I had booked plane tickets to Vancouver at the end of December and went looking for races in Canada and found the Chilly Chase by Try Events. I ended up signing up for the 10K, because I'm always up for a race when I travel. If I weren't tight for time and catching a flight back to the states at 1pm, I would have done the 15K or Half Marathon.

Distance Options: 5K, 10K, 15K, Half Marathon

Start time: 9 AM

Location: Seawall in Vancouver, starts near the science center at the Creekside Community Rec Center

Getting there: Train, bus or drive. Since I'm not from Vancouver, When I got off the train, I happen to see a few other runners and followed them. Love it when that happens!

Packet Pick up: Friday and Saturday at 2 different running stores. There was Race Day pick up for $5 CAD. Sorry for the USD guys, it's all I had!

Course: Very Flat, which was a nice change from past races for me. It was out and back along the Seawall. It was a 'bare bones' type of race, which I was feeling today. Water stopes every 1.5 ish miles or so and km markers placed out on course. Had to look hard for them though since they were on the ground and not that big, but it's all good. It was primarily on paved running trails, though the part around the science center had this weird material.

Post Race: they had water, bananas and brownies. Typical small community race, which was nice. Bag check was inside the rec center, so everything stayed dry. Everyone got a medal regardless of distance

If I lived in Vancouver, I'd come back and do this race. It was a nice change up from the big races I've done recently and let me get into my own head a little bit!

This year was my first HC in San Francisco, I've done races in other cities prior to this so I at least have some comparison of what to expect. This year's race was complicated by weather, in that we had pouring rain and wind gusts up to 30 mph and led to a shortened course. So here it be.

Expo: Small, though most of the HC Expos are. Some local races (Bay to Breakers), Running Companies, etc. Easy to get your bib, though they assign your number right there. I had to make sure after the fact that my number was really assigned because it didn't come up under runner tracking. HC branded stuff for sale as well. Expo was at the South SF Convention center that wasn't close to downtown. I was able to swing by from the airport. Uber is probably your best bet to get there because parking's tight

Swag bag: these are always the bare basics. Typically, whatever the jacket is and a bag and that's it. This year was a hooded zipper sweatshirt. The nice thing is, there's an area to try it on and swap if you want a different size.

Getting to the race: some parking, but limited. Race was at Golden Gate Park. Shuttles were offered from a few different locations, I ended up taking the shuttle from Union Square. You had to purchase tickets ahead of time and ShowClix made a big deal about having the tickets printed off, but then when we got on the bus, they didn't scan or take them

Bag Check: well organized. However, the zip tie to attach my tag to the bag was already closed when I picked up my bag and holding the safety pins together. Had to get a zip tie there

Race Day Weather: of all days of California to not be in a drought situation, today was that day. Rained all morning and gusts of wind up to 30 mph on course.

The Start: 820 AM for the 15K. Lined up in corrals, goes on a staggered start system, which is appreciated.

The course: The 15K was on a shortened course to 5.9 miles due to the wind gusts and safety concerns. Fair enough, though the wind didn't seem bad in the park until close to the end of the race. Some hills, though nothing terrible. One of my big things with the HC races in general is they have their races in major cities, but their courses don't let you see the city. I wanted to see more of SF, not just Golden Gate Park. Since the course was shortened, only 2-3 water stops and got the chocolate chips and marshmallows.

Post race: Easy getting through the chute. Medals followed by water, though it took a bit to find. Easy to get back to bag check and to get to the hot chocolate mugs, etc. The chocolate was a bit watered down from the weather though. Since it was still raining and windy, not many people stuck around. Everyone was trying to get out so they could get showered and warm

Overall a good race, just wish I could have seen more of SF and that weather would have cooperated. RAM Racing did well on their part communicating things, though text alerts race day would have been a plus

This year was the Inaugural Merrie Mile with the Honolulu Marathon. The Marathon itself has been going on for 44 years.

The Expo: Same as the expo for the marathon. Only thing is that you have to pick up your bib either Thursday or Friday. No race day pick up. You could still register at the expo if you missed it online. You get bib and shirt together. Ok expo, some of your typical running stuff (races, 2xu, honey stinger, etc) and then other vendors that were geared more towards the Japanese runners.

Bag Check: None on race day

Start time: 7 AM with 3 minutes between each corral

Course: Out and back on Kalakaua starting around the zoo. Race finishes in the park by the zoo. Fairly quick course with the corrals based off time so quicker runners first. The elites ran once everyone else was done with the women going before the men and the men starting 27 seconds after the women's start to try and catch them.

Post race: some food and pineapple juice were being handed out. Music was going on afterwards.

Thoughts: overall, very well run but a few tweaks are needed. There needs to be better corral separation because walkers were getting into the faster corrals. Something like where each corral started would have been helpful. At the finish, there was only 1-2 tables per section of food/drink, so things got real congested real fast. A friend of mine didn't even get anything because the line was so backed up when she finished. Needed more area for food to fix that problem. A bunch of us were doing the marathon, so the thought of a challenge would be awesome.

