keep up with your group as the miles get longer and longer. Truth be told, I had always been the worst for my midweek runs and would suffer during the Saturday long runs, but not since joining the Road Runners. I would recommend the LA Road Runners for ANYONE wanting to run a marathon, or to just get some great training.

My mom was part of LA Road Runners many years ago when she trained form the LA Marathon. I just…read morestarted running last year. I finally ran into this group on the Santa Monica side as they are preparing for the LA Marathon. I will not join this group, because they are absolutely rude to other runners. One day I was running the opposite direction as a group. There was nothing to block their view of me coming. Instead of giving me room to run on the sidewalk, they ploughed through like I wasn't there. I actually had to go to the side in a driveway to keep from being run over by them. I mentioned it to their group leader they could have given me some way and all he did was apologize. Learn to share the road!! Also, they never acknowledge you as they run by you. I would rather join LA Leggers than this group. At least, when they pass me by they greet me or if they are coming up behind me on a run they acknowledge I am in their path. You may have the best record of people you join, but please learn some etiquette when it comes to sharing the road and actually share it. Does one runner really hurt your running?

MOST BEAUTIFUL BIKE RIDE I'VE EVER HAD!!…read more I loved this!! 360 views of gorgeous Malibu, the rock formations, the Pacific, butterflies dancing alongside, and the Ebikes eased the inclines and kept it so fun!! Jason the Guide was absolutely the sparkliest and a true positivity beam shining smiles on every aspect and shared such confidence with all his international experience as a bike enthusiast and personal trainer. Jason made me feel so comfortable!! He was very professional teaching the use of an Ebike newbie like me. I never would have had such a stellar experience without his amazing attitude and skillset. Was really impressed!!! Anyone would love this ride!!!

A couple of friends and I went on the Malibu E-MTB tour and absolutely loved it! It was my first…read moretime mountain biking and Jason was so patient and made me feel at ease throughout the whole ride. The e-bikes have pedal assist, which made the inclines less challenging. The views were breathtaking and Jason allowed us to stop and take pictures at various parts of the canyon. Jason is very knowledgeable about the area and I really enjoyed hearing fun facts about the different spots that we passed up during the tour. Jazmine was also so nice and such a great help with all of the gear. This tour is perfect for tourists who are new to California or even residents who just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I look forward to scheduling my next life rush adventure!

I love to run. Well, honestly, I jog. But, races all the same in the end. There's a start line, a…read morefinish line, and a bunch of people in between. Your finish time is just a number. It's the accomplishment of finishing is what matters. This event was well organized--I was impressed. Typical 10k and 5k event. I participated in the 10k and it was great. The course was flat and fast and with a couple of water stands in between. Some people dressed up, which makes running 6.2 miles so fun. My only two gripes of this event is that there were no mile markers for miles 1, 2 and 3 which kind of frustrated me since I like to pace myself based on what mile I am at. Also, there was a fee of $8 to park at this event. I mean, I already paid $35 to run in the race, why charge for parking? All in all, I would totally do this event again. I just wish it was closer to home. Driving 140 miles round trip was a tad frustrating. Happy running everyone!