The Captain's Winter Solstice Runaround offers 3 race options, all of them are timed races. I ran the 12-hour option (knowing I would likely target the 50-mile mark, over the 12 hour mark), there are also a 6-hour and 4-hour options to sign-up for. The race is about as simple as you can get, you show up, get your bib and run.

I registered for the run on Wednesday morning with a Wednesday PM deadline to register. The website is pretty easy to navigate, it has the 3 options to register for and there you go you are done. The site doesn't have much info but it does give you a time and location, thats about all you need right? When I did have questions I emailed the race director and got an immediate response. From a race sign-up and inquiry aspect this race hosted by Dusty Bottoms Trail Runners check's all of the boxes.

Now let's get to race day, after emailing the race director I knew it would be a pretty simple morning since there were about 10 of us running the 12-hour, and maybe another 10-15 running the 6 hour. Both groups started at 7am. I got there just after 6am since I wasn't familiar with everything and wanted to give myself enough time to get my personal aid station all set-up. I knew exactly what I needed to bring for own fueling needs because the race director responded back to my email letting me know what they would have at the communal aid station set up next to the timing mat. When I walked up to the start area, the run group hosting the race was setting up, but when I got there I was greeted by a number of people setting up and they showed me the closest restroom and area where I was free to set-up my "stuff" (chair, snacks, wagon holding extra layers etc).

The course is simple and to be honest if you get lost, that's on you not the race. It's a one mile loop that is 99% pavement with about a 50 yard stretch of dirt.

For the first 2 hour it would be the two groups running around the loop, at 9am there would be the bulk of the participants jumping in for the 4-hour race. This is when the race got the most lively and it continued until 1pm when the 6 and 4 hour groups ended their day. With about 10 runners left after 1pm there was still a lot of support from the running group members, some even got in some training miles and gave other company as they ran the loops. The best thing about small races like this one is the support and friendly vibe that it offers (to be fair that's one of the best things about the ultra races is that, it is far tighter community in my opinion than the standard road race distance events).

Around the 9 hour 20 minute mark I completed 50.45 miles, this is when I called it a day, I hit my goal of 50 miles for the day. Upon completing the run and crossing the timing mat for the final time, I was congratulated with some friendly faces and authentic conversations. I was also provided with the race swag a t-shirt, a buff, patch (which somehow I lost already). Along with the standard race swag, runners who hit the 50-mile mark would receive a jacket which would be sent at a later time (I'll update the review when I get the jacket). When they found out that I drove in from Sacramento they were all very appreciative for me signing up, driving down and participating in the event.

All in all this was a blast, I got to run some miles and meet some new running folks I haven't met before. I hope this race gets some love and support from other runners out of the Modesto area.

Here's the final part that I think some runners need to know, if you're looking for placing in your age group or winning a race, this isn't the race for you. This race is about YOU, it's about hitting your goals for that given day. So if you're one of those runners who only signs up to win or place in your AG, then find another one. If you want to set a goal, be supported and enjoy the event then this is for sure one to consider and run. I will for sure put this run on my future race calendars and will check out other races that are hosted by Dusty Bottoms Trail Runners.

If you want to see the details of the loop here's a link to my Strava https://www.strava.com/activities/6400631730/overview .

A couple notes on the ratings above : zero stars for expo because there is no expo, 3 stars for the scenery because it's a loop so it doesn't change.

This is a timed race (6hr, 12hr or 24 hr). I ran the 24 hour and it was absolutely well executed. The course is mostly paved / gravel, it is a 1 mile loop around Crissy Field with an awesome view of the water. Though it might sound boring, the single loop is ideal for people trying to just run an ultra distance without having to plan for a crew and stop points etc. The race had an aid station, however each runner was welcome to set up their own, I had a folding chair, a cooler and a tub with my change of clothes, prefilled water / fuel bottles etc so I didnt have to try to put together a crew team for the race.

The race also has a large screen tv with real time standings and laps completed, so you literally just have to run as much or as little as you like. With each loop, you know that you will have all of your needed fuel and not to mention that people who are there supporting and cheering on other runners and cheering you on as well. In fact I made some friends running as well as with people who were hanging out near my aid set up, the people who were there for other runners started helping me as needed such as to fill water bottles etc. The community that comes out to this race event is extremely awesome and supportive for each runner no matter if you know them or not.

The event also has various belts for laps / distance completed. There is a 100k+ belt and a 100 mile+ belt as well. A few weeks after the race, I was also surprised with a coaster for finishing top 3 in my age group.

This race might not have the big name of other ultra events, however it is one worth doing especially if you are interested in trying to cover 100 miles in 24 hours for your first time.

The course would take us over the Verrazno Narrows Bridge, essentially 1 mile up and the second mile down. This is one of the two parts of the course that I really remember, the other portion that I remember was another bridge that had a little challenge for me was around mile 15 at the Queensboro Bridge.

For the entire 26.2-mile journey to Central Park, the environment outside of the actual course is what proved me with the most memories. Even after chatting with people after the race, they asked about certain parts but honestly I didn’t remember so here is the break down of how this race is the BEST race I have ever been part of.

