Latest reviews by Melanie Lebel

(2019)
"Running Universal featuring Jurassic World 5K "
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Loved the race. The expo was basically just to pick up your bib, shirt and bag. They did promote their next race of The Trolls with a few photo stops with some of the cars from Jurassic World. Parking was quick and easy but it was the opposite side from the start line but close by the finish line. The start line had corrals but it was on a first come basis. Did a decent amount of running through the park but watch out for the hills of the back lot. Not many photo stops but you still had the back drop of Universal Studios to take all the pictures you wanted.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.
(2019)
"2019 USA Women's Half Marathon"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

This is the very first year for this race. Bib pickup and race expo was at one of the outdoor malls in Palm Desert. Bib pick up was crowded and a little bit disorganized. I arrived after the sun went down and it was a little bit dark. The expo was just a few vendors and there was not a lot of lighting. The was a pasta dinner included during bib pick up but there was a long line for that. Parking and the start line were easy and not hard to find. They needed more volunteers handing out water at each station. There was only 2 volunteers at each station so the ones at the end of the course you had to wait a little bit for them to fill the cups of water. You received a Tiffany necklace instead of a medal and a Lululemon shirt at the end of the race. The line was long and right at the finish line. So you went from running at the finish line to trying to find the end of the line for your necklace right away. They also had breakfast and mimosas at the finish line. There were lines for that also but they moved pretty fast. The course is a nice flat course and easy to PR at. Not very scenic but still nice. Had a great time and loved the swag. Hopefully they will listen to what people thought went wrong this year and improve on it for next year.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.
(2019)
"Running Universal featuring Jurassic World 10K "
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Loved the race. Almost the same as the 5k race the day before. The expo was basically just to pick up your bib, shirt and bag. They did promote their next race of The Trolls with a few photo stops with some of the cars from Jurassic World. Parking was quick and easy but it was the opposite side from the start line but close by the finish line. The start line had corrals but it was on a first come basis. Did a some amount of running through the park but watch out for the hills. We ran out of the park and down the street that leads to the park and then back up that hill. To get mileage in they had us run through some of the parking structures which was a little boring. Then back to running the back lot with more hills. Not many photo stops but you still had the back drop of Universal Studios to take all the pictures you wanted.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.
(2019)
"Drumstick Dash 5k"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Thanksgiving morning and it was raining. Parking was available on the side streets and the North Hollywood Metro station. Packet pick up that morning was on a side street and busy. The streets were flooded because of the rain so it was hard to get around. They had a good about of vendors. Once the race started the rain had stopped but going down some of the side streets was a little tricky since they were flooded with water. Still had a great time but went home with very wet socks and shoes that day.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.
(2019)
"2019 LA Dodgers 5k"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Love this race. You get a shirt, medal and a bobblehead as part of your swag. It runs through the hills on Elysian Park so the course is not flat but still a fun race. Lots of vendors that come out during packet pick up and the day of the race. If the Dodgers are playing an away game then you can sit in the top deck seats to watch during packet pick up.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.