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    Pasadena Half Marathon & 5K

    3.8 (20 reviews)

    Pasadena Half Marathon & 5K Photos

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    Connie L.

    I ran the Pasadena half 2019 & 2020. I really enjoyed the course. There is elevation the first 2 miles and after the next 11.1 miles is relatively flat with small hills. The course hits Norton Simon museum, Caltech, old town Pasdena, and (of course) Rose bowl. My favorite was finishing inside the Rose bowl. I really enjoyed running this race in 2019 so I was excited to run it again this year. But, I felt Conqur really tried to cut corners compared to last year. I was told there wasn't an expo this year due to lack to vendors willing to participate (BOO!). This year the shirt was cotton that we needed to pick up the morning of (WHY?!). 2019 it was a tech shirt but the women's were a v-neck and men's a crew neck (WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!) and the color was a dull periwinkle. The medal for this year is thinner/lighter than last years. The post-race snacks ran out pretty quickly. I will only run it again next year if I decide to participate for the ConqurLA challenge.

    Waiting for the runs to begin
    Sandra L.

    I registered for this run to participate in the Tour of LA 5K challenge . Overall I liked it. Pros: - It's at the famous Rose Bowl in Pasadena! The finish line was inside the Rose Bowl which was pretty awesome. - free parking ! - tons of free snacks at the finish line. - good course. Well marked and spacious. One good loop. Cons: - when the email says "arrive no later than 6 am to avoid closure of streets nearby" GET THERE AT 5:00 am. I'm not kidding . Arriving at 5:30 am was a traffic nightmare ! - for bib pick up , do not park at the Pasadena convention center for $15. Look for metered parking nearby or park across the street at Paseo. Getting out of the parking lot was easy. You're in Pasadena so there's plenty of places to eat nearby (please ignore the 1 star review for the lack of food trucks. You're at a run, not a festival). I would definitely do this venue again for a run.

    Hurnan V.

    I've ran a handful of half marathons, and I would say that while the race itself was fine, the other perks (that would make it an otherwise 5-star experience) were overall underwhelming. I also paid $120 for this race... which was pricy considering the types of runner perks that you receive. PROS: - Free event parking at the Rose Bowl (get there early to find a spot/sit through traffic as there is only one entrance to the parking lots) - Lots of porta-potties on race day - Relatively flat race (some ups and downs, but overall elevation change is no more than 200ft) - You run past Pasadena landmarks (Rose Bowl, Cal Tech, Old Town Pasadena, Norton Simon Museum) - Ample water stations and mile markers through the race course - Awesome weather - PR'ed!!! CONS: - Underwhelming/very minimal pre- and post- race expo - Post race goodies consisted only of water, bagels, and bananas...and some Goldfish packs - Virtual goody bag with no good or useful perks - Cotton finisher T shirt (not dri fit) - Cannot pick up bibs for friends/family who cannot do advance pick up (need to pay $20 for same day pick up) - Race time is recorded as both gun and chip time (your rank is based on gun time) - Corrals are tight at the beginning- ended up having to weave the first few miles Overall, given how close this race is to my house, I would consider running it again, but probably sign up super early to pay a ~decent~ price for the minimal perks this race offers. Glad to have PR'ed though, and overall had a solid race experience.

    2018 bling
    Greg T.

    Had it not been for the Conqur LA challenge, I probably wouldn't have signed up for the Pasadena Half, but I was pleasantly surprised by the scenic beauty of the Pasadena Half Marathon, which wends its way through the hills around the Rose Bowl and through the streets of Old Town Pasadena. The course isn't particularly challenging even as there is some elevation gain. (If you're looking for something flat, head down to the OC.) Pros: + Free parking close to the starting line. I was able to hide in my car to avoid the chilly 41-degree weather. + Ample refreshments (water and Gatorade) as well as medical tents along the course route. + Medals were nicely designed and had decent heft. + Although corral placement was only loosely enforced (compared to runDisney events), I appreciated that people mostly adhered to the placement. I didn't feel like I had to weave my way through people compared to other races. + The finish line - in the Rose Bowl - was pretty spectacular! Cons: - Only two entrances to reach the free parking. Make sure you leave early enough to park, as I waited 30+ minutes to exit the 210 at Seco. - The Expo was disappointing for several reasons: small size and high price of parking ($13). Park at Paseo Colorado or take the Gold Line to save a few bucks. - Post-race snack options (Muscle Milk protein bars and Goldfish) not suitable for all dietary restrictions, but this is probably more a reflection of the sponsors than anything else. Thanks, Pasadena, for helping me set a new PR!

