When we reached the starting area the race workers were still setting up cones. We noticed they were marking a turn around point right at the start. All of the racers were now very curious. We had all heard they were adding mileage at the top of the mountain but didn’t know where. Soon the race director Sean was telling us the last bus was on its way up and we would be starting soon. The start ended up being around 10 minutes late.

When the last bus arrived, they explained the course change. We were to head down the mountain for 1.6 miles, turn around, head back to the start and then turn to go back down. This was an interesting add to the race!
Miles 1-3: elevation: (gained 221) (lost 298)

The first mile was a slight uphill and then mostly down hill until the turnaround at 1.6, then we headed right back up until returning to the start to head back down. By the time I hit mile 2 I had already witnessed several people walking. The mountain air along with the steep incline was proving difficult for a lot of runners. I had tried to go out conservatively which helped a lot in these first few miles. I knew I wasn’t burning myself out early the race coordinators even suggest this. I grabbed a water at the first station around mile 3.

Miles 4-6: elevation: (gained 174) (lost 436)

Mile 4 proved to be very difficult. We just came off a pretty intense downhill and then hit a long uphill that curved quit a bit so much so that your ankles were at an angle. We passed an aid station at about 5.5 where I snagged a sports drink. The road down was so beautiful!! Every now and then you would get a glimpse off the mountain into the valley!
Miles 7-9: elevation: (gained 42) (lost 899)

The elevation loss during these miles was intense. I trained on hills but could feel the beating my legs were taking. I was focusing on shorter sides and light feet. We hit the aid station at about mile 8.5!
Miles 10-12: elevation: (gained 0) (lost 866)

At mile 12 there was an aid station so I grabbed water they also had sports drink available.
Mile 13.1: elevation: (gained 9) (lost 56)

This section really flattened out. It was mostly rolling hills but what really hit me was the sun! We had been having a nice breeze and shade while coming down the mountain. Now we were on the streets of Chatsworth with full sun up above us! It made the last mile a little challenging but it was nice to know you didn't have much further to go! The finish was great and you could smell some great BBQ waiting on you when you finished along with the RD shouting out names as each of us crossed the finish line!

This race was so much fun! Everything about it was great. The race start/expo are all very easy to get too and gear check was quick and organized. I never had any issues getting around and they have areas to stay warm and use REAL bathrooms.
The expo was a little smaller than I expected since Runners World was hosting it and I thought that hats and shirts were ok but not great. The shirts are loose in the body but tight in the sleeves and that hat is HUGE (I am 5'3" and about 120) but overall I would go back to this race in a heart beat!
The course was challenging but not so hard you couldn't run well, the aid stations were prepared and they offered electrolytes and water. The course support was crazy good and the whole town made it a weekend worth hanging around for!!

The first day of the year, the day everyone says: I am going to be a better me this year, I am going to eat better, workout more, be kinder, quit this or quit that. I have done this several times in my life and every time I have failed. I have not stayed true to myself but this time, this time I have already checked off a goal.

A local 5k at 10am on 1/1/2015!!!
The temp at home before leaving was only 15* so it was a cold race but fortunately not snowy!
When we arrived it was around 9:15 and took no time at all to collect our bib numbers and goodie bags. We got a long sleeve t-shirt not a tech tee which was still ok considering the low cost of the race (20). The process was quick and easy. They had everything stationed indoors with coffee available and indoor restrooms. Being it was so cold outside this was very nice to have.
At around 9:55 they had the pre race meeting and prayer. The start was very unofficial, just a countdown from 10 by one women and whatever runners joined her!
The course started in town and made a square around a couple city blocks, then headed out into a neighborhood just on the outskirts of town. It was also an out and back course. that had a water station at the turn around point. We then headed back into town before deviating slightly from the first part of the course to bring in the finish. They had a nice chute set up and were handing everyone a participation ribbon. The course was very flat and fast.

They had water, coffee, bananas, donut holes...plenty of goodies! They also make sure that people are done and ready before starting awards. They gave out decent medals to anyone that placed and really made it feel like a family event.
I would recommend this race to anyone wanting to start their year off with a great 5k.

The Huff is a great trail race from beginners to experienced runners it has something for everyone! I took part in a 50k relay where each runner had an 11 mile loop (yes it adds up to more than 50k) that was awesome!
Being a December race you can bet it was cold but not unexpected. The ground had a beautiful frost to it and you could hear the crunch of the runners as we headed down the trails. There are hills, roots, mud, water and a small amount of road that is run on.
The aid stations had flat cola, flat orange soda, sandwiches, cookies, chips and water. The volunteers were awesome and made sure every runner was well taken care of.
Plenty of restrooms along the way and a nice warm tent at the halfway point of the 50k for runners to change, warm up, eat soup, and refuel.
Each runner received a tech shirt, a tech santa hat, tech beanie, a double shot glass and a plastic mug! Plus when you crossed the finish line you received a finishers belt buckle instead of a traditional medal! The race organizers really had it all together for this! Lots of un was had and I will definitely be going back!!!

Pricing/Signup: When you are running an international race you can't really beat the price. It is the same as any normal half/full marathon depending on what time of year you sign up, you can expect to pay around 100 (give or take for time period).
Packet pickup/expo: The expo was great! It was huge and very well organized. When you walked in everyone got a tote, cowbell, some magnets and other flyers to carry anything you sampled or purchased. To pick up your race bib you did have to have your passport or passport card. If you didn't have this you weren't getting your bib. (unless you chose to run the only US version of the race).
Start: The start is very relaxed. They have you corralled based on estimated finish time but you can move around to anywhere without worry. It is very cold and they start right on time. You do have to wait for both the US and Canadian National Anthems with I thought was nice.
Course: The course is great apart from the first couple of miles. It is just a straight shot in the dark until you get to Ambassador bridge and cross over into Canada. At this point you do go through border patrol and they were awesome! Coming back into the US they aren't as fun though..:( They had aid stations every couple of miles with gatorade and water which both worked well and plenty of bathrooms available also.
Post race snacks were awesome. They had a full spread of just about anything, pretzels, bananas, choc milk, water etc. Very organized and very helpful people in the finishers chute. Their medals are very hefty and nice too!!! The ribbon has both the US and Canadian flags on it to make it very unique.
Overall I love this race! I think they do a great job of having everything very organized. The parking race morning is the pits but that isn't something that can be changed too easily.