I had heard so many fantastic things about the Diva series that I had to run at least one. Billed as one of the top female only distance races, how could i pass up the opportunity when my husband had to travel to CA on business?

Registration was easy and the event organizers sent timely updates. At the time this race was being held, California was being inundated with rain. There was concern that the winery could have some flooding and the organizers suggested trail and or structured running shoes. My impression of the course from their website was 4-5 miles on the road and 6-7 miles on a gravel type path/road through the winery.

The state had seen a tremendous amount of rain for months and when we arrived in Temecula, it was overcast and raining. The forecast was calling for torrential downpours overnight with clearing by mid morning, so there was a chance that we'd be running in some sort of precipitation.

Packet pick up was held at the winery where the race started and finished. Not tremendously organized but fairly efficient. Along with tutus we also received running jackets (really nice) and our ticket included a wine tasting on the premises either at packet pick up or after the race. I opted for drinking at packet pick up. Not only did I get a flight of wine, but also a commemorative Diva Half Marathon wine glass. Boy was that fun packing in my suitcase!!

The expo was small, selling mostly Diva paraphernalia and was outside on the patio of the winery. And by the way, it was raining. Needless to say we didn't spend much time or money there. My hubby splurged on a nice Diva running shirt for me.

Parking was in the town of Temecula at a parking garage and we took busses up to the Winery. Because of the significant rain the night before, the shuttles could only disembark in one location on the premises and they continually got stuck in the mud. Once there, plenty of porta johns at the start and they even had some tents set up at the winery (which was not open yet). My hubby was able to find a spot under the tent with a chair near a fire pit to keep warm on such a raw day.

The race started about 15 minutes late due to the busses. Although a shotgun start, there were no pace groups and I started the race behind a trio of older walkers (I'm 52 so.........) First 4.5 miles was on the road, flat and a bit down hill. The only "significant" hill in the race comes in at mile 4.5. They said a 3% grade, but I would say that's not true. It was not long, but it was steep. About 3/4 of mile past the hill, we went off road onto what looked like a sand/mud mixture wide lane. In some places, it was very wet and sucked your shoes in, in others it was quasi dry. At this point, there are no more spectators, just the runners and some course volunteers.

As you meandered on the sandy road, the terrain became hillier, again, not steep difficult hills, but more consistent rolling than i had expected. Keeping in mind, lots of rain, the sandy road was pitted with pot holes, running streams, in some places, they laid wooden pallets over the running water. These became slippery from mud and allowed only one runner to cross at a time. Around the 9 mile mark, you found some life in a DJ set up as you turned around and headed for the finish. Since it was an out and back at that point, it was over the rivers and through the pot holes again.

Around mile 12, you were back on the road, down hill headed for the winery. Again, no spectators, but you could hear the party at the finish fine. As i entered the winery, heading up hill (why do they do that???) you collected your tiara and boa and headed for the finish. Your ginormous medal awaited you at the end. Lots of free photos and less than stellar food at the finish, but a banana and some water was fine.

Although all about girl power, great swag and lovely views, $175 was a lot to pay for this race. My guess is it would have been better without the rain, mud and pot holes. Not much on the spectator side, but great goodies and pretty well run.

The Rutgers Unite was my second half marathon. I was looking forward to running with a friend who had done it before and loved it. This is a great race for a first timer.

Held on the Rutgers University Campuses, you start a stones throw away from the Football Stadium in the middle of the campus. This is a shot gun start and pacers were well marked and set up in the corral. Multiple announcements told walkers and slower runners to move to the back of the field. As usual, there were quite a few scattered within the throngs of runners.

The course is flat and winds it way through the various campuses within Piscataway. Lots of spectators at the onset. Around mile 4 or 5 we headed out to remote part of campus turned around and came back through campus and the starting line. From there it was around the football stadium, over route 18 and then headed over to Johnson Park which is directly across the street from the campus. Nice flat rolling out and back before heading into mile 11, which sent us up into the main part of New Brunswick to the finish line. Like all half marathons, the final mile is all up hill (why????) to a straight away into the finish.
As you hit that straightaway, the road is lined on both sides with spectators that are so loud you are compelled to find your last ounce of energy to bring it home.

Swag was just okay (got a coffee mug along with my shirt). Race photos were not free but you could get a short movie clip of your finish. NOTE - download as soon as available. They purge the clips after a few months. Don't just copy the link, download the clip.

About 7000 participants between half marathon and 8k, so not an overwhelming race, mostly flat course and so far my best time.

The Rutgers Unite was my second half marathon. I was looking forward to running with a friend who had done it before and loved it. This is a great race for a first timer.

Held on the Rutgers University Campuses, you start a stones throw away from the Football Stadium in the middle of the campus. This is a shot gun start and pacers were well marked and set up in the corral. Multiple announcements told walkers and slower runners to move to the back of the field. As usual, there were quite a few scattered within the throngs of runners.

The course is flat and winds it way through the various campuses within Piscataway. Lots of spectators at the onset. Around mile 4 or 5 we headed out to remote part of campus turned around and came back through campus and the starting line. From there it was around the football stadium, over route 18 and then headed over to Johnson Park which is directly across the street from the campus. Nice flat rolling out and back before heading into mile 11, which sent us up into the main part of New Brunswick to the finish line. Like all half marathons, the final mile is all up hill (why????) to a straight away into the finish.
As you hit that straightaway, the road is lined on both sides with spectators that are so loud you are compelled to find your last ounce of energy to bring it home.

Swag was just okay (got a coffee mug along with my shirt). Race photos were not free but you could get a short movie clip of your finish. NOTE - download as soon as available. They purge the clips after a few months. Don't just copy the link, download the clip.

About 7000 participants between half marathon and 8k, so not an overwhelming race, mostly flat course and so far my best time.

This is another great race for a beginner. Very flat and very fast. Unfortunately it poured rain in 2016 and was not as fun as i had hoped.

The expo was great, very well run. Lots of opportunities to have photo's taken, freebies and lots of vendors and the usual race Tech T-shirt was given out.

The Start was at Monmouth raceway which has lots of off premise parking with a short walk to the starting line. Lots of porto potties and because of the size of this event, corral numbers for all. It started to mist at the start, but once Born to Run was blaring out of the PA and our corral was released, the rain was forgotten for at least 8 miles.

The course itself is flat. The only elevation changes were bridges over water and these were not steep in any way. The course meandered through Asbury, Long Branch, Monmouth beach and few other small shore towns. My husband managed to meet us at mile 2.5 and then again in the heart of Long Branch where they separate the Marathoners and Half Marathoners. I would say somewhere around mile 10 or 11. Porta potties are scattered along the course, but only 1-2 are available so there are long lines. I witnessed lots of people ducking behind trees and construction sites for relief.

Everywhere on this course are spectators EVEN in the pouring rain. God Bless these folks. Banging drums, hitting cowbells and just cheering everyone on.

As we made the last turn towards the ocean, the wind was cold, and we were unable to run on the wider boardwalk due to being so slippery. Instead we ran on a very narrow access road that brought us to the finish. My husband said it was a short walk from downtown Long Branch to the actual finish line and he was able to catch us as we crossed.

They handed out golf towels instead of mylar blankets (bad move) and basically thrust water and banana's into your hands as you came through the finish area. By the time i cleared the gates, I couldn't hold anything. We had sent clothing ahead on the trucks and ducked into the tents to change into dry clothes.

No afterparty or beer for us, we just wanted the warmth of the car. No free pictures and an unimpressive finishers medal.

I'd like to try this one again without the rain and see if I can't PR!