    Event schedule at the expo.
    Tony H.

    The Pasadena half marathon & 5k is organized by the Conqur Endurance group, the same group that organized the LA Marathon, and now the Santa Monica Classic, and LA Big 5k. I ended up doing the 5k for this event since I signed up for the bundle deal 5k tour which also included the Santa Monica classic & the LA Big 5k. If it wasn't for the bundle package I probably would have passed on this race since it was kind of pricey being around $50 for the 5k & around $130 for the half marathon. They did offer cheaper early bird prices but that was probably 9 months before the race Minus the rain the race itself wasn't bad, the 5k went around the "track" loop at the Rose Bowl & finished on the field. The race ended up starting 20 minutes late because people were either stuck in traffic getting there or just showed up late, and the start of the race went right through where parking for the stadium comes through. It was nice of the race to give some leeway for people that paid for this race & not lock them out, but it kind of sucked sitting out in the cold wondering when we were finally going to start. Since I ran the inaugural race and earned "legacy status" I'll probably consider running this race again in the future as long as they continue to offer challenger series with the other events they organize. Pros: Free parking for the race in the Rose Bowl, free downloadable race photos, division awards for top 3 finishers male and female in age divisions for the 5k and Half marathon, and free beer after the race. Cons: Expensive registration price, race delay do to the parking entrance going pass the beginning of the course, and the expo was lack luster (but most race expos are now a day).

    Start and finish at the Rose Bowl. Finish Line is inside on the 50 yard line.
    Anthony D.

    Hats off to the folks of Conqur Endurance Group on the superb production of the 2018 Pasadena Half Marathon. The parking situation greatly improved from last year. The course, which I call a running tour of Pasadena, was clearly marked throughout the race and flowed smoothly. The generous amount of water, Gatorade and Gatorade Endurance support stations were all staffed with AMAZING volunteers and the live bands, DJs and cheerleading squads throughout the race gave the athletes some added enjoyment and an extra mental boost. The Pace Leaders from the LA Road Runners kept runners wanting to keep to a specific finish time on track. Shout out to PL Stu with the 2:30 group. Mother Nature pitched in and gave us a beautiful dry and clear, albeit cold, day. Hopefully she'll hook us up with an extra 15 degrees at start time next year because the low 40's this morning was brutal!! (this is SoCal, people...Do. Not. Judge...) Nothing special about the expo, and the parking is still terrible unless you get there early. Medals were done well once again. It is definitely the heaviest medal in my collection. This was my second year running this race and I will most definitely be back in 2019.

    2018 Pasadena Half Marathon
    Jun L.

    Finally got to run the Pasadena Half Marathon in 2018! I was signed up for last year's Inaugural Half, but shin splint issues prevented me from running. No more shin splints and a new PR! 4 stars for my half marathon #4! Why not 5 stars? *The price to run the Pasadena Half is a little pricey. It's just a half marathon, and there are marathons with cheaper registration prices. *Read about the parking issues from 2017 on Yelp, and there's still plenty of needed improvement. It took way too much time to get to the Rose Bowl before the race, and it was a nightmare getting out at the end of the event. Why almost 5 stars? *The route is pretty scenic and amazing! Not only do you get to finish right on the Rose Bowl field, but you also get to run under and over the Colorado Street Bridge. The route passes by Old Town Pasadena, the Lake Avenue Shopping District, as well as the Caltech campus! *It's a pretty good course with a few little hills with lots of flat sections. Definitely an okay course for a first time half marathon runner. *Water and Gatorade were available throughout the course, as well as portable bathrooms. Plenty of post race food was also available at the finish area. *The medal is really nice, and I love its size and heft. Definitely a cool reward and memento for running through the streets of Pasadena. *The race is pretty organized, from the race expo to race day. Thank you to all the volunteers who made it a successful race. *Yes the registration fee is pretty steep, but the charity for the Pasadena Half is the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House! Some tips for 2019... *Don't pay for parking at the expo at the Pasadena Convention Center. There's plenty of free parking spaces on adjacent residential streets that's pretty close the convention center. *Expect to wait a very long time to park and to get out of the Rose Bowl on race day. Arrive super early in the morning. If you are stuck at the end of the race, leave your car and use Uber/Lyft and go to brunch. There's definitely a wide variety of brunch choices in the Pasadena area that are not on the race course. Actually did this after waiting for almost 30 minutes, and the place was pretty empty when we came back at about noon.

