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    Yosemite Half Marathon

    4.1 (9 reviews)

    Yosemite Half Marathon Photos

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    Jennifer M.

    Such a fun 1/2! I did 2 yrs ago at their 1st race there. They have made some nice improvements. Not so extreme on the downhills like 2015 was, so my quads didn't burn out. 1st 5 miles on a fire/ logging road so that made it a bit technical and you really needed to pay attention to the mid holes and ricks. Next 5 was paved road and fast downhill and last 3 were gentle rollers. Scenery was lovely... water was flowing. The vacation race leaders did and awesome job announcing and giving awards! I even placed 5th in my age group..nice they recognized up to 5th place. Vacation race company really goes up and beyond other races to make sure you have a unique and pleasurable experience. I definitely want to do more other the vacation race series! Great job!

    Renee I.

    This is a beautiful race but just know you are not in Yosemite but about 30 min away from south entrance. The 1st 4.5 miles was a trail run then you hit paved road. Lots of down hills that were slightly steep in few sections then last 3 miles are gently rolling hills. After all the down hill that section was hard. This race was a challenge bc of the elevation so train harder. The race shuttle system was chaos for us although I think some people did not have any issues. Traffic was so bad to get to parking lot we waited at stoplight for 25-30 min. We when got to the top to start race it was hard to get layout of what was where. I will say that a bus company failed to show up that morning so that threw a wrench into organization! I think the race organization is somewhat casual in their approach- which is just fine and in many ways preferable. I would definitely recommend this race but maybe stay in Oakhurst so you can walk to shuttle bus.

    Cool sign with the names of all 2000+ race participants
    Janelle Q.

    The Yosemite Half is one of many national park races hosted by Vacation Races, + 2016 was its 2nd year hosting this race. I had a blast participating this year with a team of 11 friends, 5 of whom also signed up to hike Half Dome with me the day after as part of the Half Dome Challenge (more on this later.) * Positives * - The RACE GUIDE was sent out 2 full weeks prior to race day, quite thorough + not chock full of ads like other races [ahem, Disney] are http://bit.ly/2fUzHHH - Expo was small but hassle-free. Loved that we had a choice of 3 colors for shirts! - As the race starts in Oakhurst + ends in Bass Lake, there are SHUTTLES provided to/from designated parking lots. While the logistics of this didn't work seamlessly, I was happy they existed, even if it did mean waking up at 3AM to make it to the 4:30-5AM shuttle departure window - The COURSE was great! Though none of the race is actually in Yosemite-proper [deceptive naming, I know], the Oakhurst/Bass Lake area is nicely scenic + remote. The first 4ish miles were on dirt trail https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yosemite-half-marathon-oakhurst?select=AoyTfBFF9piKEPzs_E7yaA, + the latter section is paved road https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yosemite-half-marathon-oakhurst?select=e25XiQ_NIOHXKPNA6sgKVw. The net downhill course meant the wind was at my feet + time flew by quickly. If I hadn't stopped to take so many pictures, it could have been a PR for me! - This year's field was only ~2,300 runners, which meant the road was gloriously spacious for majority of the 13.1 miles, as you can see in my photos above. Races of this caliber rarely have such a SMALL FIELD! However, this is also why the race to sold out 8 months before race day for 2016 + is already sold out for 2017 - A clothing drop-off was provided at mile 3--like a secondary gear check for extra layers after warming up. So thoughtful! - Another rare perk of this race was FREE FOOD on the course! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yosemite-half-marathon-oakhurst?select=Uv_YO3TzoOVPCQFS_0px0A Two of the aid stations had bananas, oranges, + electrolyte gels in addition to water + electrolyte drink - A free finisher PHOTO OPP was available post-race from the official race photographers http://bit.ly/2gitruj - In general, the design of the bibs, shirt, + overall marketing were well-done. In particular, the FINISHER MEDAL is gorgeous! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yosemite-half-marathon-oakhurst?select=dwVXq5hxbT-LqVsLrQev5w Bigger than my palm, colorful, double-sided engraved design, has the date on it, + all hanging from a thick, silky ribbon. This is probably my favorite medal of all time. - As an incentive to explore Yosemite National Park before/after the race, there are fun challenges to hike + see. http://yosemitehalfmarathon.com/clubs-and-trifecta/ Now a proud member of the 2016 Half Dome Club, this challenge absolutely made the trip more valuable for an adventure-seeker like me * Negatives * - As the other reviews mentioned, the traffic getting to the shuttle pick-up parking lots + then the bottleneck unloading at the start line were a bit chaotic. The local roads are only 1-lane in each direction so expecting hundreds of cars to arrive at 1 parking lot with 1 driveway at the same time in a timely fashion was wishful thinking on the organizer's part. - The starting line was messy. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yosemite-half-marathon-oakhurst?select=_VY2D-wgV84f8UrL_Sxo6w There were supposed to be 9 corrals, but it was difficult finding ours as they weren't spread out + there were no clear 2-sided signage or barriers. We had to stumble through woods/shrubbery/people to get to the gear check truck in the middle of the corrals + then swim upstream to find our corrals from there - It probably around 40F degrees out when we started. While of course the weather can't be controlled, having a race when such limb-numbing morning temperatures are typical is potentially dangerous. I had a jacket + long-sleeve on but couldn't feel my fingers until a few miles in. A heads up to pack gloves + extra layers would have been nice. Even the starting line MC was freezing https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yosemite-half-marathon-oakhurst?select=Fbszrt90INBIkyBRqde9jQ * Overall * Having run 15 halfs + several OCR/fun runs/shorter distances over the last 5 years, I've seen my fair share of highs + lows in terms of production value from race organizers. Giving 4 stars sounds about right. There were so many pluses to this race experience, + the coordinators seem to be making adjustments each year based on the feedback of participants--the most obvious of which is changing the date for 2017's race from October to May--so I trust that they will continue to improve the race with each year. So despite the logistics issues, I see + appreciate the amount of detail that Vacation Races put into organizing the Yosemite Half + look forward to doing another one of their national park races in the future.

