Horrible event. Disorganized and total lack of communication other than irrelevant social media…read morepostings. They canceled the 5k yesterday, leaving everyone to presume that the half would be canceled as well. We had until 3 pm to pick up our bibs, and they didn't give an option to have them mailed out. Sometime after the bib pick-up was closed, they announced that the race was on. They then announced that we could pick up bibs the day of, for an extra $25 on top of the $200 already spent. This has never happened before in my 20 years of running. To be clear, this was not about the weather. This storm was a known event well in advance of the race. It was about the lack of communication, decision making, organization, and leadership. Recommend Malibu Moves. DON'T DO RUNMALIBU.

Lack of organization. I missed my husband's finish because of the shuttle. I spent in the line more…read morethan 1 hour and couldn't support my loved one at this moment. If you don't allow people to get the place by themselves, you have at least to organize a proper transfer for everyone. Disappointed!

(Half #16, 2015)…read more Running 13 miles along the beautiful beaches of Southern California--and getting a super cool medal for doing so--is an exceptional way to spend your morning, is it not? (Most of my friends whole-heartedly disagree, so let 'em.) But while most linger still in dreamland's starlit warmth, fast asleep and snuggling their pillows, shoelaced running enthusiasts congregate upon Ventura's coastline for Elite Sports' 3rd annual Shoreline Half Marathon. If you've run the Ventura Half or Elite Sports' Seaside Half, this course'll look pretty familiar. Beginning around the Ventura Promenade and Pier, Shoreline's Half courses North along the beach's rolling bike and pedestrian path. For the most part, this course is flat and even. (It's relative, I know.) A few dips are here and there, but the ocean and accompanying scenery distract, enough so that you may not even notice the simple climbs. The Half doesn't begin until 8am--the 5k and 10k follow--so it's likely you'll be running through some heat. (I'd brought a cap, and I am so glad I did because running South after the turn-around means seven miles sunward.) Bring along some sunscreen! Shoreline has multiple water/aid stations along the route, welcoming oases that certainly help as the temperature rises. Shoreline also offers its Half Marathoners free tacos and beer after the race, and that's a great perk; however, the lines for both were a bit long. We opted instead to try a taco shop upon the pier: a couple Beach House Tacos and a limed Corona seriously...hit...the...spot! (Another reason for getting tacos along the pier, by the way, was that our validated receipt awarded us free parking in the neighboring structure!) What's really cool about Elite Sports' races, though, is their "Endurance Challenge": running seven of their Half marathons awards a challenge medal at the year's end. I want that! Having run now four of Elite's Half so far, I was given another water bottle, a sweet running cap, and a great ditty bag! For more information about the Endurance Challenge, check here: elitesportsca.com/Endura.... And, even cooler, is that Elite Sports' races are included in the CA Half Series (calhalfseries.com), which--if you're into Halfs--awards a 10-, 15-, and 20-run series medal at the end of the year. Running seven of Elite Sports' inches you closer to the halfway mark! TIP: If you plan to run any of Elite Sports' or the CA Half Series' races, check out RaceShed (raceshed.com); it gives "race for less" discounts and promo codes.

First off - I understand that this was the 2nd year that this race was put on and I heard many…read morecomplaints about it from last year. So I went into this race not feeling really good about it. However - My wife and I thought overall this was a solid organized event and a fair price for what you get out of it. The prerace packet pick up was at a local Sports Authority. Basically you received the chip, race number, shirt, plastic bottle, bag and a few coupons. Not a whole lot in comparison to other races.. The pickup was rather smooth btw. Nice sectioned off area of the store. The race location iteself: Plenty of parking at the location and easy to get to. The pre announcements were loud and clear and the race started on time This was a timed race and it clearly appeared to be some confusion by racers as how the staggerred times should work becuase you saw folks that clearly should not have been going up front with the top racers. One ouch moment occurred before the race: The announcer did slip up and cursed not knowing he was still on an open Mic. he did apologize but it was a bit unproffesional - especially with a kid/family friendly event. The course for the most part was rather flat and the first couple of miles you do see the shoreline but then is spans out away from the beach and into a residential area. The first few miles were tight - thin bike path and trying to pass people was a bit difficult. One draw back with this race is that it is not exactly closed off. Racers need to contend with beachgoers and transiets that wander throughout the course. There were police and volunteers keeping traffic away. There was a bit of an uphill and then a nice long down hill with shade through the residential area during I believe miles 3-4. This race was HOT! really baked on you and drained you. My guess was that it was mid to high 70's early in the am. Refreshments: Water, gatorade and gel stations were staggered through out the race course. I know other reviewers reported to have gotten lost or confused and got off course but I honeslty thought that it was rather well directed. Post Race: There was a tent for post race results, tents for water, gatorade, bread, bannanas and oranges etc.. Also had massage tables set up and they worked for tips. Music was playing - nice grassy area Not just with this race but with all races I honeslty wish participants were more aware and courteous of other racers. Too many participants dont actually run and walk the course speading out across the lane shoulder to shoulder and talking with their friends making it very difficult for actual runners to pass... Also people that race with their dogs have got to keep them under control. (My suggestion to Organizers is to maybe do an etiquette review by the announcer prior to each race) The wife and I would do this one again - the only real draw back was it was incrediblly hot - which you just take your chances with mother nature.

