When I give $55 to a race organizer, I expect certain things for my money. Number one: I expect to run the correct distance. My Garmin showed 5.54 miles (~9K). I know there is a margin of error in GPS watch tracking, but there is NO way it could be up to two-thirds of a mile short. If anything, GPS watches tend to show runners over the official race distance since runners don't run the shortest possible route. Also, this is the link (http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1026737613) to the official route provided by Pasadena Running Company...notice how even they only show it to be 6.01 miles.

It's also the little things that can make a race and make you feel like the race organizers really care about your experience. Is my race's distance shown on the bib, medal, or shirt? No, no, and no, in this case. Is the race shirt something I would wear while running or working out? No again (100% cotton). Looking at the bib, medal, and shirt, it's like my 10K didn't exist. Which actually is true, since it was a 9K.

The "trail" part in the name is a bit of a misnomer as well. At least a third was on paved road.

I'll save the organizers the indignity of a one-star review because packet pickup and race execution were good. But I won't be back to give my money to a race company that can't even measure correctly.