This was my second year participating in the BSHM on Monterey Bay. If your looking for a nice race-cation destination this would be a great one! Beautiful scenery, fair weather and well organized.

The course starts in Monterey and travels through to Pacific Grove (also known as America's Last True Hometown and Butterfly Town USA) you will run through part of the quaint downtown of Pacific Grove before you are redirected back down to the coast. Keep an eye out for seals, otters and possibly even an occasional whale can be seen on this run. After the turn around you will head back past the ocean toward Monterey. Eventually passing the famous Monterey Aquarium and historic Cannery Row.

Finish line entertainment, great food and more await you at the finish. Transportation (for those who wish to avoid parking issues) is great and busses can be caught from a few different options. Busses are well run and organized as is the whole race.

What else was I to do on Mothers Day 2016? A double road race!

This was a 5k followed by a 10k with a brief "break" in between. The challenge is to complete both races without burning out. The amount of time between the two races depends on how fast you finish your first race (the 5k) Faster runners will end up with a longer break than slower runners. The key is to not go out so fast on the 5k that you still have enough in the tank to complete the 10k at a good pace.

A bit harder than it sounds IMO. But it was still an great challenge. The scenery in May in Pacific Grove is A+ If you catch the timing right you will not only be treated to the majestic scenery of Monterey Bay but also the famous "purple carpet" an explosion of carpets unique to this town at this time of year.

The course is an out and back and mostly flat with some very slight incline. You will run the entire race on the coast of the Monterey Bay. Lovers Point is both the start and end point of the race. We were treated with some passing whales just off the coast at the end of the race. Be on the look out for seals, otters and whales on your trip out and back during the race.

The actual race was quite laid back as far as organization etc. It is timed. The shirt left something to be desired for sure. But it was still a tech shirt so at least it is useful. This is the main reason I gave it an overall 4 stars. Pacific Grove for its beauty and charm is 5 stars for sure.

** Note in 2017 the race has been changed and will not be held in may but in last September. Therefore the purple carpet will be gone However you cannot beat the scenery of Monterey Bay.

Fun race. I did not visit the expo (its a bit of a drive) but had my bib mailed to me. I had to get a t-shirt after the race because they did not mail t-shirts only bibs, luckily I was still able to get my size after the race.

The course is nice with some great views of some primo surfing spots. But be aware that the course is not all coastline and you will not always see the beach. Unfortunately the waves were pretty dead that year. Although there were lots of surfers in the water they were mostly just sitting waiting on the next big wave. The weather was very chilly at the start but warmed up fairly nicely durning the race. The finish line really can't be seen and finishes in the sand on the beach, which was kind of neat but unexpected for someone who had never run it before. You actually passed by the start line when heading back and made me (and others) kind of wonder where the finish actually was. Otherwise it was a nice race.

I would have done it again in 2017 but won't be able to make it happen.

Parking is decent right at the Santa Cruz boardwalk parking lot, close to the start. Just be there early enough to get parking. There is also street parking available. The end party was so-so.

I have actually run this race 3 years (2013-2015) The weather can be unpredictable. Sometimes its cold, like really cold and other years its been great. I didn't run it in 2017 but saw that they had a mixture of just about everything including sleet and snow. Be prepared for anything and note that wind can be a factor.

The course is almost entirely flat as is most of Virginia Beach itself. The biggest "hill" is a ramp you run over on the course, no biggie. The finish line is on the boardwalk of Virginia Beach. Lots of restaurants and things to do before and after the race if your making it a race-cation!

J&A puts on great races in VA. They are well organized and I would highly reccomend any of their races. Swag is always great and medals are nice. Expo is on the bigger side also.