Lovely downtown San Luis Obispo was a terrific location for this fun, fast, well-organized race benefitting an array of local cancer treatment programs, charities, and scholarship funds. This was my first experience at this race but certainly won't be my last! The start/finish of the course was at the old San Luis Mission complex, a beautiful place that is centrally located and extremely close to at least two large parking structures, one of which is roughly an easy block's walk to the starting line. Parking at the garage was free until 11am, which provided competitors and their families with plenty of time to park, grab a cup of coffee (a local shop was on hand with a mobile cafe!), and peruse the dozen or so booths lining the area outside the mission. Nearly all provided information and resources for the local services available to cancer patients, survivors, and their families, (including some wonderful support groups and services) and for others to get more information on how to donate or volunteer (Team In Training had a booth, as did many of the charities the race was benefitting.) The main plaza was clearly marked and it was easy to find the registration table (the race did provide packet pick-up the day before, but as I am from out of town, I got my bib the day of), where I also had the opportunity to don an extra bib for "In honor of/In memory of" dedications. There was a small amphitheater area where participants could hang pictures and notes for those they were running for, or just to show support, which was a lovely touch.

The energy of the volunteers was infectious and made the course a joy to run. The route is on the main downtown streets of San Luis Obispo and was incredibly well-laid out and clearly marked. Volunteers were posted at every turn and stretch to provide guidance and encouragement. If you had a non-running cheering section, they could be at any point on the course as it was open to spectators. Mile 2 was nearly entirely uphill, but the grade was gentle enough that it was a welcome challenge for a beginner or novice, and a nice pace change for a faster, more experienced runner. The final mile was, as they say, all downhill from there, which made for a fast, easy, empowering finish.

There was one aid station along the route that was accessible from both directions. It fell about half a mile before the turnaround point (though it was was not a straight out-and-back course) and offered both water and sports drink - get something on the way uphill, then on the way back downhill! There was also a first aid station at the start/finish manned by medical professionals from the local hospital, which was large, clean, and well-stocked.

The race was chip timed and by the time the first finishers had crossed, the area that was formerly the registration tables has laptops so runners could immediately check their times. There was someone doing photography at the finish line, though I have as of yet been unable to find a link to those photos.

Participants received a very nice, well-made tech t-shirt and were emailed a link to a virtual goody bag roughly a week before race day. Aside from that there was no other swag or bling, but let's be honest - if you're running a race like this, you're not running it for the medal. Nearly everyone there was running in honor or in memory of someone. That's prize enough.

I had a blast at this race. Well-organized, safe, and fast, it was my favorite local 5K to date. It's affiliated with the same organization that runs the San Luis Marathon + Half (another impeccably well-run race weekend) so it's no surprise it was so well-done. I look forward to participating next year!