    Me last year. Sorry I missed reg before it sold it.
    Kevin S.

    The Pasadena Half Marathon & 5K is a terrific race. I loved coming into the final stretch, down the tunnel and onto the field at the Rose Bowl. I hadn't trained enough and faded a bit at the end, dropping from first in my age group at the 5K and 10K marks down to third. Much as I wanted to come back and grab that top spot in my age group this year, I WAITED TOO LONG AND NOW IT'S SOLD OUT. I was HAPPY TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE nearby at UCLA, Women Run LA, and I'll have to review it afterward so you all will know how it compares. I do like their mantra: "There is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle." Although I'll probably use the mantra that kept me going at Pasadena Half 2018: "My legs are quick, my will is strong, I can do this all day long." Good luck on January 20!

    Medal and shirt

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    Ask the Community - Pasadena Half Marathon & 5K

    I was interested in doing the Conquer L.A. Challenge & was wondering can anyone tell me what they paid for the bundle package for all 3 races?

    The challenge package for all 3 races varies from $300 to $360 depending on when you buy it. They have a sale the week after the LA marathon where the price is $300, the total comes to about $330 after taxes & processing fee if you register online.

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    Review Highlights - Pasadena Half Marathon & 5K

    I loved coming into the final stretch, down the tunnel and onto the field at the Rose Bowl.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

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    Awesome 80's 5k/10k Run

    Awesome 80's 5k/10k Run

    3.9(18 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    The Darth Vader medal was really all i came for this year…read more i participated in the 2012 run in SF and had crossed it off my runner's bucket list... until i rec'vd email newsletters about the 2013 run and mock up designs for the medal... Darth Vader... really?? ok, sure.. why not! **if you've participated in an Awesome 80s Run event before, then you know their medals are made with quality and pure awesomness!** This time i opted to participate in the run closer to home... Pasadena, CA. the location was perfect... Rose Bowl loop, a trail i was familiar with. the pasadena run didn't seem as big as last year's SF run... Getting to the venue was smooth... no traffic (we arrived around 7:30am) and parking was a breeze. Although, parking is $10... wish they can include this in the registration fee so participants don't feel obligated to incur anymore cost. the course was ideal... loop around the rose bowl. plenty of space for runners and walkers to share the road. thankfully it was early enough in the day that it wasn't too hot. there was a slight breeze during some areas of the course that helped out greatly. there were a couple bands along the route to boost the 80s spirits... good times! costumes were entertaining. i was a Rogue Squadron pilot and my bf was a Stormtrooper. we saw many star wars themed costumes... very awesome... as well as other 80s related costumes. great seeing everyone's creativity and spirit come together!

    Like the other reviews said this isn't any type of competitive race where you should expect to have…read morea PR for your 5 or 10k time. It's a themed fun run so expect a ton of people walking, pushing strollers, & walking dogs on the course. The event is fun if you're doing it with a group of friends & taking pictures with other people & their costumes but as fair as a race there could be some improvements. Since the course goes around the rosebowl/golf course it would be better to start the 5k first so you don't get stuck trying to go around more people that are walking during the 10k, & starting the race on time. The 10k was suppose to be at 8:15 am, & the 5k at 8:30. We went to line up for the 5k and the 10k was still waiting to go. Both races were started 15 minutes behind schedule. The race packet pick up was pretty easy the day of the race they gave well over an hour before the races started for everyone to get their bibs that couldn't make it out to Pasadena the Friday before the race. They have chipped timing now, at the end of the race you return the time chip from your shoe for your finishers medal. Besides the late start of the race & trying to go around all the walkers during the race the only other problem was trying to get out of the parking lot. The race course go around the parking lot so if you're trying to leave while the race is still going to wait for about 20 minutes. If the medal for next year is cool enough & my friends want to run it again I'd probably do the race again. One of the cool things about this event is they don't have periods where they continue to raise the price of the race. It's the same price until it sells out & they have a lot of different promo codes that you can use to save $3-$10 on registration.

