Summary: 

I will always be partial to my first year running in Oakland, but the 2nd time around was an amazing follow up! While there were some new things, alot of it was very familiar. It was like visiting an old friend who got a new haircut. :) 

Packet Pick Up:

Oaktown Half offers multiple options for packet pick up! You can have it mailed (in which you receive a Runner's Box with all kinds of goodies), pick it up on race day morning or choose from any of the 4 days to pick up your packet on location.

Course Route/Elevation:

Course changes this year! I'm not really good with directions (lol), but I'm pretty sure we went in the opposite direction we did last year with a few additional twists & turns. Of course, the main attraction of this route is Lake Merritt & it remained the focal point this year. For the 5K, it was the same as the last 3 miles of the Half. While I love a challenge series, I did not enjoy running the 5K immediately after the Half - I liked it better when it was 2 separate days. It also gave me a reason to stay in Oakland longer. ;) But thank goodness for Aid Stations stocked with Honey Stinger & Nuun - I don't think I would have made it without that nutrition boost!

Although I must say, my favorite part of the course is the finish line where the announcer says your name as you cross. He tried to be unique with everyone who came across the finish line to make that moment memorable. Who knew something so small could be such a big difference maker?

Swag/Extras:

Just like last year, this years shirt was by local t-shirt shop Oaklandish. This being my 2nd Oaklandish shirt - they are so comfy & lightweight! At the packet pick up parties, there is live music, extra discounts, snacks & more! After the race -- grab some food, take cute photos, play some games or just dance to the music! FREE Race Photos!

Medals: 

The medals this year were amazing! All three of the medals featured a blue stained cut out of Lake Merritt. The Challenge Medal is my favorite because it has its own stand. Its sitting on my kitchen island as I type this. 

Conclusion:

The Oaktown Half is always a good time! From Race Week kick off at Oaklandish to the after race festivities - you are in for an amazing experience in Oakland. A race where you will get the most bang for your buck - beautifully crafted medals, food, beer, music & more importantly - running with friends. What more could you ask for?

Summary:
Among the shadows of Mount Helena, the Governor's Cup is truly a race where you can stretch your legs & get in a good rhythm. With Aid Stations supported by Hammer, you will be well fueled as you climb & decent from Clancy to Helena. Words like "Majestic" will come to mind as the course takes you through major forests right into historic downtown Helena & past the original Governor's Mansion.

Packet PickUp:
From my hotel I took a Lyft to the Great Northern Town Center. I headed to the Best Western Premier where the Expo & Packet Pick Up was being held. Bib Numbers were assigned at the table, and all I had to do is give my last name & I had my number! I was also given my race tech tee & Governor's Cup. I checked out the information table for events around Helena as well as a course map (which I realized later was in my bag). After I finished at the Expo, I walked around the Great Northern Town Center while reading the articles about Lewis & Clark featured in The Montana Experience.

Course Route & Elevation:
The Course starts in Clancy & follows along Interstate 15 on Frontage Road. Doesn't sound exciting, but it is! This section is between Helena National Forest, Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest and the northern tip of the Beverhead-Deerlodge National Forest! It is such a beautiful backdrop, you almost don't notice the the 4,000 foot elevation. But if you are from below sea level like me, you definitely need to have your last couple of training runs in high elevation before this race if possible.

Medal:
The medal is medium round with bronze like finish & it almost reminds me of an Olympic medal! Running through the mountains & valleys of Montana - I definitely felt like one!

Conclusion:
If you are looking for a race in Montana in your quest for 50 States or if you just want a quick racecation, the Governor's Cup is it! Small & intimate, but with just as much support as larger races! There are parts of the race where you are just one with nature, but around the corner there is a crowd for support - cheering you on to the next milestone.

Race Overview/Summary:
We have all heard of Santa Barbara - but have you heard of Solvang, a town rich in Danish architecture? Full of quaint bakeries & wineries as well as home to the Hans Christian Andersen Museum? Within the boundaries of the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang means ’Sunny Field’ and you’ll see why on this course!

