Expo- As a small race for the local high school music program, there is no expo just a packet pick up. Pick up can be done at high school the day before the race or the morning of. Packet pick up the day before takes less than 5 minutes. They are very well organized and prepared. T shirts are cotton with the race logo on the front while the back has the tagline of " I ran with the band". The bibs are designed for the race which is nice as most small races use the free Road ID ones.

Race day- The race starts and ends on the high school track. Prior to the races start, there is a warm up led by a local fitness instructor. Then the flag is presented while everyone says the Pledge of Allegiance before the school choir sings the National Anthem.

The race starts and ends on the high school track. From the start, you run out through the parking lot to trail through a tunnel of cypress trees. The trail has some troublesome roots that could trip you up but they are spray painted a bright pink for visibility. The drum line plays for you as you prepare to leave the cypress tunnel. From there runners traverse 100 yards of soft sand before arriving at the shore line and running along the beach until the respective turn around points for each race. There are 2 more music stations up to the 10K turnaround where there is also a water station. From there it is back the way you came along the beach and through the tree tunnel (drum line!) to finish on the track.

The race offers AG awards but no medals for finishers, which is typical of races in the area. Finish line food was great for a small race- bottles of water, orange slices, bananas, and pretzels. There are also bands at the finish line.

The race is small but organized well. My only gripe was the start time. This year the races started at 10:00. That is very late for a race in CA in May. It warmed up very quick out there. I know that it must have has something to do with the tides as they were highest I've ever seen for a beach race. High to the point where I wondered how the half marathoners were going to be able to finish. Other than that, I would totally recommend this race to anyone. I look forward to running it next year.