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    The Heavenly Half Marathon

    The Heavenly Half Marathon

    5.0(2 reviews)
    39.1 km

    (Half #7, 2015) From…read morealmost 5000 feet up, amidst and atop the beautiful Sierras and the local foothills of Auberry, lie increasingly scenic and awe-inspiring views of the blanketing valleys below, beautifully green and heavily spring-abundant. The roads, lined with pines, meander and curl, making their way closer and closer to the mountain floor. The air, chilled from a snowfall the evening before, is clean, crisp, and still. And I ran it! This isn't just a Half; it's a Heavenly Half. And it's truly one of the most beautiful courses that I've run to date. Added, the route is almost entirely downhill, point to point, beginning in front of Cressman's General Store on Hwy 168--forget trying to find cell service--and ending at Auberry Elementary School off Auberry Road. Soul 2 Sole has paid so much attention to the running aesthetic that I quite possibly won't be able to fully appreciate anything less from this moment onward. Yes, I was THAT amazed! "Heavenly" blue skies and majestically brilliant, silver-lined clouds: and He said to Moses, "Climb the mountain to God." But what's even better is that Soul 2 Sole has a three-race challenge, all of which are part of the CA Half & Full Marathon Series: it begins with Auberry's "Heavenly Half"; moves on to Exeter's "One Hell of a Half" during the fiery, August heat; and finishes with "Judgement Day" in Bakersfield. Complete the trio, and you'll receive the following: * Soul Half Marathon Series Jacket ** Wall Medal Holder for your bling *** Soul Series Mega Medal **** VIP Treatment at Judgment Day Half The swag for the Heavenly Half was amazing just the same: * Early registrants received Insulated Event Coffee Mugs and Runner's Hats. ** Very cool Finisher Medals and Heavenly Half Stadium Blankets for everyone. *** A tasty, hot breakfast served with Top O' The Morn Chocolate Milk. This race was awesome. If you decide to run it, wait until the Heavenly Half--a race that sells out quickly, limited to only 1,250 participants--when it commences in March. To complete the Challenge means doing so in the same calendar year. And the series challenge medal...it's said to be legendary!

