Expo- same location as race event - a mall parking lot. Quick and easy with the option to shop or sample goodies. Here I picked up my cinch bag, long sleeved-tech shirt, and 3/4 zip jacket. Although I felt kind of weird receiving my "finisher" shirt without having actually finishing anything yet.
Parking - Awesome! Participants were able to utilize the mall's parking lot. Free and Easy...just like Sunday Morning (sorry, couldn't resist ;)
Pre-race - Lots of porta potties - even more runners...so it was a bit chaotic. Gear check was easy. The race waves were released quickly. I was in wave 6 and it only took me about 20 mins to get to the start line.
Race Course - mostly flat out-and-back with a few rolling hills. You'll start feeling it around mile 10. But most of the course runs along Hwy 101, so lots of beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean!
Course Support - This is where I would give this event 10+++ stars! Lots of bathrooms, medical personnel, volunteers, spectators. Hydration stations, including water, Ultima, and Vaseline at every other mile and at some points, every mile. I didn't even bring any of my own water with me and I felt fine. Tons of spectators cheering, high fiving, and holding signs. One lovely man even handed out tequila shots around mile 2 and he was the real MVP. Thank you, tequila man.
Post-race - At the finish, we received medals, nom-nom bags, chocolate milk, and mylar blankets. Not many vendors, only a handful compared to other racing events. Ballast Point was handing out free beer in the beer garden and there were no lines or crowds. I took advantage of the taco truck and grabbed a shrimp taco for about $4. There was also a Cryo mobile truck but I wasn't down to disrobe and drop $30 for $3 minutes of a dry ice bath. A photo booth area was set up since this race is part of the Triple Crown Series. If you're not familiar, the Triple Crown Series includes the Carlsbad half, La Jolla Half, and America's Finest City. If you run all three in one year, you get extra bling.
Pricing - Fair - $80-$150 depending on when you register.
Medal/Swag - not a ton of post-race swag, but the medal is large and has the date etched on the back which is a nice touch.
Overall thoughts - A fun race that I would definitely do again! I ran it with a couple of friends, but even if you ran it by yourself, you definitely wouldn't feel alone with all of the crowd support! I wasn't able to PR because of a toe injury that haunted me around mile 5, but you definitely could PR on this course.
Check out my blog for more details and more pics of this event! https://theswagmama.com