This race is super solid. It is the only "8K" or 5 miler I know of in Southern California. It's…read moregreat for people who don't feel a 5K is challenging enough distance but don't want to run extra long miles too. The course is a challenge though presenting a major uphill at mile 3 but also a series of rolling hills along the course. They open the race to an appropriate number of people so that you have enough space to run once you break away from the initial clump of people. The inclusions for this race is top notch. The race shirt, medal, and goodie bag are awesome. Being that it is hosted by the Brea Mall, the vendors that show up here are nearly unbeatable. There is not only your basic race freebies (bananas, liquid IV,water) but also pizza, desserts, and coffee at the post race hangout spot. I've had this race on my list for years and am very glad to be able to finally run it.

For me, medals are important. Ever since I'd received my first one back in 2014, I've continued to…read morechallenge myself, all so that I might drape yet another shiny medal across yet another medal rack. It's just that prior to 2014, I would have never thought I'd begin running, had never thought that I could. My medals, then, are accomplishment reminders, proof that when you set your mind to something, you can do it. However, with all of the runs I'd done, I'd always passed on Brea's 8K. The simple (and a bit selfish) reason was that there weren't finisher medals. I wasn't interested in race shirts and goodie bags, didn't care, really, for trucker hats or for post-race festivities. I just wanted a medal. I mean, running Brea is fine, and running with a great group of people for a worthy and applaudable cause is commendable. But selfish me wanted a medal. So when I saw that medals were included for finishers, I finally signed up. And I am glad I did. It was fun, close to home, and afforded easy parking right there at the Brea Mall. The medal was okay, but at least Brea's 8k had them. For me, it'll do. And I'll run again next year.

My son did the diaper dash last year and the 1k this year. He really enjoys it and it's a fun local…read moreyearly event. The race costs $15 and he got a free t-shirt, a finishers medal, and a pedometer watch.

I lived in La Habra for a few years and never did this race until I moved out of the city. It's not…read morepromoted a ton (I've only read of this race from the Brea 8k), so it stays a medium-small sized meet. It was fun watching the 1k and diaper dash--the whole community was clapping for the finishers so that was really cute. 4 stars for keeping this professional for the size--it's Chipped timed with fast results. 3 stars for the course-- I felt like there were way too many rolling hills for the average runner (which seems to be what this meet draws the majority of the population of), You really don't catch many breaks with the hills, but luckily they aren't extreme inclines, just annoying and points out how out of shape you are. From the handful of people that ran this, they would not want to do the 10k--doing the same course twice means that much more hills! **Oh one more thing, there's no mile mark so you have no idea how far you've gone--something that can easily be changed hopefully! 5 stars for having this local race! and the support the local enforcement contributed to it as well. 4 stars for medals--they give medals to top 5 M&F runners in age divisions, so you have a decent chance of getting one if you ran pretty hard. Overall not too bad.

I recently went to Silverado days 3 days ago and I enjoyed the car shows on Sunday. Also, it's good…read moreto see something new every once in a while.

Besides running the annual Silverado Days 5k, a fun run throughout and around William Peak Park's…read moreneighborhood, I haven't spent much time at this community event. But it looks like a lot of fun, bringing everyone together, as does the race. There is something, though, that besides running the 5k, I will definitely be participating in. Only this past year had I realized that there is a chili cook-off! So I'll surely be out there to compete the next time around. I may not come in first place in the 5k, but when it comes to chili, I just may take home the blue!