    I love this event. Never missed one. This is a great course. However, the last one that we did on…read more03 18 2018 was pretty challenging though. Temperature was very low, road conditions were tough, black ice was there for at least the first 7 miles which forced me to stop numerous times as I refused to take these falls on black ice. I will still come back. Always. :)

    Photos
    The Heavenly Half Marathon
    The Heavenly Half Marathon - The starting line, 5000 ft. up.  It's all downhill from here.

    The starting line, 5000 ft. up. It's all downhill from here.

    The Heavenly Half Marathon

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    Mammoth Half Marathon - Deena Kastor

    Mammoth Half Marathon

    5.0(4 reviews)
    69.6 km

    I ran this half marathon in 2019. It was one of the better organized races that I've run. The race…read morepacket pick-up was conveniently located at The Village. The venue was really small so there was a line getting inside, but once you've made it inside and it's your turn, it doesn't take too long. They have several different pre-race shuttle pick-up locations throughout Mammoth Lakes to transport you to the starting area. They have maps at packet pick-up to help you decide on which one to take. They hand out mylar blankets at the starting area next to where the shuttles drop you off. The course is pretty hilly, so make sure to do your hill training. Also if you can, get up to Mammoth as early as possible so you can get acclimated to the thinner air. Despite the difficulty, the course offers a lot of great scenery all throughout the race! They have a lot of post race goodies waiting for you once you've reached the finish line. They also have computers for you to look up your results.

    (15th Half, 2015)…read more Running the High Sierras is simply stunning! The race begins at Horseshoe Lake, nearly 9,000 ft. above sea level. Runners are shuttled from all partnering hotels--we stayed at the Sierra Nevada Resort, just feet from the finish line--and from Mammoth High School's parking lot. The weather is pretty chilly in downtown Mammoth Lakes, but up at Horseshoe, it's easily 10 degrees cooler. (Thankfully, I'd worn compression pants and a long-sleeved tech.) If you're planning this run, consider layers. After about a mile in, the route loops around Mary Lake, a beautiful mile-two inclusion, early risers trout fishing, enjoying the crisp morning air, and applauding runners onward. By mile nine, the tree-lined paths, meandering streams, and picturesque bridges of Inyo National Forest add to this breathtaking run--and I do mean that literally. (I'd never run at such high elevation before. Sometimes it was difficult to get a deep breath!) Nevertheless, this race was awesome, and it just kept getting better and better! I'd run Mammoth's Half as part of the San Diego/Mammoth Challenge--completing the San Diego Half Marathon in March and the Mammoth Half Marathon in the same calendar year. Certainly, it's a lengthy drive from Orange County to Mammoth Lakes, but the medals for finishing Mammoth's Half and for completing the Challenge are dynamite! Easily, these awards are some of my favorites, and I'll look forward to running the Challenge again.

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    Mammoth Half Marathon
    Mammoth Half Marathon - Mylar blankets handed out at the starting area

    Mylar blankets handed out at the starting area

    Mammoth Half Marathon - 2019 swag

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    2019 swag

    Two Cities Marathon and Half

    Two Cities Marathon and Half

    3.0(7 reviews)
    51.7 km

    I LOVE love LOVE this race! It has something for everyone....ultra marathon, regular marathon, two…read moredifferent half marathons that you can enter into as a walker or runner, and even one that you can split in half and do as a team relay (two person). The accompanying events (a fitness expo and after race amenities) are awesome....as is the organization (plenty of port-o-potties, water stations, etc). And with each racer receiving a shirt, and finishers receiving sweat shirts, medals, brownie sundaes, breakfast, massages, and a trip to the wine/beer garden after (I'm always too tired to enjoy this), this is one of the most swag-rich races in the state. Of course, having it in my own "backyard" doesn't hurt. I've done the race twice in the past, and look forward to bettering my time next year, and the year after that!

