Monterey Bay Half Marathon

Monterey Bay Half Marathon

Monterey Bay Half Marathon

( 9 reviews )
100% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Monterey,
    California,
    United States
  • November
  • 3 miles/5K, 13.1 miles/Half Marathon
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Brenda Morris

Massachusetts, United States
59 56
2017
"Monterey Bay Half Marathon & OceanView Challenge ( 5k Sat. & 1/2 Marathon Sun. ) "
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Brenda Morris's thoughts:

I was really excited to return to beautiful Monterey, Ca again. I visited in 2014 when I ran Boston 2 Big Sur. Packet Pickup and Expo was at the same location, in Old Downtown Monterey. I arrived Wed. evening, so I could play in the area, since there's so much to see and do. Thursday I walked about 15 miles, I visited the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, which was hard to get good pictures on my iPhone, but the clusters of Monarchs were amazing. I met up with a friend and had some wonderful Mexican food for lunch, the food is all so fresh and yummy in Ca. I then went off in the other direction to walk along the Fishermans Pier, and in the evening went to a talk with Peace Corps Members.
Friday morning I went for a nice easy jog and walk before heading to the Expo at 11:30 where I volunteered for a few hours. I picked up my packet and shirts for the OceanView Challenge, a new challenge where you run the 5k Saturday and Half Marathon Sunday. There was plenty of helpful volunteers, poster size maps, race program, and information table for all your questions.
New this year the race added, Friday night Happy Hour 4-5:30pm It was a very nice program with wine tastings, and 5 tables to visit with new running technology and apps to try and talk to the reps.
Sat. Pacific Lighthouse 5k started at Lovers Point 8:00am, a beautiful coastal route, out and back. Post run there was plenty of supporters, volunteers, music, porto johns, and goodies... Dole fruit cups and Pineapple juice, which was a treat. Also, bottle water, energy bars, and fruit. They also had a local organization preparing a 5.00 Pancake breakfast. It looked good, but after running I usually wait to eat until after my shower. We walked about 1.5 miles back to the hotel to shower and get more sightseeing in.
We went on the 17 mile scenic ride, visited Clint Eastwoods Ranch, walked around Big Sur and took photos at the Bixby Bridge :)
Sunday's Half Marathon started at 6:50 am for Elites, then every 5 minutes a corral would start. There was plenty of porto johns and space, so even with 7,000 runners you didn't feel confined or crowded in. The announcers were so enthusiastic and motivating, the female announcer was around during the expo and Sat. race, really got you pumped up and excited.

Start line; Old Town Monterey, right there by the Pier and beach. Such a gorgeous location! We started out on some local neighborhoods and there was a few people playing the keyboard and other musical instruments. We ran towards Pacific Grove and ran under the bridge on Lighthouse Ave, it was so cool because it was dark with multiple colored strobe lights and loud music playing, near the end was a T-Rex dancing, so I stepped up on the side walk and danced a little with him, I mean how often do you get to start the race running with a shark, and dancing with T- Rex a mile or so later :) Running along Cannery Row and the Aquarium was fun, also music playing and people out in costumes.
I love living in a hilly area, as I didn't see any hills, but some people talked about the bumps in the road. I took lots of photos, danced, videos, singing and still managed to get one of my best half marathon paces of the year, due to such a flat fast course. Running on Oceanside Blvd and Asilomar State Beach was so beautiful and serene. So many neighbors and spectators out with lots of enthusiasm. I'm usually not a fan of out and backs, or repeat courses, but I could run back and forth on this one all day long, so beautiful to see sailboats, surfers, scuba divers, walkers, and ocean views. I also really loved seeing the Elite runners on their way back to the finish, it always gives me the goosebumps, and gives me inspiration. I did slow down to video them passing me. I just felt like I was in heaven!

The last 3 miles or so was on the bike path, it was awesome to see people just out on their routine walk/jog cheer you on the end. I always get pumped up the last few miles, this was a beautiful easy finish. The finish line announcers again very motivating and enthusiastic, the volunteers gave us our medals! MY FAVORITE MEDAL now, pink sea otter :) The medals are actually made by a local artist, and so darn cute. The Males received Yellow tech shirts and yellow medals, Females pink shirt and pink medals, which I love. The Shirt is a beautiful Asics long sleeve tech pink shirt with a nice Monterey Bay HM logo on the front and back. Monterey Bay Half Marathon changed their logo and name to separate from Big Sur, since they are a non-profit race and give back to the Monterey Bay Community.

Post Celebration: Once you received your medal, there was heat sheets and water bottles. Then your post photo ops with the signs, off to the food tent where you picked up a box with more yummy Dole fruit cups, Pineapple juice, Choc. milk, Chips, banana and bar.
They had hot soup which was a tomato spinach blend, I had 2 cups :)
Live music which was upbeat ( more dancing)
Treadmill Running store had a tent with free massaged, rollers and Normatec Boots..
Yes, I waited in line for the compression boots, since I tried previously after a long run and loved it. They also had a beer tent, with free beer, but I opted to wait until lunch/dinner to have alcohol.

MY NEW FAVORITE HALF MARATHON :)

Everything about the race organization and the course before, during and after was amazing!

Everyone needs to put this beautiful race on the list! Also, so much to do there.
I didn't have time to fit it all in. I met a few new friends and was invited to scuba dive, kayak, and go on a boat ride... I'll be back for sure, and will fit in those activities I missed.
Oh, the Aquarium is top notch, but I already visited on my first trip in 2014.

I could just go on and on with all the wonderful things Monterey has to offer :)

Follow them on Social Media and make a plan to bring the family or go with friends.

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