Disclosure: I am a BibRave Pro and received a free entry to the Foothill 5k Challenge in exchange for helping to promote and review the race. After the race I felt VERY lucky to have had this opportunity. Now, on to the review!

Frankly, I am really surprised the field for this race was so small. There were about 300 people. I don't know what the event permit would have allowed, but I would love to see that double for next year because the scenery is gorgeous, the event is seamless and low-key, and the cause is a really good one. Seriously, if you're within driving distance and you don't go, you're robbing yourself. (I count myself lucky that I happened to be in town.)

(By the way...If you are not familiar with Back On My Feet--the beneficiary of this event--open another tab and use your Google-fu to read about the great work they do. Running really does change lives, whether you are a kid, a suburban housewife, a college student, or even experiencing homelessness. It's a universal tribe.)

I had no idea what to expect, other than the elevation gain (which, frankly, kinda scared the snot out of me, a not-fast, not-technical runner). Since the race website actively stated it was okay to hike the course as long as you were courteous and appropriately self-seeded, that was my plan.

Parking that is right next to the sports complex is limited, and I got the very last spot. There was plenty of overflow parking just a short walk away though, and I didn't hear anyone complaining. (If you're local and can carpool, I would recommend it--then you can rock-paper-scissors for who the designated driver is for the after party!) The complex is pretty big, but it was apparent where to go. After entering the initial paved area, there were chalk arrows and labels directing runners where to go.

There was a packet pickup opportunity the day before the race (hosted by race sponsor Run With Us, which I totally want to check out on my next LA trip) and I think a decent number of locals went to that. I didn't, because I was in town for a conference and I had classes all day, so I went to the day-of packet pickup line. Initially it seemed long, but the volunteers dished up bibs and shirts pretty swiftly so I didn't spend much time waiting. There were plenty of shirts, and when the size I selected didn't look quite right, I was able to swap out for a different size, no problem. There was also a race-day registration option that some people took. They didn't really wait in line either. I had plenty of time to walk back to my car to stash the shirt and stuff bag, and put my bib on.

The corral was 100% self-seeded. Since I knew I was going to walk/hike and not do much running (plus I wanted to stop and snap pictures for my blog), I hopped in at the back. As more people entered, I just kept on moving back! There were people of every age, shape, and body type. There were plenty of super-fast runners, and there were plenty of people hiking/walking. Prior to letting the corrals go, the announcer and race director gave some general safety tips (careful on the single-file areas, announce your passing) and some course-specific ones (in the area with two-way traffic, stay LEFT). Because a decent part of the course was single-track, the corral was started in three waves.

To my delight, not only did the self-seeded corral work perfectly, everyone I run around, or who ran around me, or who I otherwise observed, had absolutely delightful running manners. Most people around me were carrying a water bottle, and no one threw it on the trail. People called ahead before passing, and were polite and said "thank you." When we got to the two-way-street part, runners actually did what they were instructed to do. (Bad runner manners are a total pet peeve of mine, so this was pretty awesome.)

The views were absolutely gorgeous. After running a brief flat, the course headed onto the trail. Despite my initial apprehension about the elevation gain, it really wasn't bad. Think rolling hills--some up, a little down, repeat--until the final ascent. Sure, I wasn't trying to run it (which was a good thing, since I'd taken a High-X class with Gabby Reece and my thighs were toast), but it wasn't terrible in terms of difficulty. I stopped to snap a picture now and then, but I also stopped to admire the view. I'm not the most coordinated of runners, and trails are bumpyish, so I tend to look down quite a bit while running/walking. The views were so beautiful. I stopped to read the historical plaque about the town too.

While there were not a ton of places to park an aid station, there was an access road right at the apex, and race volunteers had trucked in a few cases of water bottles. At the starting line we had all been encouraged to pre-hydrate (there were bottles of water and cups of Gatorade), and to take a water bottle with us. Since I hadn't packed a hydration kit, I took a bottle with me and had almost drained it by the time I hit the top, so I was glad to swap it for a full one.

There were also volunteers along the course at intervals to check on the runners, point out rough patches, and direct the two-way traffic. Those volunteers had to hike or run up to their stations, which makes them extra awesome volunteers, in my eyes.

After I hit the top and got back down again, I passed the finish line aid station and chugged some Gatorade and grabbed another bottle of water. Sponsor Bimbo had a tent with bagels, and there were so many bagels that runners were encouraged to take a bag of six. (I don't turn down free food.) I watched the low-key awards ceremony, and though I'll never run a course like that in 20 minutes I admired those who did--both younger and older. After a stretch with some of the YogaWorks team (another race sponsor), a decent chunk of the runners headed to the after party at Golden Road Brewing.

Since I don't know the area, I did ask my iPhone where Golden Road was, but it was unnecessary--I could have just followed all the cars leaving the parking lot. Golden Road offered a discount on their brews, and donated 15% of the proceeds to Back On My Feet. They also have a delicious brunch menu with good vegetarian and vegan options.

The event also included a raffle. I bought tickets and hoped not to win, since the very cool prizes on offer were not anything I actually need. I stuffed myself silly, enjoyed some hard cider, and did a presto-change-o in the bathroom thanks to planning ahead and the invention of the Shower Pill wipe. (I had a flight out of Burbank that afternoon, but no opportunity for a shower...and manners demand I don't go onto an airplane with a post-race sweaty stink!).

I saw a lot of people with BOMF shirts from this event and other past events, and when I wrote my blog review (which you can read at http://www.trainwithbain.com/foothill-5k-challenge-2015/) several people tweeted that they'd seen shirts or done events supporting their local BOMF chapter.

If you live in LA, or need an excuse to go there--this could be just one morning of a weekend trip--this is a great event, race it or stroll it.