I really wanted to like this race, but it simply did not live up to the advertising hype. (For less money, there are other nearby races that do!)

A bunch of my friends drove up from San Francisco area to run it, and I was looking forward to a good party with my runner friends. Unfortunately the host hotel was really expensive, even with the race weekend discount; so much so that a large group of my friends actually stayed in Vallejo because the hotel was significantly less expensive. That meant I didn't see them after the race.

The advertising promised "awe-inspiring" views, but a large portion of the course ran alongside the highway. There was almost zero shade on the course. In part because of this, I'm sure, several aid stations ran out of electrolytes (and one had no water) when I got there.

The advertising promised a swag bag "worth over $50." I had to have someone pick mine up for me, as I couldn't attend the expo (hence I didn't rate it). The bag contained the race shirt, a Zooma running hat, a pair of Feetures socks, and some Kind bars. These are all great, practical items, but when you add up the cost, I'm not sure how you get to $50.

Finally, the post-race party was also supposed to be spectacular, but they forgot to mention in the ads that it was really for the fast runners. The rest of us had to hustle to shower (it was hot and sunny during the race, and I had over an hour drive home, so a shower was not optional) and check out of the hotel, which did not offer any late check-out and had quite a line to check out. When I arrived at the party, the only food remaining was a table with a few sandwiches and some chips. The booths were almost completely torn down (and oddly, the one beverage booth hauled out pallets of their product--walking right past a group of slower, just-arrived runners--without offering us any), and the music was over and they were dismantling the stage.

If you're looking for a Zooma event, I'd pick another one. Zooma has a good reputation, so the other races must be different in a good way. If you're looking for a run in Napa, I recommend finding another race. I greatly preferred Napa to Sonoma; you can read more here: http://www.trainwithbain.com/two-runs-through-wine-country/