My review is for the marathon:…read more What a great, small race. There were probably 200 people combined in the marathon and half marathon. The course started on the Santa Ana River Trail just outside of Riverdale Park in Anaheim and went along the trail almost until the 22 fwy. The runners turned around and came back along the same path where the half marathoners finished inside Riverdale Park and the marathoners continued along the trail until just past Yorba Linda Regional Park and then turned around to head toward the finish at Riverdale Park. There were plenty of signs directing runners where to park (at a lot adjacent to Kaiser hospital) which is great when you're not familiar with the area and it's still in the dark of early morning. There was an ample amount of porta potties at the start as well as public park restrooms (those had a longer line). They had a Don Francisco truck handing out free, hot coffee (it was chilly on race morning) and I saw some other snacks out there too at some of the sponsor tables. A girl from a local yoga studio led a 10 minute warm up stretch before we were lined up on the trail and the Star Spangled Banner was sung. The race started just a couple minutes after 7am. There were water stations at almost every mile and mile markers throughout the course. Max Muscle Enduromax was offered as the electrolyte drink at different intervals and they were handing out Clif Shots at several stations as well. There was another station handing out pretzel and orange slices as well. All of the volunteers were extremely friendly and many of them cheered when they saw an approaching runner or walker. There were lots of cyclists on the path and recreational users but there was plenty of room for everyone. The Santa Ana River Trail is really scenic with lots of foliage, Canadian Geese, birds, Egrets and mallard ducks in the water. There really wasn't any shade so a summer run along the trail would be very hot. At around mile 20 there was a great musician greeting runners. The run was really beautiful and serene but if you're someone who needs lots of spectators and likes to run in a big pack, this isn't the race for you. At around mile 22, I was all alone. I didn't see another runner behind or in front of me for atleast a mile so I enjoyed the zen of the run. I was greeted at the finish line with a couple dozen spectators cheering and was draped with a space blanket and had a medal hung around my neck by some of the friendliest volunteers with the nicest smiles. The announcer read each finisher's name and hometown as they approached the finish which always pumps me up. There was an ample amount of post race food: water, bananas, Clif Bars, homemade cookies (yum!), Martinelli's apple juice and passionfruit apple juice, and bagels. They had a local massage business giving free massages (I really wanted one but I felt guilty asking someone to rub my sweat drenched, smelly back and legs). Max Muscle was handing out samples and Yorba Linda water district gave away plastic water bottles. They were updating the results about every 15 minutes. I was 1st place female 35-40 so I earned an extra medal (sweet!) and I earned a new PR! It was a glorious day! The marathon finisher's medal was HUGE and it's soooo nice. It might be my favorite medal I've earned so far. The tech shirt was a very nice white, long sleeve with Canadian geese on the front. I'd gladly come back and run this race again next year. The race was very well organized and volunteers were wonderful! Finish time: 4:23:51

2nd year for this event. Well organized, very helpful staff and a lot of fun. This years event at…read moreapproximately 500 runners well up from last year and seems to be growing very quickly. My time was 43:12 I didn't win, but I wasn't last. So get up off the sofa and let's go, pass on the left! :-)

Remember the year someone fired a pumpkin through the scoreboard with a cannon?…read more It was awesome. A Cal State Fullerton biology student built the air pressure cannon, dubbed the Pumpkin Lobber, in his garage for the annual pumpkin launch. During the test fire on the field, a pumpkin and medicine ball were blown out of it and through the Titan Stadium scoreboard. Metal panels flew off the back, we were still finding chunks of pumpkin out in the parking lot. Anyway, the Pumpkin Launch, which usually happens on Halloween (or close to it), is hosted by the Discovery Science Center. It's just a fun, quirky event that gets kids interested in physics. I'm not sure what the parameters are to compete, but it's usually high school and college students. Aside from constructing cannons, competitors can build trebuchets, catapults, sling shots, and other sorts of gourd-hurling implements. It's a local, smaller scale version of "Punkin Chunkin," which airs on the Science Channel each year with the Mythbusters covering it. Someone shot video from the field here: http://youtu.be/_l2PrLHymDk?t=3m28s The Pumpkin Launch at CSUF is free to attend, but they seem to be requiring pre-registering for tickets these days instead of just showing up and grabbing a seat in the bleachers.