The energy of the spectators was absolutely amazing. Millions of people lined the streets to cheer on random strangers that traveled from near and far to run this amazing race in their city and their boroughs. Each borough people had signs that welcomed runners into their specific neighborhood or borough, each one had their Welcome to ____ and Thank you for visiting ____, as if it were a competition between New Yorkers. The amount of sideways high-fives was awesome, as well as people yelling “GO DUDE IN GREEN” or GREAT JOB 5113″. It was all truly amazing. I was also able to witness the amazing support for the NYPD, as runners thanked them, then the crowds would go crazy and yell for runners who were NYPD!

The runners who participated … each one had a unique story of their journey from the first time marathoner (including my friend Pat) to the 27 time NYC Marathon finisher who I met on the subway well after I finished, each one Got Their New York On. At the start I was able to meet a coupe of New Yorkers who were trying to run with the 3:05:00 pacer, where I started as well, though I decided to pull away quickly into the race so I could focus on my own race day plans. Along the course I was around the group of New York runners who I met at the start and they included a “Good job Cali” as they ran along side me, suddenly I made a couple of friends along the run. Each runner in this race was genuinely excited and supportive of one another along the course and to finish the 26.2-mile journey strong.

checkout my full race report w/ photos at: http://christophermalenab.com/2014/11/04/get-your-new-york-on-marathon-day/

It’s been a very long time since I ran a Rock ‘n’ Roll race, Sunday that all changed when I toed the line in San Jose. As part of the Bib Rave Pro team at BibRave.com, I was fortunate enough to be provided a free entry into the race in exchange of using my social media outlets to promote the race, even sharing a discount code with my followers. I am also posting my review on BibRave.com, so if you don’t have an account there you should check it out and read the reviews before joining in on a race.

So my original intention for this race was to “race it”, but with last week’s news of not getting into the 2015 Boston Marathon, I opted to take this course as a training run, preparing for both New York City Marathon and the California International Marathon. Skipping forward about this course, with many of the streets in neighborhood areas and Downtown San Jose, this course has some wide streets and only a hand full of changes with ascends and descends, if you want to really hammer this race, this could be an “A” target half marathon for those of you looking for a fall half marathon.
My race weekend started on Saturday with a 2 hour drive to San Jose with my wife and son to pick-up my bib, D-tag, and swag at the race expo held at the San Jose Convention Center. Getting in and out of the expo was pretty quick and painless, no long lines to deal with, and nothing to outrageous that caused me wishing things were a bit different. My son had a blast running around with all the sounds and sights of the expo. In the expo, I only had one booth that I was determined to find and say hello to the friendly folks at Skechers Performance Division. After making our way through the expo it was time for lunch before heading back to Sacramento to hangout for the rest of the day.

Sunday morning came around pretty quickly and it was time to hit the road. I jumped into my car just before 5:00AM knowing that the ride would take close to 2 hours to get there, with little traffic, I was there in 1:45.

Once I got into San Jose, the parking was pretty simple though some of the exits were a bit congested due to the large number of runners running in the event. The weekend offered a 5k on Saturday and 10k and 13.1 on Sunday morning. This race also had 19 corrals or wave starts, so this could provide you an idea of how many people were ready to run the streets of San Jose.

After finding some FREE street parking, I got myself together and headed to the start line area where I started my long run of 16 miles for the day, knowing that 13.1 of them would be in the race. At the start line area I found fellow Bib Rave Pro and friend Erin. She was also in for a long run weekend as she ran 4-miles to the start.

With some quick pre-race needs, like using the porto, it was time to toe-the line. The count down was on and it was time to run this race, as a training run. I was in corral 1 just behind the elites. This group would provide me a good pace to keep me at training, in fact I started at the back of the corral as to make sure I didn’t get out and run too fast to start the race.

Along the course I would keep the 1:30 pace group around me, sometimes in front, sometimes even and sometimes behind me. The course as I mentioned offered some pretty wide areas to run as well as some pretty fast paved roads. Not to mention the awesome support and music along the course. After mile 5, the course brought us back near the start area, where I could see some of the later corrals still awaiting their starts.

All I could think of during this run was, man I wish I would have raced this because the course is really really fast! It’s fast and comfortable to keep a steady pace as well. After the 13.1 miles was all said and done, I crossed the finish line at a finishing time of 1:29:11. about 50 seconds under my training goal of 1:30:00. Not too bad for a Sunday stroll around San Jose.

With medal in hand, I continued my run to get my total distance in for the day.

This is the first time I have ran this race. I was invited to run this race by the friendly folks at the Skechers Performance Division and asked to gather a team of runners to represent the brand. The race was held in downtown Roseville on an all paved road, which offered for some fast running. The out and back with a small loop had just a little bit of a climb sprinkled on occasion, but nothing to worry about. With a number of companies at the start / finish area, the race provided a fun environment while raising funds for breast cancer awareness. I took 4th overall in the 5k and 2nd in my age group with my training partner taking 3rd and 1st in our age group. This is one too spot if you want to find a fast road race in Roseville. The race is managed by A Change of Pace who does good job with their races.