    Two Cities Eye-Q Marathon and a Half was the most exciting marathon in California yet. Dean…read moreKarnazes was a phenomenal speaker and motivator. It was definitely a treat to have him as our guest speaker. I don't think many of us know or understand his accomplishments. The man is legendary. Overall, I thought the course was fairly flat and fast. It's a small race ( 200-250 Ultra, 400-450 Full, 3800 Halfs, and many many relays. (6,000 runners / walkers with 1,500 volunteers) This marathon is quite new to Fresno. This was just its 3rd running, so you can imagine how many newbies are here. I don't mind it but I'd wish they knew common etiquette. I do, however give kudos to all who have tried running, supported, and volunteered for this event. Without it, it would be meaningless. I was impressed on how well it was run, although, I felt some of the organizer could of done better. I also really appreciated that the marathon only cost $90 ($75 half, $65half relay) and had the best swag. I got a long sleeve black / blue technical shirt, a racing cap, a finisher's medal and a sweatshirt! Not to mention all the goodies after the race... Definitely, a recommendation to all new runner due to course, it's not challenging at all unless you do the Ultra. My advice- train better (w/ a pace setter, a team), smarter with technology, , mentally, physically, emotionally, and diligently. Slow and steady wins the race. "Drive less, run more, and save the planet for tomorrow." - Stanley K For other marathons throughout California, check out: http://www.halfmarathons.net/race_calendar_california.html OR around the world: http://www.halfmarathons.net/ For a good read: pick up The Courage to Run - "A guide to running for your life" by John " The Penquin" Bingham ( Great for anyone starting off ) or: Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen ( Ideal for intermediate ) Are you 50 miles in 50 days...ready? :) Hoorah! Good Luck! And please don't think Fresno suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), because most days, we don't! :)

    The Big Fresno Fair - Jack Sparrow

    The Big Fresno Fair

    3.2(104 reviews)
    67.1 km

    Opening day/night of The Big Fresno Fair (note you must have a clear bag now instead of a purse or…read morebackpack, but they'll give you a tiny complimentary one if you don't have one). I'm missing the horse racing though (as they don't have horse racing this year). I really enjoyed that part of the fair so hopefully they'll bring it back next year. IDK? I'm here tonight to see Joan Jett in concert. So far spent, $20 parking,$15 entrance fee, $11 for a plastic cup of J. Lohr Cab and $15 for a Corn Dog. & $9 for Elote corn... Oh, and I ran into Jack Sparrow ;D

    Took the boys with me this year, as my eldest daughter ventures off with her friends on the rides…read more My daughter sends me a video of some girls fighting in line to go on a ride. Of course anything for the kids because for them price isn't a concern. They enjoyed every moment of it just being out and about with the scene. I helped myself to some local whipped honey and bee pollen. The corn dog and curly fries brick was about $25 and the grilled corn was $7. The sea lion show attracted many people and a lady going around with bubbles had the kids jumping with joy, my toddler enjoyed both. If you look past the food, there's still much to enjoy. I just got food items that my kids would enjoy. I'll be going to the RnB Concert this week so we will see how that goes, I kind of scoped if there was any new vendors. I think I'll just be going for the usual smoked turkey leg and sticky cinnamon roll:)

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    The Big Fresno Fair - Captain Jack !!

    Captain Jack !!

    The Big Fresno Fair
    The Big Fresno Fair - Big Fresno Fair ferris wheel

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    Big Fresno Fair ferris wheel

    Yosemite Half Marathon - races - Updated May 2026

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