Expo: Easy! At the Long Beach Convention Center. Plenty of vendors and race swag. But also organized if you need to get in and out fast.

Parking: WAY easy! You can prepay your parking at the Expo to park at The Pike. Or you can park in the convention center lot for $10. I always like to park there because it's closer to the finish line.

VIP: GREAT food (and drinks) in the VIP tent. Cool swag and a great spot to sit in the shade while cheering on everyone else finishing the race.

Course: This is my 3rd year running the Long Beach full and I think this is the year I have enjoyed it the most. While it was warm it wasn't as bad as the last two years. We started at the back of the pack which left a nice open road for us. Plenty of aid stations and great community support. I love the fruit, water, ice and otter pops from people along the course, it's great to see Long Beach locals come out and support. After you leave Cal State Long Beach you start to feel the breeze again. It helps that you run back to the water for the finish. Oh! And don't forget to grab a donut hole and mile 10! The views are great and there are plenty of restrooms along the course!