I was excited to run this race, since I just love the Newport area. I also love the fact it's on a Saturday during a long weekend. We lucked out this year, as it was the best day of the Season so far, and went down hill the next day. I'm in winter gear today!

EXPO: I went to packet pickup on Thursday, since I also wanted to get my first bike ride in at the East Bay Bike Path. I arrived at 4pm when it started, and was in and out in minutes. They had 3 tables with at least 8 volunteers, so it went smoothly.

Saturday I drove down from MA, about an hour and a half drive. I parked in the Full Marathon lot and lucked out with being the last one on the Shuttle before heading to the start. I met up with friends and met another BIbRavePro at the start. My 7 friends all ran the half, so I was the only one in for the full marathon. I guess I wanted more guilt free pizza and beer :)

The Newport Races all start at Easton Beach, the marathon at 7:30am. The first half of the marathon was along the coast, wide open ocean vistas, historic mansions and beautiful views. The only thing I didn't care for was running into the finish line, to have it split for the Full marathon to continue, as I was alone at this point. It was hard going by everyone finishing and drinking beer and enjoying Pizza. I would have preferred to stay on the road and run past this circling of the finish line/post party. After Passing Easton's Beach, we headed up to Middletown and Surfers's End, which was awesome to see so many surfers out enjoying the beautiful day! First of the season. The aid stations were amazing and well stocked with water, gatorade, Multiple flavors of GU and Blocks. There were plenty of porta johns at the start and on course.

Post Party: The multiple choices of Pizza were awesome! I had 2 slices, Veggie and Broccoli. I then headed over to the Beer tent, where you also had a selection to choose from. I love the beautiful finishers medal.

I ran 3 other locations last year, and have to say the Race Management is fabulous!

Where do I start? I've been lucky to run over 100 road marathons, and Big Sur is the most beautiful and magical! I participated in the Boston to Big Sur in 2014, 2 marathons 6 days apart. I had a tough time after Boston 2013, as I was headed to the finish line on Boylston St. when the bombs went off, so 2014 was still emotional and sad for me. Big Sur was therapeutic and made me enjoy finish lines again, so I had to return and enjoy the mesmerizing location.
I made my own challenge, 3 marathons in 2 weeks, as I don't participate at Boston anymore. I ran 2 marathons before heading to Ca. I wanted Big Sur to be the final prize, and it didn't disappoint.

I arrived at Midnight Friday ( 3am EST), but I was so excited and couldn't sleep. I went to the 7am shake-out run with the Treadmill running store, and the Champ Adam Roach. It was so much fun, I just wanted to keep running.
I then volunteered working at the Expo for 4 hours, meeting wonderful people.

Sunday we got up at 3am, to get the 4:00am bus to the start. The energy was amazing and energetic! The weather was perfect! So much support out on the course, and the most beautiful views in the U.S.! Amazing volunteers at the aid stations, drumming, Bixby Bridge and the piano player. I didn't want to get off the course. I mean, what hills? You don't even realize it, since your so distracted by the views and happy energy everywhere.

Finish line/Post Party: So much fun! Goodie bag as you cross, then hot soup, beer, massages, and more.

EVERYONE who runs need to participate in this epic event! There's a distance for everyone. Oh, I wish I could attend every year. So magical

I highly recommend this race to all! Bring the family and friends. So much to do in the area.

I had so much fun last year, I returned hoping for just warmer temps. Score! It was a bit warmer, as I wasn't frozen at the start. The 7am start was cold, but once we got moving it was nice. I kept my jacket on until mile 20.

My family and I arrived at the expo on Thursday at noontime when it opened, which is a nice time to go if you are available. The expo sold everything you could need, I didn't purchase anything as I over packed as it was, so it wouldn't give me an excuse to purchase. We had our lunch there (for free), as they were giving away Greek yogurt and Sabra hummus was there with the hummus/pretzel packs. At this time, no lines for bibs, shirts, and vendors.

Saturday morning my Dad dropped me off at the Start, since it was too early for Metro and cold. It worked out perfect, as again no lines for bad drop off, porta john, and easy access to the start.

Beautiful flat course, with a few inclines, as I live in a hilly area, it seemed flat to me. Lots of great bands, support, and views along the course.

Finish line: Pizza, popcorn, chips, choc. milk, water, gatorade, and more hummus/pretzels. More vendors, live band, beer tent and more. I actually stayed this year, as the weather was better and was able to meet up with Vanessa from Bibrave.

I highly recommend this fun and beautiful course! I'm sure it will become an annual event now, as I love the location ( with so much to do) and great winter training run.

The Jingle All The Way is a flat and fast course, but I was chatting and not really racing today, as its also very festive. There's 2 distances to choose from, 5k and 15k. I participated in the 15k race which started at 8:30am, the 5k started at 8:00am. Both races started and finished at the Washington Monument.

I've run several races with the Pacers Running Club, and always enjoy the course and great organization. My family and I went to Pacers Running Store in Alexandria, Va on Friday and picked up my bib and awesome Boco Gear winter pom pom hat. No Shirt this year, but I loved how they gave you 3 options this year, winter hat, donate $10 to charity or $10 pacers bucks to spend in the store.

Race Day: I arrived an hour before the race, and had no problem finding a metered parking spot. I paid for the full 3 hour limit ( $6.45) At the start there was plenty of Port o johns, I had a no wait line. The announcer was high energy and playing upbeat music. It was fun to see so many costumes and festive hats/sweaters.