first timer... had no idea this was an annual event! this turned out to be enjoyable considering i…read morehad no idea what to expect! there were several science activities for the kiddies... i totally geeked out! i think i may have had more fun than my niece and nephew! some of the activities included... - making your own catapult - using your catapult to launch and aim marshmallows at a target - launch a rocket using a 35mm plastic film canister, water, and alka-seltzer - making monoliths using wooden blocks ... and several more activities we didn't get a chance to partake in. the food truck turn was awesome... there was a wide variety of food to select from and made for a great addition to this event. the opening ceremony was very entertaining... high five to the engineering club and teachers! the pumpkin launch was very cool! i was so impressed to learn there were not only college engineering clubs BUT high schools and even a middle school! i was very impressed with the hard work these teams put in b'coz some of the trebuchets and catapults went the distance... literally. congrats to all the teams!! my only gripe for the day was the pumpkin launch didn't start until 12, when the event opened at 10.... with 2 children under 5, it was hard to keep them attentive and interested til then. we ended up having to leave after round 3 b'coz the kiddies were restless. my suggestion would be to omit the practice hour... that's something that should be done prior to the start of the event. aside from that... it was well organized and very entertaining... at least for us science nerds! =)

This was my first time running the Santa Hustle. I found out about it through Groupon and decided…read moreto throw in one last race for the year. Packet pick-up: Nice and easy at the Buena Park Mall. You got your bib on one side of the table and went to the other to get your sweater. They warned people that the sweaters ran small and let people try them on. I thought about getting a small and there was no way I could fit in it. Goodies: They gave you a bear and a hat. I did not wear them while I ran. My goal was to try and place in the top 3 to earn a medal for the 5k. Participation medals were not given out. Plus the beard ran a little small. It was fun seeing everybody wearing their red outfits. Race: There was a 5k and half marathon. They need to be a little more clear on the start. Some 5k folks started because it seemed like they were supposed to go and it was for the half marathon race or 10k, it's been a while. You got to run out of the parking lot, into Knotts, back out onto the street and into the parking lot. It was cool to run into Knotts. They had chips and candy at the end with water. I'm used to bagels and bananas, and aside from that there wasn't much else. There were some booths, but not as many as other races. Cool things: They brought out two reindeers, so that was fun. Weather: Cold! For CA it was cold. It was below 60, so I had a hard time warming up.

This was my second 5K in several months and this one was pretty fun. The Santa Hustle had 2…read moreoptions, a 5K and a half marathon. Half marathoners received a special medal and a voucher for free admission to Knotts Berry Farm. I really wanted a medal, but knew there was no way I could do a half marathon. A 5K is just my speed, especially the fun run variety, where there's a silly theme and people come with friends and family to just have s good time. A word to the organizers...consider giving the 5K people a medal too...even if it's smaller. I'd gladly pay more for the entrance fee to get a medal! Back to the event itself...things I liked: it was very well organized. I liked the emails sent out by the organizers spelling out the details of the event (i.e., parking map, packet pick up map, etc.). I opted to pick up my packet the day before to avoid the crowd the day of. It was an easy process and took about 5 minutes. I loved the dri-fit hoodie that I got with my packet. Very high quality and super cute. The only "bad" thing about the hoodie was that it ran very small. I ordered a women's large and it fit more like a medium. My friend's hoodie ended up being too small for her so she couldn't use it and ended up giving it to her daughter. You also received a Santa hat and beard to go with your hoodie. Like the hoodie, the hat was small (or maybe my head is just way too big?). In any case, I had to use an extra Santa hat I had at home which fit better. Not a big deal but just be aware of the size issues here! Other positives: Parking was free and painless. All the volunteers working the event were friendly and would cheer you on as you made your way through the course. They generously gave out choc chip cookies, M and M's, water, and powerade as we sweated away...which is a total exaggeration. We didn't break a sweat at all as we leisurely strolled the entire 3 plus miles. That's the fun thing about this type of run...you can stroll, run, sprint, whatever. At the finish line, we were handed bottled water and a granola bar. Oh, and I really enjoyed the holiday music playing throughout the course. The volume was just perfect and helped get us in the holiday spirit. Some mild disappointments: I wish the after party was on site. Instead it was offsite at a Farrell's restaurant. It was sort of anticlimactic to finish and not be able to immediately gather with fellow Santas to celebrate, cheer and dance. The other 5K I did a few months ago had an onsite after party with a dj, stage and music and it really made a difference in keeping the excitement going for a bit longer. Also the start line prep was sort of uneventful as well. They just had an announcer guy telling us when to line up, when the thing was starting, etc. At the other 5K I did, the start line area was sort of a mini event, with music, several guys throwing swag out to the crowd, getting everyone fired up and excited. I have to say, these pre- and post- run details make a huge difference in the overall fun factor. I still had loads of fun, though. Happy Holidays!