(26th Half, 2015)…read more Elite Sports, its races included in the CA Half series and featuring around Ventura County, has a challenge, the Endurance Challenge: Complete ESCA events in the same calendar year, and your rewards are... ​​** 2 Events (same Distance) Half, 5k or 10k--Custom Club tech shirt. **** 4 Events (same Distance) Half, 5k or 10k--Runner's hat, ditty bag, and water bottle. ****** 6 Events (same Distance) Half, 5k or 10k--Large gear bag with Series logo. ******* 7 Events (same Distance) Half, 5k or 10k--Special Season finale medal presented at Holly Jolly Half in December! So that's why I'm here at the Holly Jolly Half and to receive my Endurance Challenge medal, one that I've worked toward for the entire year: 1. Camarillo Half (http://www.yelp.com/biz/camarillo-marathon-camarillo?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3) 2. West Hills Half (http://www.yelp.com/biz/west-hills-half-marathon-5k-10k-los-angeles?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3) 3. Seaside Half (http://www.yelp.com/biz/seaside-half-marathon-5k-10k-ventura?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3) 4. Shoreline Half (http://www.yelp.com/biz/shoreline-half-marathon-ventura?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3) 5. Arroyo Creek Half (http://www.yelp.com/biz/arroyo-creek-half-marathon-5k-10k-simi-valley?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3) 6. Harvest Half (which was sadly cancelled, but runners received credit for the finale medal anyway.) 7. Holly Jolly Half With the exception of the Arroyo Creek Half, all medals denoted each of the races. (Since the Halfs cost more, the coinciding medal, in my opinion, should stand on its own and not include the 5K and 10K runs.) However, the runs themselves are on the cheaper side, running about $60-$70 for the Halfs, so I just look the other way. I will say that the runs themselves aren't that entertaining, aren't as scenic as I'd like; but, again, they're easier on the wallet. If you're running the Ojai Half, though, it really is gorgeous and completely worth price. (I ran it in 2014: http://www.yelp.com/biz/ojai-half-marathon-5k-and-10k-ojai?ylist=run-fatboy-run-long-beach-3). The Endurance Challenge medal is a bit disappointing as well, anticlimactic; although the Gear Bag--received after running six events--is pretty cool. Nevertheless, Elite Sports' Halfs are included in the CA Half Series, and that's why I'd also run them, pushing myself to clear 20 Halfs for the year. All said and run, I'm unsure as to whether or not I would chase the Endurance Challenge again. I would just as soon pay a bit more for a more significant end-of-the-year series medal. (Again, Ojai would be the exception.) We'll see. Elite Sports looks as though it is growing. I'll keep my eyes open.

This race was close to home and super cheap. It was a smaller scale race, not your big advertised…read morekinda of race. Cost for the race was $45 and up until October it was still under $80 for the half marathon. Website was easy to navigate through and gave all pertinent information. Packet pickup was Saturday or on race day. You received a tech tshirt and a finishers medal for completing the race. Post race included bagels, oranges, water and electrolyte drink, awards for the top 3 in each category, awards for best costume and two food trucks (The Grilled Cheese truck and the ElaBrew Coffee truck). Course was mostly flat and included some street running and the majority was on a bike/running path. The half marathon was a two loop course, which is always a bummer. I would rather, get to one point and turn around than have to run the same course twice, looking at the same thing. The worst is getting to mile 7 and seeing the finish line and then having to run past it. UGGGGGG. Such a mind tease. Water and electrolyte stations were set up every couple miles and volunteers were always ready and friendly. Pros: -low registration fee -easy parking -cool medal -The Grilled Cheese Truck -happy volunteers -good aid stations -well organized Cons: -Wish the award categories were split up into smaller categories -2 loop course is a bummer -the paint on my medal was peeling and it had a red, white and blue ribbon....wasn't this a holiday race. Would have been better with holiday colors to match the actual holiday themed medal. -wish more people dressed up. -more spectators cheering on the runners would have been nice Would I do this one again? Maybe if they considered changing the course from a two loop to a one looper.