    Photos
    Awesome 80's 5k/10k Run - 2013 event. Band spotted during rung

    2013 event. Band spotted during rung

    Awesome 80's 5k/10k Run
    Awesome 80's 5k/10k Run

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    Descanso Gardens Earth Day Fun Run - Bird observation station near the finish line

    Descanso Gardens Earth Day Fun Run

    5.0(1 review)
    3.7 mi

    What a lovely race! Descanso Gardens may be the most beautiful setting for a 5K/10K ever. The route…read moreweaves its way through the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden, then through the Camellia and Oak Forests, then finishing through the California Native Garden and the Oak Woodland. For all you die-hard runners out there, this is a chip-timed race with bibs and an accurately measured 5 or 10 kilometer course. This might be a great race to score your first win because it's relatively small; the number of elite runners was miniscule. For all you folks that just want to support a good cause (the gorgeous Descanso Gardens!) and have a nice stroll, you could not ask for a more lovely setting. Atmosphere: Running in one of the most lovely gardens anywhere. Can't beat it! Due to the dense canopy provided by the native oak trees, Descanso Gardens usually feels about 10 degrees cooler than the weather says it will be. It was very cool when we started and I needed a jacket. Course: Loop course: twice equals 5K, four times equals 10K. Seems really easy at first then the steep hill behind the Boddy House gets ya. I ran nowhere near my personal best but it surely was beautiful. Amenities: One water stop, bagels/bananas/oranges and a water bottle at the finish. Swag: A nice Earth Day Run T-shirt, a cute medal, and a coupon for one free admission to Descanso Gardens (expires Dec. 2016). Staff: absolutely lovely! A nice squad of volunteers checked us in and cheered us along the way. Price: $45 but it's for a very good cause. Parking: FREE!

    Photos
    Descanso Gardens Earth Day Fun Run - Race route

    Race route

    Descanso Gardens Earth Day Fun Run - Starting line

    Starting line

    Descanso Gardens Earth Day Fun Run - Rose garden...imagine running here!

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    Rose garden...imagine running here!

    Pasadena Triathlon - Same Day Packer Pick Up

    Pasadena Triathlon

    4.1(8 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    I participated in the Pasadena Sprint Triathlon today, and I had a blast! I hope this review helps…read moreothers considering this race-- as a first time triathlon participant, I was extremely nervous and didn't know what to expect! This triathlon is in reverse order: run/bike/swim. The run consists of one loop around the Rose Bowl (5k), bike consists of three loops around (10k), and the swim is located at the Aquatics Center (150m). Logistics: 5 stars! It is very well organized! Because the crowds aren't that large (this year was approx 750 in the triathlon itself), same day pick up is definitely doable. There are signs everywhere along the course and people directing you to transition areas. There are a couple of swim and race clinics that the event hosts ahead of time in Jan and Feb, but I wasn't able to go. Free parking at the Rose Bowl! Plenty of spectator spots at the start of the race, along the race course, and in the spectator stands at the pool. You can get body marked after you set your stuff up by one of the event staff. Course: 5 stars! The Rose Bowl has a mild incline along the west side (clockwise) and descends along the side of Brookside Clubhouse. It is well paved road as well. The run and bike were very well delineated. I recommend not listening to music during the bike as there will be people passing / you passing others so we can hear each other for safety. The course is a bit congested in the uphill portion especially during biking. For the swim, the aquatics pool is utilized 50m length wise and split into four large lanes. You jump in feet first and snake around to get 150m. It is inevitable that you get splashed in the face bother others or get lightly brushed by their feet, given the nature of the race, but I still found it easy to navigate from end to end. No one was really treading water or hanging on the wall when I was swimming. We all moved along! You and with a fast walk up the ramp out of the pool. Bathrooms/water: Three stars... public restrooms near the parks and no port a potties. Lines are LONG for the women's. One water station on the Rose Bowl course. Transition area: 4.5 stars! Get here a bit early to find a place to rack your bike. Given that it is a smaller race, it wasn't hard to find my bike during the transitions, and I still found a spot even tho all the rows were taken. I just had a bag of my belongings that I placed on the ground, but I saw that others had their towels, goggles, swim caps laid out. It was generally very safe. I appreciated how during the bike and swim transition someone was always there to tell you what to do ("helmet on! Walk your bike!"). As a first timer, that was so helpful. The fast walk/jog to the pool was about 1 min...? Depending on the person. It was a bit muddy and sandy on the grassy area leading to the pool. There is a shoe drop off area before you enter the pool, and it was easy to find my shoes afterwards. Expo: Three stars... the pre and post race expo were meh. Not a lot of swag or food. They passed out bananas and energy drinks, but that was it. I was hoping for more swag! Cost: Three stars... I bought my registration in December; with the mandatory triathlon day pass, came to be $140 ish. There is early bird pricing for $100-110 prior to the extra fees. Swag: Two stars... a plain unisex cotton T shirt. All in all, a super beginner friendly sprint triathlon. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a challenging yet fun experience!

