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Submitted by christopher.ayangco
August 26, 2013
Review
Much improvement over year 1. Most of the problems with last years race were resolved this year. Shirts were given unexpectedly last minute which I think was awesome of the RD because he wasn’t happy with the Sun Glasses. I just know the race will get better as the years go by.
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Submitted by jyamastoker
August 25, 2013
Review
This is my second year in a row doing this race. Much better in 2013. Glad the race director made improvements from last year. Packet pick-up was smooth the day before (tho’ no T-shirts were available on Friday). I had to pick up the T-shirt on Saturday before the race started. We also got plastic sunglasses in our swag. Packet pick-up was also available on race day. Race day parking was $10 ($5 if you pre-pay) charged by the city. The race course is much better this year. This year the race course was on a closed course. The course took up a whole inner lane going around the Rose Bowl loop. Much better than last year. There was plenty of room for participants on the course. Didn’t need a wave start. I say it probably took about 5 minutes for everyone to start. Race started a few minutes late. What made this race so much fun is seeing the other participants get all dressed up in 80’s fashions, 80’s movies characters and 80’s singers and cartoon characters. There were a lot of participants dressed up in neon and a few star wars characters. There was a pre-race warm up and music before the start. Also I liked that there were a couple of live bands playing on the course. What I really liked about the race was the cool looking Darth Vader medal! The race T-shirt was also nice with Darth Vader theme on it too. After you finished, they had a small bottle of water, potato chips and some almonds available. It was a little confusing to find the area to get your medals. Their policy was no chip, no medal, which I think is a great policy since a lot of races have issues with bandits doing the race for free and getting a medal. The post race party was just so-so for us. Yes there was a DeLorean car in the finish line area where they had people taking pictures but the line was so long. Also there was a dance floor in the finish line area with some music playing. There were a couple of vendors in the post race area. This was a really fun race to do. Saw a lot of families doing this race together!
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Submitted by lbclove
August 25, 2013
Review
I was a little hesitant to sign up for this race based on last years reviews but I am glad I did.
The race was really well organized and bib pick up on race day of was very fast. This was the first time anyone has actually asked to see my I.D at a 5k. Tons of people showed up in costume which just made it a fun party atmosphere. The water stations along the coarse DID NOT run out of water and they had a couple live bands playing as well. The first 2 miles were up hill so it made the coarse challenging which was nice. I did not like that fact that all the runners were released at the same time. That made the first 3/4 miles of the coarse pretty congested so it would be great if they fixed that next year. They had plenty of water and snacks at the finish line. To get your medal you had to turn in a timing chip…no chip, no medal. I actually like that since they ran out of medals at the Knott’s Coaster Run due to bandit runners and would like to see that policy enforced more often. The only thing that I would have liked to see is a drink machine or food truck at the after party. Hot Gatorade and mini bottles of water just were not cutting it in that hot Pasadena sun. Other than it is a fun run with lot’s to look at and ton’s of happy runners around. The giant Darth Vader medal was a nice perk too.
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Submitted by Caroline
September 11, 2012
Review
Never again. So done with this RD and Superheroes Events. Should have known better after Hollywood Half fiasco.
ok. Course is the only thing that gets a B because well it was the Rose Bowl. I like running that loop. I dont like double loop though.
Everything else was a MESS.
Late start that started late….almost 10 am for the 10K. It was over 90 degrees out. Ridiculous. Race Director blaming the city, the police, everyone except him. Kept telling us to “be patient”.
The start was a mess.
No order…5k started BEFORE 10K…makes no sense to me
winners crossing the finish line before everyone had a chance to actually start the race.
NO WATER for 10K runners. In this heat it is dangerous to not plan for that. and no the runners should not have to carry bottles for a 10k. there should be at least 1 station WITH water and cups. WE PAY for these races. it is not like training on our own. Post race was also terrible, no water, nothing.
It was not a race, it was a party. The focus was on costumes and music not the runners. I can see walkers liking this event but for runners it was a nightmare.
the race director handled the honest comment very poorly after the race. Cannot accept any comments other than “it was great” “we had fun”. he takes everything way too personal and is not professional. I think he is great at planning a party but not a race. I will not do any of their events again. RD sent me some emails after the race that were out of line. He forgets that we are the CUSTOMERS.