The course was very pretty with the snow on the ground. The aid stations had water and gatorade. As you crossed the finish line they had granola bars, water, bananas, donuts, hot coffee. Your bib has a coupon for a free burger from Shake Shack to use for up to a week.

Race Management is very good with social media and emails keeping you updated on all needed information.
I think this will be an annual event now! I recommend this holiday run.

I was really excited to return to beautiful Monterey, Ca again. I visited in 2014 when I ran Boston 2 Big Sur. Packet Pickup and Expo was at the same location, in Old Downtown Monterey. I arrived Wed. evening, so I could play in the area, since there's so much to see and do. Thursday I walked about 15 miles, I visited the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, which was hard to get good pictures on my iPhone, but the clusters of Monarchs were amazing. I met up with a friend and had some wonderful Mexican food for lunch, the food is all so fresh and yummy in Ca. I then went off in the other direction to walk along the Fishermans Pier, and in the evening went to a talk with Peace Corps Members.
Friday morning I went for a nice easy jog and walk before heading to the Expo at 11:30 where I volunteered for a few hours. I picked up my packet and shirts for the OceanView Challenge, a new challenge where you run the 5k Saturday and Half Marathon Sunday. There was plenty of helpful volunteers, poster size maps, race program, and information table for all your questions.
New this year the race added, Friday night Happy Hour 4-5:30pm It was a very nice program with wine tastings, and 5 tables to visit with new running technology and apps to try and talk to the reps.
Sat. Pacific Lighthouse 5k started at Lovers Point 8:00am, a beautiful coastal route, out and back. Post run there was plenty of supporters, volunteers, music, porto johns, and goodies... Dole fruit cups and Pineapple juice, which was a treat. Also, bottle water, energy bars, and fruit. They also had a local organization preparing a 5.00 Pancake breakfast. It looked good, but after running I usually wait to eat until after my shower. We walked about 1.5 miles back to the hotel to shower and get more sightseeing in.
We went on the 17 mile scenic ride, visited Clint Eastwoods Ranch, walked around Big Sur and took photos at the Bixby Bridge :)
Sunday's Half Marathon started at 6:50 am for Elites, then every 5 minutes a corral would start. There was plenty of porto johns and space, so even with 7,000 runners you didn't feel confined or crowded in. The announcers were so enthusiastic and motivating, the female announcer was around during the expo and Sat. race, really got you pumped up and excited.

Start line; Old Town Monterey, right there by the Pier and beach. Such a gorgeous location! We started out on some local neighborhoods and there was a few people playing the keyboard and other musical instruments. We ran towards Pacific Grove and ran under the bridge on Lighthouse Ave, it was so cool because it was dark with multiple colored strobe lights and loud music playing, near the end was a T-Rex dancing, so I stepped up on the side walk and danced a little with him, I mean how often do you get to start the race running with a shark, and dancing with T- Rex a mile or so later :) Running along Cannery Row and the Aquarium was fun, also music playing and people out in costumes.
I love living in a hilly area, as I didn't see any hills, but some people talked about the bumps in the road. I took lots of photos, danced, videos, singing and still managed to get one of my best half marathon paces of the year, due to such a flat fast course. Running on Oceanside Blvd and Asilomar State Beach was so beautiful and serene. So many neighbors and spectators out with lots of enthusiasm. I'm usually not a fan of out and backs, or repeat courses, but I could run back and forth on this one all day long, so beautiful to see sailboats, surfers, scuba divers, walkers, and ocean views. I also really loved seeing the Elite runners on their way back to the finish, it always gives me the goosebumps, and gives me inspiration. I did slow down to video them passing me. I just felt like I was in heaven!

The last 3 miles or so was on the bike path, it was awesome to see people just out on their routine walk/jog cheer you on the end. I always get pumped up the last few miles, this was a beautiful easy finish. The finish line announcers again very motivating and enthusiastic, the volunteers gave us our medals! MY FAVORITE MEDAL now, pink sea otter :) The medals are actually made by a local artist, and so darn cute. The Males received Yellow tech shirts and yellow medals, Females pink shirt and pink medals, which I love. The Shirt is a beautiful Asics long sleeve tech pink shirt with a nice Monterey Bay HM logo on the front and back. Monterey Bay Half Marathon changed their logo and name to separate from Big Sur, since they are a non-profit race and give back to the Monterey Bay Community.

Post Celebration: Once you received your medal, there was heat sheets and water bottles. Then your post photo ops with the signs, off to the food tent where you picked up a box with more yummy Dole fruit cups, Pineapple juice, Choc. milk, Chips, banana and bar.
They had hot soup which was a tomato spinach blend, I had 2 cups :)
Live music which was upbeat ( more dancing)
Treadmill Running store had a tent with free massaged, rollers and Normatec Boots..
Yes, I waited in line for the compression boots, since I tried previously after a long run and loved it. They also had a beer tent, with free beer, but I opted to wait until lunch/dinner to have alcohol.

MY NEW FAVORITE HALF MARATHON :)

Everything about the race organization and the course before, during and after was amazing!

Everyone needs to put this beautiful race on the list! Also, so much to do there.
I didn't have time to fit it all in. I met a few new friends and was invited to scuba dive, kayak, and go on a boat ride... I'll be back for sure, and will fit in those activities I missed.
Oh, the Aquarium is top notch, but I already visited on my first trip in 2014.

I could just go on and on with all the wonderful things Monterey has to offer :)

Follow them on Social Media and make a plan to bring the family or go with friends.