Okay, seems as though the Renegade Race Series probably listened to all my fellow yelpers that gave…read morethis particular run only three stars. And it looks like they listened! Now personally I didn't experience anything overly negative that I could only give three stars, but it also didn't think it was perfect either. So, here's my four star review breakdown: Online Registration: ~ I was a last minute entry, two days prior to the day of the event, but I easily found all the information I needed. ~ General rules, cost, parking info, found the 10k course map, loved the 7am start time. ~ Entry fees (not including registration fees): 5k - $47 10k - $57, kinda pricey but I chose to run the extra miles. ~ Registration complete! Packet Pickup: ~ Friday March 4th at Road Runner Sports in Laguna Hills. Really? All the way out there? Pass. What about the LA County folks? I was in Newport Beach that day and was still about 13 miles away from the place. Didn't even bother picking up from this location. ~ Saturday March 5th at Buena Park Mall. Perfect! Not too busy two hours after the booths opened up at 11am. Easy to navigate. Looked up my racing bib number. Sign the waiver. Grabbed my t-shirt. I was on my way! ~ Not very many vendors, but I didn't really care about it anyways. Only wish they had at least a GU vendor. ~ The volunteers there were helpful. No issues. ~ And knowing it was going to rain, I didn't like the timing chip being held by a couple of twist-ties. Tacky in my opinion. ~ Organized? I thought it was. Race Day Sunday: ~ It was raining heavily at 5:45am, but it calmly slowed and stopped as the time inched closer and closer to 7am. Excellent! ~ Parking at Knott's went well. Plenty of signs, and parking attendants guiding us from space to space. Only idiot drivers will be idiots drivers when they think they can find a better spot. ~ At the corral, there were volunteers that only allowed you into your assigned corral. Something I don't normally see, as I'm use to half marathons and the corrals aren't usually monitored. This would be due to the high volume of cattle, (aHem) I mean attendees. ~ Although it was a 7am start time, it just seemed like forever for corral 7's to start running. I wanted to leave at exactly 7, not 7:15. Oh well, not a big deal. Volunteers: ~ Again, helpful. Encouraging and enthusiastic! Plenty of them at the water stations, and I didn't really see a lot of them messing around. ~ Plenty of security as well from the Buena Park Police. Thank you! 10k Course itself: ~ Loved the first 3 miles through the park obviously! Reminiscing about the days when I once worked here. I really enjoyed seeing the things that have changed, as well as the things that remained the same. ~ It's pretty much a flat run throughout. The elevation had a few dips, but that's about it. No major level change. ~ The last 3.2 miles, booooring! I mean, it's Buena Park. I was once a local here and also kicked it at Buena Park Mall when I was younger, so bleh! And to run halfway around it was simply a breeze. ~ Hustled to the finish. Grabbed my cool medal. Was given a Desani to rehydrate. Ate half a banana. Didn't care about the pie. Mission complete! ~ Organized? Yes, I felt it was. ~ Would I run it again? Eh, maybe. It IS a good run for beginners. Or if you're coming back from an injury like was.

This race remains a 5 star 5k "fun run" for me. The past three years I have registered a corporate…read moreteam to align with our companies healthy initiatives and have yet to be disappointed with this experience from start to finish and I'm not referring to only the course itself, but the entire experience from registration to the minute we pull out of the parking lot. This is a fun one! I'm not a big Knott's Berry Farm fan but running through their park and Soak city is just a bunch of fun. This is most definitely a family friendly event (my son always enjoys himself) and the crowd is always great. It's a quick run and the pay off is hands down, my all time favorite. Boysenberry Pie!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, please! What stood out this year were the volunteers and their energy. Most of them were so well spirited that it really gave us runners that extra boost of confidence that anyone needs after Springing Forward and waking up what feels to be an hour early to drive nearly 40 miles to run a 5k on a Sunday morning :) Parking is always a bit congested, some traffic control in the early hours could prove beneficial. How I managed to place in my age division for a 2nd time is a mystery to me because I felt my run had tons of room for improvement especially after just rehabbing from an injury but it's always fun to place. It also means you're stuck waiting around another hour plus for the awards presentation so I see highs and lows to placing and not, Not - I get to leave immediately - placing you get to wait around. Maybe a VIP area for those who placed to sip on some coffee and have a little light brekke wouldn't be a terrible idea ;) and those in attendance with them :) Another person on our team also placed, so that always makes it more exciting! The bibs and medals are both really cute and the t-shirts make excellent sleep shirts once washed a dried a couple times to make them a bit softer. All in all this is a fun run! It's one I'll support again in the future and the Kids of Speech and Language Development Center