First time I've participated in the Live Ultimate Run Los Angeles....my guess is this is their…read morefirst year in LA? Not sure. The course is the typical 5K/10K course that is run for all the Santa Monica races. You start at Barnard and Ocean running along Ocean up San Vicente and back down ending towards the Santa Monica pier. Lovely course but the same for Heal the Bay 10K and Santa Monica Classic. Race was pretty organized and throughout the week leading up to the race, you were sent emails with details about the race start and finish and where to pick up your race packet information. I was a big fan of the t-shirt which was a form fitting and the small was actually a small which was pretty sweet. Expo was alright; there was a fitness instructor leading a class which seemed fun and the typical booths of : future races, drinks, equinox...etc etc.

tl,dr: A 5K with stairs - truly a unique exp! Will return for 1st place…read more Likes: + Event is pretty well organized. They use good technology for recording racers as they cross the finish line. + Plenty of decent parking along Jefferson Blvd. + The volunteers were really nice and helpful. + It was thoughtful of them to lead us in some stretching exercises right before the race. + Tacos & Mariachi band! Loved the abundance of taco ingredients. + There are restrooms and drinking water fountains by the Visitor Center up there. + Water stations strategically situated throughout the course. + It was very considerate of them to have free coconut water, snacks, and Pocari Sweat (Japanese sports drink). + I like the shirt color choice of burgundy. Hope they continue selecting shirt colors that we don't already have. + I felt pretty safe. Wasn't harassed by anyone. Non-likes: - Clear signs should've been posted around the venue before the day of. A few hrs before the race, I was wasting energy asking around the steep hills for the check-in booth. And they were still posting signs. - Funny how you gotta walk uphill for ~15min to reach the start of the race, like you're already doing the race BEFORE the race. Should've forewarned us new ppl more clearly. - Wish they had the entire race route mapped on Strava beforehand, so we have a clear idea of the entire path. I was confused a few times during the race. - The path is often SUPER NARROW, fitting only 2 people at a time, so it was very hard and time-wasting as you try to pass people. I should've started at the front of the starting line. - The announcers put the effort in pronouncing Hispanic names accurately but not other names. - They should've brought more tables and chairs for people to sit and eat after the race. - We also paid for the after-party til 11pm, but that didn't happen. No dancefloor or room to party up. I paid $54.50. Got a shirt, a medal, and tacos.

LA Race Fantastique (LARF for short) is the best scavenger hunt in the LA area. My boyfriend first…read moreheard about LARF three years ago from a Craigslist posting, and it sounded like a fun activity for us. We signed up with a friend of his and had a blast on our first try. We've now done LARF twice, and will complete our third on Sunday. It is a day long scavenger hunt with a particular theme. A few years ago, the hunt was done "Memento" style- each clue had to be worked backwards. Their latest one takes place on Sunday, and is loosely based on "There Will Be Blood." LARF takes you throughout ALL of LA. Who knows where you'll end up? From the valley, to Santa Monica pier, to the farmer's market in downtown, to Hollywood and Highland-- you'll go all over. If you are a local, really into movies, pop culture, and love a challenge, this is a great activity for you and a few like-minded friends. If you can't make it to one of their public races, Bob and Larry (the masterminds of LARF), can create a private race for you and your friends. It would make for an awesome birthday party or group event!

LARF (LA Race Fantastique) was an amazing way to spend my birthday. Bob and Larry helped…read morecommunicate with me on setting things up, working out timing, etc. They were even able to work out an even that would work with my relatively modest budget. The Event itself was lots of fun, with enough challenge to make solving clues feel like a real victory, without simply being trivia to look up on your iPhone (a big difference vs., for example, Race LA, and we got to see some parts of LA that were newer to some people. Our race involved a lot of walking, which was slightly unexpected, especially on a hot November day, but the race was timed well enough that travel breaks were incorporated into the race itself. From the introductory speech and the opening badges to the drink tokens and awards we received at the finish line, We felt warmly welcomed, and well taken care of throughout the race. I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone planning a party, or a fun activity. Most of our group were Angelenos, but the race seems straightforward enough that even people less familiar with the city could succeed. A very fun, interesting way to mark my 30th birthday! Thanks, Larry and Bob!

