Latest reviews by Mark Villalovos

(2014)
"The Great Race Place"
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This is my second running of the Santa Anita Derby Day 5K - usually in week 1 April at the historic Santa Anita Racetrack in beautiful Arcadia, CA.
This race is run on the morning of the Santa Anita Derby - a HUGE event in the world of horse racing. In addition to the bugler belting out the "call to the post", runners start through an actual Starting Gate and race down a wide path across Baldwin and into the scenic, peaceful, and picturesque LA Arboretum. After over a mile of winding through the flora and fauna, you exit into the stable area of Santa Anita. Crossing the terrain where the great California Chrome and other legendary horses once trod, you traverse the back stretch (aka the North Parking Lot) before entering the tunnel and emerging onto the infield. One of the highlights is crossing onto the interior practice track where you finish off the final furlongs on the clay-like surface of this majestic race course.
Overall a fantastic run. The swag is first rate complete with a beer garden, an actual medal (this year's included a bottle opener - sweet!), a $5 tech tee, a bonus cotton tee, entrance to the races for the day and even a pair of free clubhouse passes for later in the season. Tons of value for your racing dollar! Also races for they youngsters so be sure to pick up some spectator passes at the expo so your family can enter the infield and cheer on your majestic finish.

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(2014)
"An epic non-stop running relay from LA to Boston to benefit the One Fund Boston"
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Participating in One Run for Boston is a life changing experience. This is a grass roots effort led by a few Patriots who live over in England - Danny Bent, Kate Treleaven and Jamie. A wild idea that runners from across the United States would stand in unison and participate in a 24 hour non-stop relay where each runner signs up for a stage to run 8 - 18 miles, all the while passing a baton from one runner to the next covering a span of over 3,328.2 miles. The baton departed Santa Monica CA on March 16th and arrived in Boston, MA on April 13th, 2014.
All runners agree to raise funds which go to the ONE FUND, benefiting those impacted by the Boston Marathon Bombings in 2013.
Facebook and Twitter were employed to cajole and implore runners to sign up in the most remote of areas. This year I selected Stage 29, a span of 12.2 miles in the middle of the California Desert - just West of the CA/AZ border. My stage began at 9:30 pm on Tus, March 18th. This remote, desolate span of Highway 62 was quiet as a tomb while a cathedral of stars twinkled to life above me. I was blessed with the moonrise of a near full moon to accompany me on my run. Lit up like a Christmas Tree to avoid being hit by the rare passing car or truck, my loving wife and daughter drove 100 feet behind me in an effort to call attention to the brightly flashing lunatic up ahead brandishing an electric torch.
The camaraderie that is formed with runners running the earlier and later stages on this journey in the days leading up to your run is priceless. I was a single link in a mighty chain of over 2,000 runners who answered the plea to participate in this momentous event, but for that brief, 1 hr, 45 minute shining moment, I was part of helping fellow Americans rebuild their lives after those tragic events.
I urge runners of other stages to share a review of how this relay impacted them.
There was a book that was written about organizing the inaugural One Run For Boston 1 in 2013 which is a fascinating read and available here... http://www.onerunforboston.org/shop.asp

Bravo to the organizers, and standing ovation to all those that participated and/or donated!

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(2014)
"Ahhhh...Running through traffic-free LA Streets"
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LA is a tough place to run. Lots of great scenery, but traffic is always a hassle. Not so on this evening. The Race begins in Downtown LA - my wife and son agreed to drop me off by the start and catch a movie at LA Live - so the car would be near the finish line.
Both 5K and Half Marathon begin at the same time, so the first corral is filled with young, lightning quick Cross Country runners and this causes a bit of congestion.
The run begins after sundown, but the course well lit, well signed, and a combo of flat with some rolling hills, although nothing super difficult. Law enforcement is holding traffic at bay and directing you over the course. After you exit downtown, you make your way toward Chinatown (with the ceremonial drums pounding) and across to Elysian Park. There is a point where you leave city streets and run on a trail - this is a welcome diversion and running in the (rare) fresh air in LA is invigorating. The highlight of this race is running through Dodger Stadium - you enter through the gate out in Left Field and circumnavigate the field on the outer dirt/warning track. Lights are flashing, music is pumping through the massive sound system. I tested my Yasiel Puig leap when I reached the Center Field Wall and could almost hear the Vin Scully call, "It's tiiiiiime for Dodger Baseball!" Being a long-time Dodger fan, I left this part of the course feeling pumped and reinvigorated.
The rest of the course is largely downhill - back to Downtown and the bright lights of the finish area.
My second fave part of this race was the post-race celebration. Excellent beer and some great camaraderie with fellow finishers.
Where they could be more effective:
- Expo was tough to find parking for, was cramped and seemed a bit disorganized
- Really did not like the white hoodie with the logo - this seemed inappropriate as race wear and has never been worn.
Overall, it was a great course through streets normally choked with traffic. If you train, I would recommend this race as a great New Year's Resolution.

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