A comfortably easy run through and around Downtown Anaheim, starting and ending upon West Center…read moreStreet Promenade, is a great way to start a your morning. If you're local, it's an easy drive to get to the event, and as far as parking goes--and if you've been to Downtown Anaheim before, you know--there's a parking structure right there waiting for you. So there's no worries. The event's expo and packet pick-up is brimming with vendors and live music, the atmosphere's relaxed, and everyone's having fun. Of course, there are shirts available for all registrants, and, my motivation, a nice-looking medal awaiting you as you cross that finish line. Strollers, dogs, and even walkers are all encouraged to come out and get some sunshine!

I'm an Downtown Anaheim local since 1985 and Downtown Anaheim and she has been good to me and a bad…read moregirl too. Since I first moved here by chance in 85' I felt a kinship in Anaheim with the town I grew up in in Colorado. A very Hispanic laden community, with old roots and and a good community. A long history and a hardworking people. I've seen my Downtown Anaheim in some bad days and some great shining days too. And today she is shining more and more for all to see. She was born of Germanic roots in 1857 and the the farmers quickly found the groundwater and soil suitable for the grapes they grew and later the oranges that made OC famous came into playand Anaheim was central. The proud Mexican influence in Anaheim has always been present. From the early settlers and migrants providing labor to its now diverse community that features a great many Hispanic businesses and restaurants throughout Anaheim and neighboring communities. Hispanics now make up 53% of Anaheim's 330,000 population. If you cant find some good south of the border food here you are severely retarded. Mi Barrio is el Centro Anaheim. Change of faces for downtown Anaheim: In the 70's they started demolishing most of the original downtown (shame - shame) Anaheim. But a few old places survived and are being reclaimed. The old Sunkist station train depot a block away from me is now a day care center. The down town district on Center street once the mightiest business district in OC had become a drug infested, slum by the mid 80's. It was bars and pay by the hour motels then. But that has long been torn down and replaced with condos, houses, apartments, a community center and a senior center. The Packard building is now home to Umami Burgers and the Anaheim Brewery. The Sunkist Building where I used to get my Ice cheap for 25+ years will soon be the venue for new restaurants and shops. The New Downtown: So after like 20ish years or so the new downtown Anaheim Promenade as well as being the home to Sprint, Wells Farge SCI, Disney Travel, Anaheim Ice, and the city's civic offices. Is now the new "Vegan Triangle" with the Gypsy Den, 118 Degrees, and Healthy Junk as well as a small farmers market on Thursdays. But that's not all the promenade has to offer. A select bunch of new businesses from clothes to men's grooming to jewelery now line the street. Additionally it's the host to carnivals, art exhibitions, antique/craft fairs, holiday activities, and even a great beer fest. Disney Dominance: Shortly after its emergence in 1955 Disney has had a strong economic and political dominance in Anaheim. The world famous Disneyland provides 23,000 jobs to locals and helps generate a gazillion dollars for Anaheim while not paying a red cent of local taxes themselves. Just think of the cash flow $100 a ticket + $150 per guest spending x 17 million guests a year x 7.75% tax = at least $500 a year! or maybe more LOL. We're getting hosed while D-land makes a killing. Whats in store for Down Town Anaheim: Roscoe's Chicken & waffles is coming as is the Earl of Sandwich but closer to d-land. And the Sunkist building will soon be finished and occupied. A beer garden? So I guess I'll have to stay here a little while longer and see what else she has to offer.