This was my 4th time running this race. Packet pick up was a breeze the day before the race. New this year- no bibs just a shirt. I was fine with not having a bib as they never really mattered in this race. The race is gun timed not chip timed and times are recorded via post card handed to you as you cross the finish line. The race is almost free ($25!) and the money raised by the firehouse goes to local charities. Instead of starting gun, racers start to the sound of a fire truck horn.

The race is a 1/2 mile on roads, 2 miles on trails and finishes with another 1/2 mile on the road. All the road parts are flat and offer an easy run. The 2 miles on trails involves a beast of a mountain followed by an awesome downhill. There is one water station at the base of the trail head so you pass it twice on the way in and out. The course is well marked and volunteers man all the sections where you could make a wrong turn. The trail and views are pretty especially with the rain California has had recently.

I was fatigued going into this race which made mile 2 a little rough. Mile 1 got off to a great start while on the road and I held steady (for me) up the switchbacks. Mile 2 saw more climbing and more walking. The single track bottle necked but opened up near the top. Once we hit the peak, I tried to make up time on the downhill. I tend to careen crazily downhill and this is a perfect race for that. I think I was smiling like a fool. Mile 3 had one last hill before heading back to the road. My legs were feeling the earlier climb and I wasn't able to pick up the pace as much as I would have liked. It's a tough race and it makes you work for that finish line.

Coming into the finish, you can hear the RD trying his best to give everyone a shout out. He does a good job. Results are posted fairly quickly and everyone can stick around for a tri tip bbq. The race is small and low key but it is one I look forward to running year after year.