This is a great duathlon (run/bike/run) race program with a series of three races. I've been doing…read moretriathlons and duathlons in So Cal for about 5 years, but did the Camarillo Duathlon for the first time yesterday. I have to commend the race organizer -- Elite Sports Ventura County -- on a very well organized and well supported event. This is one of the smaller duathlons I've done in terms of number of participants, but it felt big time. Good volunteer support, well-marked course with sheriffs controlling traffic at intersections, technical t-shirts, finishers medals, free massages, nice swag, etc. I did the race as an early season training exercise to assess my race fitness. Both the run and bike courses are very flat and offered a good test of my straight speed without climbs and fast descents. I recommend this series highly whether you are new to the sport or have more experience want a fun challenge. I'll be back in April for the next race!

Had a fantastic time if that's possible doing something very tough and challenging as is the case…read moreof a Duathalon. It was my first after doing 6 full marathons and other runs. It was my first cycling competition. I haven't been cycling for long and have much to learn. Did the Olympian version, sprint was half version. Olympian was 2 loops of each leg. Run 3miles, 19.5 cycle, run 3miles. Run was flat and very doable if you don't mind loops. Ride was mostly flat but had it's challenges. A couple of small inclines, quiet and peaceful around the fields. Wind was tough at times. Event was very well organized. Volunteers were great, road police support at intersections were helpful. Had I gotten in trouble I would have hated walking back, no bike support for unexpected things like flat tires. Goody bag was ok for $42 Olympian version thru Living Social - Clif bar, technical tshirt, body glide, and reusable bag. Why not 5 's? Unexpected large turn out meant insufficient medals for many especially slower Olympic participants that came in after Sprint participants. They claim medals will b mailed in 4-6 weeks. Would I do it again and recommend? Absolutely! Great first Duathalon experience and many very experienced too but expect a challenge and train!

Xterra holds a series of trail runs throughout the year with the best of the best competing at the…read moreXterra Nationals. The Boney Mountain Trail Race is #4 of the series (7 total). There are two options for this run. A 6K and 21K. Since my fiancee and I are training for 2 marathons (LA And Paris) and a 1/2 Ironman Triathlon, we decided to go with the 21K (13 mile) course. The 21K course has 2,800 feet of climbing with 1,800 of that climb coming at mile 6-10. If you can get yourself up to the top or even close to the top the views are amazing (well if you aren't concerned with your time and can enjoy the views). This is a tough course. It's the toughest of the series. The course consist of very little pavement (in the beginning and the end), some fire roads and mostly singletrack. The race is well organized with a good amount of support. There are water/Gatorade stations scattered throughout the course and at least 1 or 2 Gu stops but I didn't stop since I usually carry my own nutrition on long runs. I'm sure the people were friendly. The one thing that stood out to me about this race was the amount of paramedics available. There seemed to be a couple of them station at every 3 miles or so. It goes to show how tough and dangerous this course can be. As the saying goes "what goes up must come down" the descents on this trail is pretty technical. If you can master the downhill and not be afraid you can pick up a lot of time. During the first practice run 3-4 weeks back I was hesitant on going full blast down the hills because I didn't want to eat dirt and I don't like pain. This time I decided to just go for it and make up as much time as possible. I'm so glad I did because I shaved a lot of time off. The weather was sunny on race day but cold. However, this wasn't the problem. The Santa Ana winds were blowing so it made the run a lot tougher in the beginning. Once you made it past the first 2 miles or so the wind wasn't bad until the last mile. The final 1/2 mile was the toughest because you knew you were at the end and wanted to give it your all only to have mother nature and her 20MPH head wind coming at you. It felt like running in slow motion. I really wish there was somebody I could have drafted off of. In the end I did have fun. Got my butt kicked by the trail but got a great workout and a better understanding of trail running. Happy runnings!

Fun, challenging course (the most challenging in their series)! I had run the Xterra Crystal Cove…read morerace, so I was familiar with the event and knew them to be small, but well-organized and efficient. I love that they offer same day packet pickup. The shuttling to Boney Mountain was great and easy to figure out. If you've never run a trail race, you should know the ambiance is different than a road race. It tends to draw a more "running for the sake of running" type crowd and obviously, on the trails, there is no crowd support, save for random hikers and runners who may give you well-wishes. The climbs in this race are no joke - prepare for a fair amount of walking unless you're in truly top condition! But the views are lovely, as was the trail. I love the finish line at Xterra events - it's always really enthusiastic, especially given how small the race field is. They have good food following the race and usually some giveaways and lots of age category prizes. The medals are small and definitely "budget" but these aren't big races, so that's par for the course. I would highly recommend Xterra events to someone new to trail running who wants a more structured way to explore the trails. I plan on doing more in the future - I really enjoyed the vibe of the Xterra races and this race in particular was the right combination of challenging and beautiful!