This is a small town race with a big crowd. Most local races draw 200ish people, this one pulls in over 1000. Cramming that many people into one 6 mile stretch of beach sounds claustrophobic but in reality it's awesome. The 10K is point to point- from the rock to the pier- while the half marathon loops around the pier and back to the rock with a 1 mile detour right before the end. The 10K actually only measures 6 miles. The half marathon is limited to 350 runners.

Packet Pickup can be done the day before or on race day. There is no expo to speak of just a pickup. That said, this race always delivers with great swag. This year included a tech tee, 13.1 running hat, sling bag, race specific bib along with the usual paper flyers and free samples. 10k's received a cotton shirt and a drawstring bag.

Race management was on top of communications prior to the race. Emails were sent out detailing the course and the areas of the beach to avoid. They were also very clear on notifying us that due to some large winter storms, the shoreline had changed and as a result part of the course included large rock outcroppings to cross. They also had signs up reminding runners of that at packet pickup.

Race start depends on the tides and this year that was 8:30. Both races start at the same time. The start line had plenty of port- of potties which is nice as there are no on course bathrooms.* The race started exactly on time. Running on the beach in July is gorgeous, even with the marine layer, you cannot complain about the scenery. There were 2 Aid stations on the way to the pier and 3 on the way back.

Running on the sand uses all your muscles so it's definitely a different experience than a road half. Runners hit the rocks around 2.3 miles in and they were tricky. They were not runnable and people got a little backed up as we all picked our way across. Then it was back to the sand. At the pier, the 10K's split off to the right for their finish line and the half runners stayed straight and looped around under the pier to head back towards the rock. The rock patch was trickier on the way back. Also the source of my one complaint- on the way out volunteers pointed out where to cross- on the way back there was no volunteer in sight. About 1 mile from the rock runners head up off the beach onto soft, sand for a mile loop on a paved path through a park. *There are beach bathrooms here if needed as well as an extra aid station. From there it's back down the soft sand to shoreline and back to the rock. Again, it's the beach in July so at this point there will be more beachgoers out and about. They do not always yield to runners.

You finish back at the start where you recieve a medal. There is also water for the finishers and a giant breakfast being served. This year they also offered free race pictures. Both timing results and race pictures were up on race day, impressive turn around.

Overall- this is a great race, just the right size and fun to run. The beach will never be fast territory for me but I love this race. This was my third year running one of the distances. I will be back next year.