The Ventura Marathon offered a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Century Bike Ride, 5K and a Kids Run. The swag went right along with the race’s theme. They gave all the runners a reusable shopping bag, the bib was one of my favorites, and the medals were awesome!

The race expo was outdoors and fairly large. They had plenty of food vendors, other race vendors, along with clothing merchants

I didn't have to leave that early for the start line, as I stayed in a hotel nearby. I just had to cross over a foot bridge that took me right to the start line. The course runs from the Ventura Pier towards the Oxnard Harbor and back. It began to get hot at 7:30 am, and by 8 am it was about 80 degrees. Up until about mile 6 or 7 my Garmin was on point with the mile markers. Then out of no where they were off. I thought that maybe I had lost connection with the satellites for a while. Then as I neared the next aid station I asked a few people and their GPS's were off also. Apparently, the mile markers were off over a half a mile. (They accidently used someone else's marks at the turn around)
I ended up walking the rest of the race, but was so proud of myself for finishing it even though mentally I was over it. ( I considered quitting at mile 10. The heat and knowing the course would be long was really getting to me) Overall, I thought the race was well organized and the swag was great. However, I am disappointed that the race was over a half a mile too long.