Packet Pick Up:
I took the train & then a connector shuttle directly into Solvang. I was dropped off right at the Expo at Solvang Park! Instead of providing bib numbers beforehand, we were given QR codes (I love technology). Take your QR code to the stand, where they scan it & assign your bib number. Takes less than 5 minutes. Then you grab your shirt. I walked around the Expo, did a little wine tasting & then headed for a walk around Solvang to taste more wine & take pictures of the Windmills.

CourSe Route/Elevation:
2 Words. Corkscrew Hill. With over 1,000 feet in elevation gain, the name says everything you need to know. Train for high elevation & train for hills. Although I must say, the view from the top is absolutely gorgeous.

Swag/Extras:
Wine Glass & Wine Before and After Parties! It wouldn’t be a Wine Country Half without it, right? At the Expo for Packet Pick Up, we were treated to a few wine & beer tastings. One of my new favorites - Rosalie - is a beer rose hybrid. Who knew such a thing existed!?!? I picked up a canvas tote bag for $15.00 & then grabbed a few samples as I walked around The Expo. It wasn’t a large Expo. But the layout was nice enough that you could just make loops to ensure you got a chance to visit all the booths. In addition to the wine tasting & merchandise, there were quite a few photo booths & selfies stations for you to get a great photo.

Medal:
The medal doubles as a wine topper!

Conclusion:
Grab some run pals for a long weekend in Sunny Solvang. Enjoy the small town atmosphere & enjoy some wine. With a Saturday start time, you can enjoy Saturday & Sunday walking around Solvang - visiting the bakeries or historical monuments. You will be in awe that you get to run in such a beautiful place.

Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth. And its not as expensive as you may think to get to! Why not make your next race-cation The Hapalua? 13.1 miles of everything that makes Honolulu beautiful - sandy beaches, sparkling blue water, historical landmarks & a nice downhill right before the finish. And you'll appreciate that downhill after having climbed around Diamond Head - a volcanic crater created over 300,000 years ago.

Packet Pick Up
The Expo was held at the Honolulu Convention Center. Bib PickUp was so fast that I had plenty of time to walk around the expo & grab some breakfast afterwards. After getting my bib, shirt & tote - I took pictures with the Instagram board & checked out the vendors. I cannot say enough about the tote bag that we received! It held all of my expo purchases & now I use it whenever I am traveling. Tip: Be sure to check out the Virtual Goodie Bag for discounts at the Expo!

Course Route/Elevation
Parts of this course are also apart of the Honolulu Marathon. Not quite ready for 26.2 Miles? Try your hand at the Hapalua (which means Half) as practice before the big Honolulu Marathon in December.

The majority of the Hapalua is pretty flat, starting at Kuhio Park & making your way around Honolulu. But around Mile 9 you begin to climb Diamond Head - which will be the most difficult yet most rewarding part of the course. Once you hear the sounds of the drummers, you know you are almost to the top! Once there, you can pause at the lookout spot with other runners to take it all in. Then, start your decent to the Finish Line!
Tip: Stay at a hotel close to the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. Its like a 1 minute walk to the Start Line & a 10 Minute or so walk from the Finish Line.

Swag/Extras (Beer Party)
At the end of the race you are greeted with cold showers, food, photo opportunities. A few days after the race, we received links to each of the Finish Line videos - which had all been uploaded to YouTube! This way you can save the video of you crossing the Finish Line - for free!

Medal
It spins! This year’s medal featured the same logo as the T-Shirt & Tote Bag. The part that spins kinda reminds me of military dog tags.

Runners come from all over the world to run The Hapalua. If you are looking for a race with plenty of spectators (many willing to feed you & hose you down with water) & a challenging yet beautiful course - make plans to get to Honolulu the 2nd Sunday in April! Its an unforgettable experience!