A fun race to run for anyone wanting to run!

I'm just getting back from Hawaii and have spent the last 24 hrs digesting my time in Hawaii! I left last Wednesday and made a trip out of it and met some great people along the way.

Hotels: Plenty along the start/finish of the race course. If you stay towards the finish, there's a shuttle to the start. If you stay towards the finish, they direct you towards an area of taxi/uber/lyft and public transportation.

Expo: Runs Thursday-Saturday prior to the race with no race day pick up. An ok size of expo with some of your typical running stuff (honey stinger, 2XU, races, shoes, clothes, etc) and then other vendors that seem to have no connection with running (and they tended to be geared towards the Japanese runners). When you get your bib, you don't get your shirt with it, as you'll get it at the finish. Also, you have to make sure your bib is activated and that you pick it up (can't be picked up by someone else).

Bag Check: probably the only race where it's done the day before at the finish. I had an idea of what I wanted and luckily I didn't need more (and that the weather was what I had anticipated). It's at the finish (start is a separate location).

Start: 5 AM. I thought it was really early, but with how hot it gets in Honolulu, I agree with this 100%

Anyone's welcome and a run/walker friendly race (final runner finished this year in 16 hrs!)

The Course: First few miles take you through the downtown area, past the old palace, the Honolulu tower, etc. You then go up the roads of Diamond Head and the local areas. Starting at 18K, the course does an out route along Kalanianaole Hwy. Before 25 KM, you turn and do a loop around some pretty amazing Hawaiian lakes/scenery before being brought back along Kalanianaole Hwy. through 22 miles. You get taken down Kahala and back down around Diamond Head and then ultimately down Kalakaua to the Finish.

Aid Stations: 16 total on course. It's Hawaii and hot, it would have been nice to have some more after diamond head. Also, the gatorade they had wasn't sweet enough by any means!

Post Race Swag: after you cross the finish, you get a shell neckless, your medal and then exit to the post race area. After some walking, which seems like a really long time when your feet are killing you, you pick up your shirt (it took some searching to find the huge floating balloon search) and your checked bag if you had one. Food was a bit hard to find, but worth it because of the POLISH DONUTS that were fresh (read, right out of the oven). Take some time to enjoy the post race music. There's also race merchandise available

Post Race Monday: if you're still around, you can pick up your race certificate and other finisher gear and have engraving done

Things to improve on: the start was a bit congested and works on the honor system with your time. The issue is that there were walkers where there shouldn't have been. There were points that were real congested with people and where I was using more energy getting around people because they weren't in the right starting area. I think it'd be beneficial to have separate corrals with it indicated on the bib and have a wave start to separate things out. Another (minor) thing: it's Hawaii, the bibs could have been so fun!!! In the finish area, I wish there would have been easier ways to see things. It took me some walking to find the finisher shirts and the food- even if it's better bigger map distribution so you know where you're at. I'm also bummed that they don't mail the actual finisher certificates so if you don't stay until Monday, you download them instead. one final thing, checking the bags on the Saturday before the race- I ran the Merrie Mile, I wish it would have been open then so I didn't have to go back and check my marathon stuff (it was a good mile away!).

Overall though, a great race. Go run it, good views and good bling. Make it a vacation for sure!!!!

If you're planning on running Surf City in February or the Honolulu Marathon in December, look into this race. The Surf City 10 Miler is in Mid December and is a gem I don't think people necessarily tap into.

Location: Huntington Beach, California; Same location as the Surf City Marathon & Half Marathon

Expo: Held the Saturday before, but you can also pick up bibs Sunday morning before races start. Good amount vendors there, includes running stores (I got a pair of tights, running spandex and a pair of shorts for $70 with the retail value of $197. Bib pick up was painless, just remember to fill out the waiver. Shirts are decent, but I wish races in general would quit assuming all women like pink.

Distances: 10 Miles, 10K, 5K

Race Day Parking: Can be a bit chaotic. Most people were trying to park in the lots by the beach, so there was back up there. I ended up parking in one of the underground self parks. $12 for 2 hrs worth

Race Course: out and back, fairly flat with some minor hills. The 10 mile race started at 7 and were on time with it, with the 10K and 5K starting at 745 and 815 AM. Water stops on course, but I thought they were suppose to be every mile, which they weren't. Wish the water stops would have been every mile. One the way back, we picked up runners from the 10K and the 5K. Part of the problem I had was that if you were mid to end of the 10 miler, you got slowed down by walkers from the 5K/10K. I finished about 2 hrs

Post Race: expo kept going until 11 or 1130. Medals given as you crossed the finish line, there was also water, food and chocolate milk

Medals: awesome, as always, from Surf City with a bottle opener. Just make sure to take it out of luggage while going through airport security to avoid being searched!

A good race, just wish the water situation was worked on!