I purposely needed to find a way to get out of the PNW and the Heritage Run was my excuse. If only I remembered that I had signed up for, booked flights and hotels for it (life happens- 10 days in a row and going to the Rose Bowl). None the less, I made it out to Riverside for the Citrus Heritage Run.

Packet Pick up: Noon-5 pm on the Friday prior to the race and starting at 6 AM on race morning. They keep it basic with shirts, bibs and that’s about it. Pick up is at the Arlington Sports Complex

Parking: Arlington Sports Complex, Bethel Christian School and one other location that I can’t remember off the top of my head.

Race Distances: 5K, 10K and Half Marathon. And a kids fun run for the little ones

Race Start/Finish: Off Victoria right next to the Arlington Sports Complex. The half starts at 630, the 10K at 730 and the 5K closer to 830/9 AM

The course: I appreciated that it went through the Citrus State Park, however, the 3-4 different terrains took it’s toll on me. Be prepared for road, dirt, gravel and anything that can grow citrus. I feel like anytime we were in the citrus fields, I was trying to not land in a pothole or trying to not sprain an ankle. You start out on Victoria, make your way to Cleveland Ave and then into the Citrus State Park. Once you wind in and out and make it back. On the roads for the rest of the course, be prepared for some out and back portions of the course, before ultimately getting back on Victoria Ave for the rest of the course. Be prepared for some hills the first half and change of the course

Aid Stations: I kind of wish there were more. There didn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to the distance between them. Did appreciate the oranges though

Post race: enjoy some medals, water and bananas. Also a beer tent at the end floor people 21+ years old. I really wish chocolate milk was involved. Also, a few other races were available to sign up for. Some were part of a series that included the Citrus Heritage Run and if you completed it, you got extra bling.

Overall, good race if you’re local, but the terrain part would make me think hard about this one