Into the Wild OC trail runs hosts a bunch of difference distance races throughout the year. This one was in the Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park - closed to public because it's a nature preserve but open to organized events.

The swag - some sponsor gear and an awesome tech long sleeve tech T that I've worn a bunch! I always forget what I win vs. what's in the bag. I got a trucker hat as a prize also, it's perfect and I wear it running all the time.

The course - not easy. Sometimes technical, some singletrack, sometimes fire roads. HILLY! First mile was mostly flat which lead way to awesome climbs for the next six miles. Some big elevation gains, a few downs before heading back up. The last bit was part down (which some really fast portions) and flat. It wasn't hot but there were definitely some areas with a lot of exposure, which slowed things down a little. The scenery was pretty gorgeous (save that one bit where you are so high you see trucks working on something). Most of the time, it's just you, alone, in a beautiful nature-filled dream right in the midst of Irvine area.

Aid stations - I didn't use them much, just a little water fill-up. But they were stocked for those who needed them.

The event itself was really well organized. Post race celebrations were SUPER awesome for the fact that it was a small race. They had some vendors there which was pretty cool! I got a massage after and tried a protein powder. There was a cash purse for winners of both the 20k and the 12k. Tons of food and snacks for afterwards. A nice group of local runners, too. The community was full of great people. I didn't think it was TOO fast a field on the women's side at least.

I'd absolutely participate in this race or any of the Into the Wild OC races again. I recommend highly!

Whoos in El Moro is a small, local trail run in Crystal Cove, Newport.
May: hit or miss with weather. The week before the race was gorgeous, the morning of the race was 50 and rainy. It made for an exceptionally muddy start, which was messy/tough/hilarious being that the first couple miles were uphill. Some parts of the course stayed muddy but others dried out.

The course itself got a tad bit confusing because you do some loops. But there are people telling you which way to go, so it wasn't too bad. As per usual with trail races, there were times I wasn't sure I was on the right path because I was all alone for a while. This isn't an easy course, lots of hills. Course markers were a little spread out but I never had to stop and look around. There was really only one way to go most of the time. It had a nice mix of fireroads and singletrack. Lots of hills. Scenery itself was GORGEOUS. The park was very peaceful in the morning, just us. It's an open course though so by the end, there were hikers out.

Camaraderie within the race was HIGH. Such a great group of people running! Everyone was friendly and we all talked. Made a lot of new friends that day.

Aid stations were well stocked and had the usual suspects plus watermelon and pineapple chunks, which were incredible.

The finish line and festivities were exactlyright. The MEDALS were handcarved wood pieces that are absolutely beautiful. It was a really nice, calm, but happy-mooded gathering. There were snacks, a food truck (runners got tickets), a place to buy extra race swag (I got a trucker hat - I'd gotten a shirt in my race bag). None of those extras (massage, etc.). I've never talked with SO MANY people after the race. Great community.

Other notes: you have to pay to park there, I can't remember what it was, maybe $10/20 but have cash!

I recommend this race so hard! They run it twice a year - Spring and Autumn.

The Palm Beach Marathon is a nice community race in a lovely area of West Palm Beach, Florida. It's held in December to avoid some of the heat but, don't forget, it's South Florida, and it'll be humid and once the sun comes up, it'll be hot.

The swag - I wear the bright yellow EAU Palm Beach Marathon shirt all the time. It's a nice tech-T

The course - not difficult. It's mostly flat. The year I ran it, the half marathon and marathon started together which made it incredibly difficult to pace. I went out a bit fast because the half marathoners did. This may have changed, check with the marathon site. The scenery was okay - through some neighborhoods and then Downtown West Palm Beach where all the crowds were, through more neighborhood, then on the coast. I do wish we got to go into Palm Beach Proper! But being along the water at all was great.

The people - there were around 350 runners for the marathon. Not big and not too competitive. It's nice if you're trying to beat other people. The atmosphere in the marathon was fine, though I didn't talk with many other runners after I split off from the half because it thinned out a bit.

Aid stations - Water and electrolyte drinks. There were a few porta potties along the course too, which I don't usually notice.

Medal in pic - it's a heavy one! Post race celebrations were very nice, it felt like a community experience. They had some vendors there and some snacks and little swag for those hanging out at the finish. The area of the finish is great though because there are SO MANY restaurants around it you can go off and eat anything.

The event itself was very nicely well organized. I'm glad I ran the race and might again one day but the humidity and heat got to me a little bit because I just wasn't well trained in those conditions.

There's a reason Big Sur International Marathon is one of the most beloved races in the country. Running along the cliffs getting a view of the Pacific Ocean is absolutely stunning. BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL. It takes your breath away.

This is how the morning goes:
Wake up at 3am, drive to a bus. Take an hour-ish long bus ride at 4am to the start area. Hang out in the start area for another hour. Try not to freeze your face off (BRING EXTRA GEAR TO STAY WARM IN!!!!!). Happy, uplifting start.

Course: Challenging first half
The first 5 miles or so before you get to the water are VERY WINDY but net downhill. Gusts knocked me over. I drafted off other runners for a little bit, mostly because they blocked wind from my face. The main, MOST DIFFICULT HILL is at mile 10. A lot of people drop off at this point. It's still a little windy here but once you get through this, it's mostly cruisy. Bixby Bridge is MAGICAL. There's a grand piano player on the other side. I will never forget this moment. The rest of the course isn't too hard, a hill here or there, some flatish.

Experience/Atmosphere: Top rate
I had a merry time chatting with the guys I drafted off. I talked with the 3:30 pace group for a while after mid-point before I took off. We joked around a lot, had a merry ole time together. I saw some at the end and we hugged and congratulated each other. BSIM is small enough to do this, which makes it more special to me.

Finish area:
The MEDAL is really awesome and super pretty (see pic). All the perks, none of the stress. Massage tent, snacks, vendors. There were a lot of people around but because it isn't TOO big of a race, there was space to walk. There are a lot of shops in the area that you can go to once you leave the finish also, which was nice. Parking for spectators down that way isn't exactly easy, it isn't a big area, but they should be able to find something - you just have to walk a little bit.

This race is a no-brainer. If you have a chance, do it. Don't even think twice.