The So Cal Half is a great, smaller race in Irvine. It's on a Saturday, so there's no Expo and a later start time. You pick up just your bib the morning of the race. There's plenty of parking at the local businesses near the start line.

Most of the race takes place on the riverbed, but there are quite a bit of turns in and out of the streets and a few small hills when you go from the riverbed up to the street. I wouldn't say it's a flat race at all. Once you cross the finish, it's a little lackluster, as smaller races are. You get a medal and water, but there doesn't appear to be any swag or goodie bags. I was about to leave the race when I saw a ton of runners with bags. There's an area where there's tons of free goodies on the other side of the finish area. They had protein shakes, granola bars, fruit - definitely a great race finish area once you find it. This is also when you pick up your t shirt!