Whoos in El Moro is a trail race with a 25K or 50k option that runs through the El Moro trails of Crystal Cove Park. The course has a ton of elevation, which means lots of climbing and tons of single track. The 25k takes a loop up mountains and down canyons throughout the Crystal Cove Park. The 50k, is the same loop, just out and back. An option of this race runs in spring (May) and fall (October) which are both perfect running seasons in SoCal. Anyone who has run this can tell you the course is challenging, but it is worth it to run right off the Pacific Ocean, with beautiful ridge views and ocean front breezes.

What makes this race so special is the race director, Molly Kassouf. She puts her heart and soul into these events and they are nothing short of wonderful. Molly gets to know all of the runners, either through weekly training runs, emails, and even social media posts. Then she delivers a race day like no other, with amazing aid stations, high level swag, post race party and AG prizes like I have never seen before. The best part though, she is there waiting at the finish line on race day to congratulate every single runner!

Pros:
**Race management that is personalized like nothing I have ever seen. The director takes so much pride in creating a community among the racers at her events, its no wonder people come back every year to run it. Molly seriously takes the time to get to know the runners, and makes sure each person has an amazing experience.
**The swag is killer. Samples from vendors, a beautiful t-shirt and a post race meal (think food truck burgers, yum). There was even a full taco dinner at packet pick up night.
**Aid stations stocked with everything. There was water, Carbpro, candy, food, nuts and first aid supplies at each aid station. Let alone the incredible volunteers that checked in with each runner. (when you reached the aid station you were checked via your bib number)
**The course is challenging, but the balance of high mountains to canyons make it worth it.
**There are weekly training runs, which allow you to get to know the terrain of the area trails pretty well. I went to one of these and wished I lived closer so I could go more often.
**The event is located across the street from the beach, which makes it perfect for a post race dip.

Cons:
**The race takes place at a national park, which means you have to pay for a daily parking pass, unless you have a national park yearly parking pass.
**This race brings out some pretty experienced fast trail runners (as well as runners of all abilities) which makes it tough to get an age group high placement.
**Like most trail races, the 25k didn't have a ton of runners, so there are periods of time you will run by yourself. Thank goodness the course was so well marked.

If you are looking for a spring or fall mid-distance race, I can't recommend this one enough. Overall this will go down as one of my all time favorite races. It was the perfect way to begin my trail racing journey and gave me the motivation to keep coming back for more.

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