I have wanted to run the Giant Race San Francisco for the last eight years ever since I first passed the park running my first marathon. Registration was really simple and easy to sign up for online. I do feel like they sent fewer anticipation emails than I was originally expecting, but it was much better than those races that tend to over spam you.

Race swag: a super soft, super cute t-shirt, an awesome bobble head and of course an amazing medal.

One of the reasons that I have wanted to run this way so long is that you get to actually finish on the baseball field. The stadium is also open so your spectators can sit in the stands and wait for you to finish. Also during race weekend, they have a variety of events like yoga and kids races.
Getting to wander around the park without it being so crowded was really awesome. Getting to go down onto the field was even better.

Packet pick up was fairly simple, we started at one point in the causeway and continued on down- shirts and bobble heads were towards the end and your bib was at the beginning. I also had to check out the solutions table as my training had not been up to par due to an illness in July so I dropped from the half marathon to the 10k and it took 30 seconds if that.

Race morning dawned clear and bright and the start line was on the outside of the Giant stadium along the Willie Mays entrance. The corral was set up with three different corals 1, 2 and 3, they were self seated based upon speed. The 10K and the half marathon started together. The 5K started at 10:50 AM. The course was an easy out and back along the Embarcadero. Elevation was nonexistent as the course is probably the flattest 10k that I have ever run. The 10K course had two water stations, but you passed each one twice so that's essentially four. The views were great as you got to run along the bay and it was a clear day so you could see all the way to Alcatraz.

However, the best part about this race was the finish line. Rounding the corner of the stadium and running down to the field and having the finish line there was amazing. I discovered a kick I haven't felt in years, and I truly believe the finish line aided to that.

Once across the finish line, you were handed your medal and had some time to chill out on the field. When it was time to move on, you headed back through the causeway where you got all your goodies, snacks, water, drinks, and even a bag to put it all in. That's one of my biggest pet peeves is when they give you lots of snacks but no way to carry it

The medal was an awesome -full size, heavy with great colors. Honestly, everything about this race was great and I am looking forward to running it again.

Unfortunately I was unable to make it to Scottsdale to run in person this year. However I was still able to participate and run the 10K virtually in my home town.
I was able to map out my own course which I tried to have end at a ball field but I failed as the field is no longer there, oops. I loved that the incentive of running a virtual race meant I pushed a little harder for that 10k than I would have on my own.
The race swag that was sent was nice. A nice tech shirt with a design on the front and the number 24 on the back like a baseball jersey. The medal was nice medal, good design with some heft to it. And the bib as well, I appreciate when a virtual race doesn't skimp on mailing the bibs out. I like to track my finish times on the back.

Hopefully next year, I can make it to Scottsdale in person.

I love the Monterey Bay Half. The scenery alone makes this course worth running. It is very well organized and the perfect size- around 9000 people.
The race course runs through Monterey and Pacific Grove and the ocean views are just amazing. It was a bright, sunny day and the ocean looked amazing. The aid stations were amazing- tons of water, electrolyte, Vaseline and Gu's. All the stations were all well staffed as well. Music artists were spaced out along the course as well- better than my headphones. Mile 3 took runners through a tunnel that was turned into a mini rave, complete with dancing dinosaurs . It was awesome.
The race started on time but I was in Corral J and it was about 15 minutes before we crossed the start line. The finish line has all the treats organized and given to you in a box by helpful volunteers.
The course had minimal inclines and was runner/ walker friendly. Crowd support was pretty impressive as well. This year's medal was a ceramic medallion with what looks like a humpback whale otter and is awesome.
The expo was medium sized and had a good array of vendors. The shirt was a nice long sleeve tech shirt. If you’re looking for great race swag to buy, Monterey Bay Half has some of the best.
This is a race I would gladly run again.

Registration-
Available online until the day before the race and available at the expo.
Communication-
Once I registered, I received 1-2 emails a month detailing race information. Race week was another story, I got an email every day with updates.
Expo-
The expo was located in Snow Park and was a good size. I scored some swag from previous year’s races for a good deal.
Races-
The race offered a full marathon, half marathon, and 5k. There was also a We Run This Town challenge with an extra medal for running the half and 5k on the same day.
Race morning-
The half had a late start of 9:00AM. I was able to walk to the race start from my hotel.
The race started on time with self seeded corrals. The start led us down past Lake Merritt and then into the streets of downtown Oakland. I love the street art and murals that Oakland has to offer. The race takes runners out to the Jack London area before coming back downtown. There was a long out and back along Broadway that may have broken my brain a little, haha.
Post race-
Once across the finish line, runners were handed a variety of snacks as they made their way through the chute. In theory. I was a slower runner so there weren't a lot of food options left. I did get a cool little bag to carry everything in. My brother had finished the full a couple hours before and said there were more food choices.
Aid stations-
There were aid stations with water and Gatorade every few miles. They were always well staffed and organized. And they were great at cheering for the runners too.
Elevation-
In my opinion, this is a flat race. However Broadway was very noticeable as a long, slow hill.
Swag-
Every runner received a race specific long sleeve shirt, and an awesome medal that looked like one of the murals that Oakland offers.
Overall, I really do love this race. I do wish it had an earlier start time- 9:00 is just so late and I love sleeping in but still wish it was earlier.