Safe to say that I will not run this one again.
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Submitted by Bailey K. Moreno
September 6, 2012
Review
I was incredibly disappointed by this race, and more by the people who organized it (Ken Kwadike Jr. and Superhero Events, LLC). First of all, why did the 5k start before the 10k? Any race organizer with brains knows that you always start the longer race first, and early. It is summer in Pasadena for crying out loud, who starts a 5k at 8:30 and a 10k at 9? However, due to lack of communication with the Pasadena PD, the 5k didn’t start until almost 9, and the 10k didn’t go off until practically 10. Ken blamed it on the PPD, saying that they said that there were too many people on the couse, and this delay was in no way his fault. BULL!!!!!!!!! If he had gotten the proper permits and coordinated with the PPD properly, this would not have happened. I was in the third wave of 10kers, and I didn’t cross the start line until 9:55. Furthermore, when we got to the water station, there were no cups, and the last jug of water was drops away from being empty. I ran the Hollywood Half Marathon back in April, and they had the same issues with water and cups. I forgave Ken because it was the first event that Ken coordinated, and I didn’t think he could screw up that badly again, but, he managed to screw up worse. The lack of water caused my mom, my aunt, and myself to drop the 10k and go down to the 5k. And when my aunt went up to Ken, to tell him about the issues (such as no water), he blamed everything on other people and basically called her a liar to her face (by saying that there was water). Not cool. Also, when I, and others, posted on the facebook page for this event, complaining about the issues, Ken deleted them, and then lied about it. I personally got blocked from the page, and when my mom called her on it, he said that wasn’t true. However, another guy commented on my mom’s post, saying it was, and Ken then proceeded to block them both. If he thought he could block bad publicity by deleting posts, he is mistaken. It just makes everyone think he’s a complete jerk. All I wanted was an apology, and Ken wasn’t even decent enough to give me that. I will never again do a race by Superhero Events, LLC.
But, now for some positives. Fun theme, it was great to see everyone dressed up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Packet pick-up was a breeze. That is it for the positives.
Seriously Ken, you should not be a race coordiantor if you are not willing to admit that yu messed up, if you would just say “I’m sorry” than you would seem less rude, but now everyone thinks you are an incredibly rude little man who can’t own up to anything. Saying that you can take the criticism is a big fat lie, because you can’t. I never said anything negative about you, just about the race, and you deleted my facebook posts. If you really can take the criticism, apologize for your mistakes, and email everyone who’s posts you deleted with an apology for being a jerk.
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Submitted by Bailey K. Moreno
September 6, 2012
Review
I was incredibly disappointed by this race, and more by the people who organized it (Ken Kwadike Jr. and Superhero Events, LLC). First of all, why did the 5k start before the 10k? Any race organizer with brains knows that you always start the longer race first, and early. It is summer in Pasadena for crying out loud, who starts a 5k at 8:30 and a 10k at 9? However, due to lack of communication with the Pasadena PD, the 5k didn’t start until almost 9, and the 10k didn’t go off until practically 10. Ken blamed it on the PPD, saying that they said that there were too many people on the couse, and this delay was in no way his fault. BULL!!!!!!!!! If he had gotten the proper permits and coordinated with the PPD properly, this would not have happened. I was in the third wave of 10kers, and I didn’t cross the start line until 9:55. Furthermore, when we got to the water station, there were no cups, and the last jug of water was drops away from being empty. I ran the Hollywood Half Marathon back in April, and they had the same issues with water and cups. I forgave Ken because it was the first event that Ken coordinated, and I didn’t think he could screw up that badly again, but, he managed to screw up worse. The lack of water caused my mom, my aunt, and myself to drop the 10k and go down to the 5k. And when my aunt went up to Ken, to tell him about the issues (such as no water), he blamed everything on other people and basically called her a liar to her face (by saying that there was water). Not cool. Also, when I, and others, posted on the facebook page for this event, complaining about the issues, Ken deleted them, and then lied about it. I personally got blocked from the page, and when my mom called her on it, he said that wasn’t true. However, another guy commented on my mom’s post, saying it was, and Ken then proceeded to block them both. If he thought he could block bad publicity by deleting posts, he is mistaken. All I wanted was an apology, and Ken wasn’t even decent enough to give me that. I will never again do a race by Superhero Events, LLC.
