I think this race as just ok. One thing is that while its super cool you run by the Alamo, the stretch right in front of the Alamo is super sleek as its the old fashion pavers. I think definitely Rock N Roll should put temporary carpet down. Sounds crazy, but seriously I ran it in the rain and it is super sleek. Aside from the Alamo, not much to see on this course.

Hotels: Lots to choose from near the start.
Parking: At hotels or other parking lots. Expo in main expo center and easy to get to.

Bottom line, for most Texans that live around here, you are better off doing the 3m Half Marathon in Austin which is downhill and fast to the capital versus an ok race in front of the Alamo.

The reason for the low marks on the Expo is due to the fact that they require you to go in person. Many runners come from Austin and its just easier if you send one person to collect many. However, they want you personally to go to the expo so you can spend and see all the sponsors, etc. Just annoying as this is a half marathon and you should be able to pick up others bibs.

The 2019 race was cancelled due to bad weather. Those that registered received the option of running for free in the 2020 race, so stay tuned for that review!

I ran this in 2017 as I wanted to experience a large 10K! Boy, the Cap10K is that! The largest 10K in Texas, the 6th largest in the country, the oldest Austin race, with 20,000+ people! If you live in Texas and are looking for a great 10K to do, this is it! If you do not live in Texas, but you want to experience a "world major 10K" as I call it, this is it! It has something for everyone- from an elite corral, to a costume contest, to team and school challenges, this 10K offers a lot of things!

The course itself is a little uphill in the beginning but then as you do the back half it goes down hill. Lots of aid stations and the course is well marked. My favorite part is the about mile 2 where they do a "king and queen of the hill". At that point in the race, there is a hill and they record your race time at the bottom of that hill running to the top. Winners are later crowned as the "king of the hill" and the "queen of the hill". A fun time challenge within a race to do! You'll see signs when the hill challenge starts and stops so you can bust a move up that hill!

All in all, a fun 10K to do! A Texas tradition in Austin!

Any race in Austin is bound to have hills, but this one is fast- downhill gradually all the way to downtown. For any Austinite, this is the race to do. The atmosphere is electric, especially at the end where you finish at the Capitol of Texas. Swag is good, parking easy at the start but you have to shuttle it back to the start after the race. All in all for a Texas race, this one isn't hot and doesn't have uphills. A win win in my book and a chance to PR.

The OC Marathon to me is a low key marathon (meaning not all the bells and whistles of a world major marathon). However, that doesn't mean it isn't great! It is small, but well done! I liked how I could easily park at the start and that there weren't too too many entrants.

I PRed this race in 2016 and I think its largely due to the fact that its a smaller race where you can truly find your rhythm and just run your pace. You will not see crowds (except at the end), you will not see many runners at times near you, but you will not be over crowded at the start. The course itself has some hills but nothing too bad. It winds through Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and around those areas.

All in all, if you live in SoCal, its a good marathon to do without having to travel to get to it. I'm not sure if I'd travel in for it as a destination marathon as I think there are other marathons that would be more scenic in terms of the sights and sounds of California.

I love the LA Marathon! I ran it in 2013 and 2015. Its a fun SoCal experience! Usually too the weather is just right!

The course begins in the Dodger Stadium parking lot (as a nice perk too you get to use actual bathrooms at the start line)! They open the stadium so you can sit in the seats while you wait and use their real restrooms! I stayed in Santa Monica and then took their bus to the start line. Super easy!

The course is linear which to be as a runner is mentally great! As a spectator though, its a bit challenging to see your family at multiple spots. From Dodger Stadium you run to Santa Monica - "stadium to sea" course. In between, you pass LA neighborhoods, including Hollywood and you run down Rodeo Drive. Its a neat way to see LA and all its cultures! You end running to Santa Monica and running along a stretch parallel to the ocean and finishing somewhat near the pier. All in all a fun course that makes me happy as I love SoCal and all the sights and sounds of LA!

As for course difficulty, there are hills! This is not an easy flat course but definitely doable! With a little hill training, you'll do great.