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Submitted by jgreenmaki
August 26, 2013
Review
The costume party was. a. blast. I signed up with a deal and was so glad I did!
Packet pick up was simple, nothing crazy but easy.
Parking was SUPER easy. It was really nice not to be dropped off at a start line because of limited parking. Traffic getting in wasn’t bad either.
The best part of the race was the costumes! There were so many creative people! I really liked the out and back course because it gave everyone a chance to see the amazing things people had come up with. I HATED the parts looping around the parking lot but the organizers have since promised to adjust that the best they can. I trust them! The bands along the way were really cool and very involved with the runners. Good job all. Spectators were able to access pretty much anywhere along the course and they did.
The post race party was a riot. There was a great DJ (dressed as MC Hammer) and the organizer was there having a great time and meeting everyone. People were dancing and laughing and just having a good time. The news was even there. It was a great way to start a day.
This race is about having fun. The medal is off the wall awesome (and GIGANTIC) and it just emphasizes how crazy and fun this race was. Its easy to forgive the terrible course when it was so much fun anyway! Get your friends, get your costumes, and run this race!
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Submitted by RaceGrader
July 10, 2013
Review
This is a new race, so I am going to cut it a little slack.
Pros:
1. Plenty of water/Gatorade stations- This is a given, but I recently did a half that’s been around for 5 years and they ran out of water at station two, so, I appreciate when that doesn’t happen.
2. Parking- I have been to races at Qualcomm before and you’d swear you were going to a football game with all the traffic. I had no problem getting in or out. And after a race, this runner wants to get to the shower ASAP, not sit in a never ending line of cars.
3. Out and Back Course- I appreciate an out and back race because I don’t have to deal with a shuttle full of sweaty runners (I include myself in that category!). This was also great because you got to pass everyone on the way back and see their costumes. At one point I saw a gingerbread man killing it after the turn around, which was inspiring. I mean, if he could do it, why was I slagging?
4. On time Start- Many races that have been around for years can’t manage that, and that will drive a runner crazy. Start on time, people! I don’t want to stand around for an extra 45 minutes! I am going to be running 13.1 miles! Isn’t that enough suffering?
Sorry, got a little carried away, there.
Anyway, now for some areas of improvement:
1. Six miles of parking lot. It’s not so bad to run in the lot at the beginning, but at the end when I am tired, it is tough to zig-zag endlessly through a parking lot… So much parking lot. So, so much parking lot. It was like the Never Ending Story… But with a parking lot.
2. Mile Markers- It took me awhile to figure out that the weird flags were mile markers, especially because the mile number was tiny… and it’s hard to read small numbers with sweat in my eyes. And the flags either disappeared after mile 10. Or maybe someone stole them. I also saw a lot of 5k-ers wandering around aimlessly, so the turn for the 5K wasn’t well marked.
3. Better sound for the emcee. I was at the front and I couldn’t hear a thing. But from what I could tell by his gestures, he was awesome.
4. Giveaway- A trucker hat instead of a t-shirt is a no. Runners prefer tech tees, but even a cheap, cotton t-shirt would have been better. It’s rare that anyone looks good in a trucker hat. So, if you’re ever a race coordinator and you ask, “Hey, should we give racers a trucker hat instead of a tee?” That answer is a “no.” It’s an emphatic no.
In the end, I got a massive medal and had some laughs some amazing costumes. It’s unlikely that I would run it again, but it was a good first try for the coordinators, and if you’re into running in a costume, I say give it a try next year.
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Submitted by RaceGrader
July 10, 2013
Review
The Costume Run was a fun idea but holding the race in July meant there would be limited costume commitment from some runners. The costumes we saw were funny but at times not very creative – I guess there was a sale on Wonder Woman and Batman shirts. The packet pickup was easy at Road Runner Sports. The swag bag was non-existent (a hat and nothing more) Morning of the event, parking was a piece of cake and for a change, the stadium didn’t even charge us! The biggest issues was limited porta-potties (and NO toilet paper). There were at least 100 people still waiting to use the dozen bathrooms when the race started. For a race of 2500, that’s not nearly enough! We were told 15 minutes after start (while still waiting in line) that they were going to close the starting line so we had no choice but to rush out and get started. The bathrooms on the course were extremely limited as well. The course itself was great once you got out of the stadium but Friars Road has a tilt to it that’s not runner-friendly if you have weak ankles or knees. Running inside the stadium was a bit of a mess. The parking lot is broken and uneven and I’m sure there were a number of twisted ankles and missteps. Race Guards and medical aid were abundant. Water stations were plentiful and the volunteers were great! Inside the stadium, the cones marking the course weren’t as consistent as they could have been and the overall course showed as a 12.8 by my Garmin. The post-race party was cute but small. The medals were huge and were a big draw for this event. I’m glad I went and I like the medal but this isn’t a race I’ll need to do again. One and done.
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Submitted by RaceGrader
July 10, 2013
Review
Simply the best time you could have while running 13.1 miles.
After not having ANY fun running the San Francisco Marathon a few weeks ago I was looking forward to having a fun race, not worrying about PR’s or proving anything. Costume Party Run was exactly what the doctor ordered.
Pre-Race: Woke up at 1:30am to make my way from home to the start. Picked up my packet the morning of. $10 to pick up race day vs. the $25 that most races charge. That was nice. Packet pick-up was easy. It sounded like they blew a fuse about 30 minutes prior to the race starting but that didn’t delay things AT ALL. Race started at exactly 6am.
The Course: Only about 2300 running the race so no corrals which was fine. The course was wide enough and this wasn’t an issue at all. There was a lot of running around the parking lot but this didn’t bother me too much. There were 2 or 3 live bands, at least 2 DJ’s so just when you stopped hearing one entertainer the next one was kicking in. Even at the end of the race passing by the same bands, they were still playing and having a great time. Some rolling hills on Friars road which was fine. In this kind of race it’s nice to have the loop course so you can see everybody’s costume.
Post Race: Had the best time. Normally I’m one to leave shortly after a race and make my way home. But I wasn’t ready to spend another 3 hours in the car right away. So glad I didn’t. The DJ was great, the band “Past Action Hero’s” was playing some of my favorite 80’s songs and even busted out some “Baby Got Back”. Had a great time talking with friends, having some fun. That’s what it’s all about.
Overall: This race was so fun. I can only see it growing in years to come and the costumes getting even more awesome!!!
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Submitted by RaceGrader
July 10, 2013
Review
It was awesome to see people out there in costumes just having a great time. The start line was electric with peoples energy and this event was small enough to say “Hi” to all your friends. I am not a fan of out and back courses but in that case it worked. I was able to cheer friends on and get cheered on as pasted each other several times. The bands were also having a great time, one group on Friars road were playing with string and had to stop to watch. The costumes were fun and entertaining.
The after Party was fun with DJ and 80’s band. The set was good time with them playing many of the old 80’s songs such as Jesse’s Girl. I had a great time and will be joining them again!
Goofy Running!
Overall
Pre-race
Course
Post-race
Submitted by RaceGrader
July 10, 2013
Review
It was awesome to see people out there in costumes just having a great time. The start line was electric with peoples energy and this event was small enough to say “Hi” to all your friends. I am not a fan of out and back courses but in that case it worked. I was able to cheer friends on and get cheered on as pasted each other several times. The bands were also having a great time, one group on Friars road were playing with string and had to stop to watch. The costumes were fun and entertaining.
The after Party was fun with DJ and 80’s band. The set was good time with them playing many of the old 80’s songs such as Jesse’s Girl. I had a great time and will be joining them again!
Goofy Running!