Latest reviews by Charlie Oliver

(2021)
"Great race on Beautiful Land"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

This is a beautiful course that runs from Oakhurst to Bass Lake through a forest region. It's mostly downhill in the middle with the exception of some uphills at the very beginning and (to me) surprising gain at the end. Honestly I don't think it would have bothered me if I had remembered it and hadn't prepared myself that it was "ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE" but some of those ones at the end HURT.

Anyway, it's gorgeous. I wouldn't wear trail shoes (as I did) because it's more of a road race after about two miles of rocky trail and you're essentially running the winding road that you'd drive by car.

The shirt was nice, the organization was excellent, and the race-pitstops for water and whatnot were great. No complaints--I guess they had some kind of issue with the bib pickup for people who tried to get it the day before but I just had mine mailed because I live about 45 minutes away so it didn't impact me much. Their emails seemed very genuinely apologetic and cool about admitting they could have done better, though.

This was my first race with Vacation Races and I'll probably do it again next year as well. I am looking into other stuff with them as well!

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(2021)
"Two Miles of Bland then Eleven Miles of Beautiful"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

This is technically the second year of this race but since the first year had to go virtual due to COVID, this was the first time it had been actually "live." Again, with COVID there's no expo (and no live entertainment, etc.) but the bib pickup and all were very smooth as are all California Classic events in the area--it was a drive through deal over in North Fresno. I wasn't crazy about the tech shirt because they went with a white color and the design is a little meh for me. The hat, on the other hand, is awesome!

The next day was the actual race and due to a bit of rain the parking lots they had set aside were muddy and unavailable for us to park in. Instead we had to park in the neighborhood of the nearby housing development which was about a ten minute walk over to the start line--not a big deal.

The course itself started a little rough because it felt like I was running through someone's vineyards on narrow paths, trying to get past groups of walkers while dodging large mud puddles. By the end of the second mile I was beginning to think this would be a one time race for me and then, just around mile 2.5 the views began. It was remarkable watching people see it and I noted that I was not the only person who stopped and took a photo. Once you've left the vineyard area you're into some beautiful rolling hills and wetlands area with verdant green all around you. It was genuinely lovely--like GOLF COURSE LOVELY--and everything clicked into place. At that point I knew I was down with this race every time they wanted to put it on.

The aid stations and porta-potties felt like they were every two miles or so and they were always stocked with Gatorade, water, and most had some Gu gels as well. All the volunteers were enthusiastic and supportive yellers which is always nice. Recommended!

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