But, now for some positives. Fun theme, it was great to see everyone dressed up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Packet pick-up was a breeze. That is it for the positives.
Seriously Ken, you should not be a race coordiantor if you are not willing to admit that yu messed up, if you would just say “I’m sorry” than you would seem less rude.
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Submitted by blueditto
September 4, 2012
Review
it was a good race. yeah the course was tight but you knew that if you looked at the map. post race ran our of water, ok there was a food truck right there….i got my water. the atmosphere was fun and exciting. no race is perfect but i had loads of fun. ready for san diego.
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Submitted by Amanda Daley
September 4, 2012
Review
Packet pickup was a breeze. I was in and out with a great t shirt a cool swag bag within 4 minutes. The volunteers were nice and were knowledgeable about any questions I had.
The race started at 8:30am and we were told the 5k (multiple heats in 2 minute increments) would go off before the 10k. The course was a simple one or two loops around the rose bowl with the start and finish in the same vicinity. One water station at mile 1.5 that I passed up because I just don’t need water for such a short race. The only thing I could ask for was the course be closed. I was weaving and dodging walkers coming the opposite way.
They gave out an awesome medal and had some good vendors handing out samples right as we crossed the finish line. Bands, dancing and other competitions were going on. It was a great atmosphere and everyone was having a blast reliving the 80’s. I will 100% be going again next year!
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Submitted by Martinvan
September 4, 2012
Review
Pre-race: Packet pick up was easy. I wish it had been in a hotel lobby rather than in the late afternoon Rose Bowl parking lot heat. There was free parking so I am giving them a “D” grade here instead of an “F.”
Race Day: Race morning was a disaster. The both races should have begun at 7:00-7:30 am. Unfortunately race organizers (Ken Kwadike Jr) decided it would be better to start around 9-10:00 am. I didn’t see much organization or management from Ken & Co (aka Super Hero Events LLC). Late summer/ early Autumn Pasadena is really hot and gets there fast. So it is very important to get the event moving on time. Mr. Kwadike, dressed in a Michael Jackson costume, told us on the stage near the start line the Pasadena Police would not let the race start and that there were too many runners on the course. This was not his fault. Really? I have run races on this course in the past. I don’t believe Mr. Kwadike’s excuses for his actions showed the beginnings of a poor management style, lack of professionalism and immaturity. I have been in races were the same number of people were started quickly and efficiently. This was the first race I have been in that there was no separation for faster/slower runners. There were instances where people pushing baby carriages started the race before runners. I was one of those frustrated runners (there were many of us) who watched as Mr. Kwadike danced on stage listening to music as runners waited. Then he vanished. I assumed it was because he could not handle the situation. When the crowd got too much for him, Mr. Kwadike was no longer on the microphone and was nowhere to be found. My impression of the pre-race activities was that Super Hero Events was a group of deejays seeking to play music and hopefully the race would work out.
Course: This was the standard 5k/10k Rose Bowl loop course. I have run several races on it before. The water ran out in the 90 degree heat before most of us got to the water table. I am assuming that it was not Mr. Kwadike’s fault rather it was the volunteers outside of his organization.
Post-race: There were no answers from organizers. Negative posts of the “Awesome 80s Pasadena Run” were removed. I have personally left several messages on Super Hero Events voice mail with no follow up from Mr. Kwadike.
Overall: This was an excellent race concept. The individuals who organized and managed this event are not. I consider them hacks and should feel lucky that nobody was seriously injured because of the lack of event management related to the high heat and little water. I expected 80s cover bands and got recorded music. Ok, not a big thing. I expected an early morning cool run (the time was moved up several times) and got a hot run tying not to pass out because of the heat and lack of water.