    A fun triathlon to do for beginners but even seasoned triathletes will also participate. It was my…read more2nd time this year and was definitely fun.

    Photos
    Pasadena Triathlon - Transition Area by the Pool

    Transition Area by the Pool

    Pasadena Triathlon - Aquatic Center

    Aquatic Center

    Pasadena Triathlon - Starting point

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    Starting point

    Santa Anita Derby Day 5K - The Whittier Pacers! Take over Derby Day!!!

    Santa Anita Derby Day 5K

    4.3(20 reviews)
    7.1 mi

    Probably the perfect 5k race for beginners and some what competitive runners. The venue is so big…read moreeverything is located in the same area. The parking lot (which is free for the race) is right by the start line for the race & right across from the race track so it's an easy 5 minute walk once you leave the post race festival area to get back to your car. They have about five different starting wave with the pace time clearly marked so the first few competing waves don't have to worry about going around walkers or anyone with strollers. Each wave starts about every 5 minutes so the run isn't too crowded either. I'm addition to finish medals, shirts, and free goodies from the vendors at the post race festival they also have top 3 division awards for multiple age groups. They have packets pick up at the mall next to the track the day before the race, and early race day bib pick up and hour and a half before the race. The day of the 5k you also get free admission to the track for the horse race later in the day with your race bib as well as a ticket for a future horse race later in the year. The post race event has a beer garden sponsored by Golden Road brewery in 2023, each runner got 2 free beers. The post race festival was family friendly as well with a few carnival rides, I'm not sure if those rides are always at the park or just there for opening day.

    yes ! This is one of my favorite 5ks in the Arcadia Area. Easy parking, Free tickets to one of the…read moreraces, and they also have a festival of rides you can choose to do, but my favorite portion of this 5k is the BEER GARDEN ! last years was awesome cannot wait for this years!

    Photos
    Santa Anita Derby Day 5K - Starting gate for the race. They have separate wave starts.

    Starting gate for the race. They have separate wave starts.

    Santa Anita Derby Day 5K - Post race in the beer garden.

    Post race in the beer garden.

    Santa Anita Derby Day 5K - 2026 course map.

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    2026 course map.

    Race for the Rescues 5K/10K - some of the exhibitors

    Race for the Rescues 5K/10K

    4.3(3 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Just did this 5K this morning with my pup!! He and I both enjoyed it. There were actually quite a…read morebit of exhibitors and a couple food trucks present. The exhibitors were all friendly, nice, and fairly generous with their samples and giveaways! I was able to pick up quite a bit of dog food samples for my pup and some reusable bags, as well as a doggie poop bag holder! Some exhibitors gave away dog food samples, some has dog massages, there was a pet psychic, a vet, and some pet adoptions. There was also a coffee exhibitor there, so I was able to get in my morning cup of joe before running with my pup.There was a dance floor and stage as well. Parking was easy and best of all, free!! I must say though, that the organization of the race was a bit off. I couldn't figure out too easy where the 1K, 5K routes were. I had signed up for the 1K since it was my pups first run, I did not want to overdo it. However, at the start sign of the 1K, NO one was there to tell us where to go. I did look up the route online, but I was still confused... and we ended up on the 5K route and so did a further run... but my pup did it! LOL. Upon finishing, we were given a cute medal. Only one medal though. It would be cool if they made a smaller one for your dog. There were apples, bananas, and some yogurt bars (tooooo sweet though) and water bottles given out. Some people brought their dogs, but not too many, and it was good that they had a rule of keeping ALL dogs on leashes. Plenty of water stations all around for the dogs, many had iced water, which my dog loves. There was also ice in the buckets where the water bottles were, so I grabbed ice for my dog as that seems to be his favorite treat! There was also a photo booth where I took some pics with my dog. A cop walked by and it was hard trying to talk a selfie with my pup, so I asked and he was nice and took several pics for us. The paramedic at the first aid was also cute and nice. I just wished I hadn't lost my voice from all the screaming I did at Universal Halloween Horror Nights just that night before that race! I couldn't talk to as many people as I wanted to. Would I do this race again? Yes I would!! It is for a great cause! I love them furbabies!! Tip, make sure you look up your race number online BEFORE picking up your bibs! They are organized by number, not by name, so it would be very hard to figure out your number. There was a stand however, with bib numbers so you could look it up there too. Also, no need to pick up your stuff early, it is free the day of the race and it is not too packed either. I don't think as many people did this race as with other 5k's I have done.

