As an inaugural race, I honestly have no complaints. Well planned, great (re: easy) course and a great community production. There is no race expo, just packet pick up (available race morning or the Sunday prior, this year), though at the finish line festival there are other local Riverside races and community groups. Tech shirts are GREAT and the medals were fantastically adorable.

Aid stations were all supported by high school volunteers who spent their Thanksgiving morning pouring water and cheering us on and were absolutely phenomenal! I was most appreciative of their energy.

The 15K starts in the community and residential areas near Fairmount Park and then dips on to the Santa Ana River Trail for miles 3.5 - 7 or so. A beautiful trail and some nice scenery in the shadows of Mt. Rubidoux.

My only suggestion is that to make slightly different medals for the 5K v 15K finishers - maybe a different color ribbon/turkey or 15K medals bigger. A combo race morning is also an option (the 15K followed by the 5K) with a bonus medal, so there should be a slight difference to those medals also.

All in all, a truly great race. I paced the 15K, so was provided a free entry, but I will go back and pay for this race for years to come.