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Submitted by Masely
September 4, 2012
Review
I will never run in a Superh«ro Events, LLC event again. I’ve run a few other races at the Rose Bowl, so I’m familiar with how a race should work at this venue. The lack of water during and after the race was inexcusable and negligent. One station at mile 1.5 for a 5K is manageable. But for the 10K runners, this means they had to run 4 miles with no water in 90 degree heat. This was dangerous and negligent. I’m a casual runner but even I know the start was far too late. 8:30 was the advertised start time for the 5K. The first wave didn’t leave until almost 9am, as the temperature kept rising. My wave did not go out for another 20 mins and the only explanation we got was that the Pasadena PD was holding the waves back in order to clear the roads. By the time my wave went out the first 5K racers were coming to the finish and it was at least 85 degrees. Bad planning. The organizers did not do their homework with the Rose Bowl and Pasadena PD. They seemed more concerned with the “party” atmosphere than the actual race.
By the time the 10K runners started, they’d run out of cups at the one and only water station on the course, and they were forced to cup their hands to get water. There’s no excuse for this. I’ve read some reviews of the Hollywood Half Marathon that Superhero Events put on and they had the same issues with water there.
This company spent a small fortune on the finisher medal and not enough time or money on the actual point of the whole day, the race.
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Submitted by Kim Silva
September 4, 2012
Review
*PRE-RACE – Packet pickup ran really smooth! And they had 80’s music playing in the background with plenty of great photo opps.
*COURSE – Was the typical Rose Bowl loop, I wish it could have been more but there isn’t many good loops in that area. The race organizer indicated that Pasadena PD were holding wave starts to clear room on the course. I heard next year the entire street will be closed to eliminate that problem because it took long for many of us to start so it got hot and people were taking far more water than anticipated.
*POST-RACE – The medal was beautiful! We had a blast in the finish line expo area with a great cover band playing (I don’t remember their name) people were dancing, skating, singing, and they gave away a bunch of cool awards.
*OVERALL – It was a lot of fun! I think an earlier start and fully closed course next year will make this event amazing! I’m looking forward to coming back
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Submitted by Jessica Walsh
September 3, 2012
Review
Pre-Race: The only reason that Pre-race receives a D and not an F is that parking was a breeze, and FREE! It was incredibly easy to get in and out and parking was close to the start/finish so that was nice. Other Pre-Race issues, first packet pick up was only available from 11am – 5pm on Friday the day before. I dont know if i’m the only person who works 9-5 but there was no way that would work for me, or my running buddy joining me on this race. We both had to go to day of pickup, a pain.
There are no signs, no guidance, and the staff working did not have any type of uniform to show you who they were. We were standing around by the start when someone notified us we were in the race line – runners from the 5k started coming in and weaving in between 10k people and 5krs that hadnt started yet. There was no way to hear the announcers and it was 92 degrees at 9:45 so over an hour after start time we finally just lined up and asked those around us if they were doing the 10k. they were so we just started with them. What a MESS. If you are going to start a race in the BLAZING heat an hour+ late, at least have water around for people!!
Course: The course was a bit messy. It was not a closed course, as advertised, so if you wanted to pass someone you had to be prepared to play chicken with on-coming traffic. You had to be stopped so cars could exit the parking lots (completely messing up your groove) and the start/finish were the same place, so you had to weave in and out of other people when trying to get to your second lap. And.. here comes my BIGGEST problem with this race – there was NO WATER on the course – everyone was running to a water fountain on a nearby gold course, ridiculous. First station was just empty, second had water but no cups, third had cups but no water, and that was just it for the 10k. Hopefully no one suffered severe dehydration as temperatures pushed 100 degrees. This is apparently a common problem for “superhero events” as they did the Hollywood 1/2 and ran out of water then too.
Post-race: After a long hot run in the sun without water, we were dehydrated and looking for something more than water to help us bounce back – everything was gone. no snacks, no naked coconut water as promised, everything was just gone – apparently snatched up by fun runners and 5k runners. We were able to find some last bits of water and ration a bit out, but it was ridiculous.
Overall, i am very disappointed that this was my first 10k. I knew going into this that it was a for-profit race, but the lack of guidance or signs on the course, the fact that there were missing all but the mile 1 mile marker, and just the general chaos made this race a complete rip off. I’m so thankful racegrader exists so i can prevent even one person from wasting their money on this event.
oh, and if medals are your thing, this one was heavy and fancy looking. i took one as it was my first race, but my running buddy past citing how much lead heavy material it must contain. I guess the medal is where my money went – the “swag bag” was just a tshirt in a drawstring bag with about 20 pieces of paper advertisements.
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