    My friends and I did the Race for the Rescues 10K at the Rose Bowl last year. It was their first…read more10K and my second one, so it was pretty challenging for all of us. But we were successful! Since it's located at the Rose Bowl, the race had plenty of parking. We picked up our bibs and shirts that morning and walked around a bit to see the different vendors. I like this race because all the proceeds go to animal welfare organisations. And since this is a race about animals, most of the vendors were pet-related. I wanted to get some complimentary dog treats for my friend's furpets, but it seemed like they were only giving it to dogs that were present (but then again, I didn't ask). There were a good amount of portapotties available for runners to use before and after the race. And after the race, if you are interested in adoption, you could stop by the PHS & SPCA booth where they had some of their available dogs. The start line wasn't very organised, however. Since we are slow runners, we just placed ourselves in the third corral. Seamus Dever came out to make a speech, supported by his fellow castmember Jon Huertas. They were cool to see. And then there were some cheerleaders, some other people making announcements... the point is, they didn't start on time and we ended up just standing at the start line for what seemed like forever (okay, it was more like 15 minutes past the stated start time). For the 10K, you make 2 loops around the Rose Bowl, but it was easy to see where to go after the first loop so we didn't accidentally cross the finish line. The Rose Bowl Loop Track is relatively flat so this was a nice race to do. The shirt is nice and they provide chip timing; the only downside to this race is that there is no medal. I seriously only race for medals... but in this case, I made an exception since the money is going to a really good cause :)

    Photos
    Race for the Rescues 5K/10K
    Race for the Rescues 5K/10K
    Race for the Rescues 5K/10K

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    LA Big 5K - Pre race group pic.

    LA Big 5K

    4.3(12 reviews)
    7.7 miEcho Park

    Good Afternoon form sunny Los Angeles , its about 1348hours over here and I wanted to give a review…read moreon my first LA BIG 5K it was a fun and beautiful route , I unfortunately did not race it but walked it as I had the LA Marathon that next morning . So I would say from the walk it was a very nice route a little hilly here and there but not anything too wild. The only thing that is wild is the parking if you decide to sleep in and try to get to the dodger stadium around 530-6am and after just sacrifice and come early and sleep in your car!

    I've ran this course a couple of times and its one of my favorite 5Ks for a couple of reasons: its…read morewell organized, easy parking at the Dodger Stadium, nice run through Elysian Park with some hills up and down, and great views of the city. I ran it this year in 2025 for Westside German Shepherd Rescue to fundraise for this wonderful non profit organization that rescues dogs. There are many other orgs to support but I chose this org to run for since its where I adopted my rescue German Shepherd dog from! This event normally happens before the marathon so it's a great way to have a nice run before the big day and pick up your bib for race day. Because the event is so well organized, it's easy to come a little bit earlier same day as the 5K to pick up your bib and shirt for it. Huge shout out to all the volunteers that make this race a great one!

    Photos
    LA Big 5K - With my niece after the 2024 kids race.

    With my niece after the 2024 kids race.

    LA Big 5K - With my niece after the kids race.

    With my niece after the kids race.

    LA Big 5K - Triple 5k challenge medal & 2024 Big 5k medal.

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    Triple 5k challenge medal & 2024 Big 5k medal.

    LA Chinatown Firecracker - Pre-race festivities

    LA Chinatown Firecracker

    4.4(106 reviews)
    7.9 miChinatown

    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.

    Photos
    LA Chinatown Firecracker - 2024 Firecracker 10k

    2024 Firecracker 10k

    LA Chinatown Firecracker - LA Chinatown Firecracker 10k

    LA Chinatown Firecracker 10k

    LA Chinatown Firecracker - Timed the jump perfectly!

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    Timed the jump perfectly!

    Pasadena Half Marathon & 5K - races - Updated May 2026

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