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Submitted by wifeygonzo
May 29, 2013
Review
Participated in RAGNAR So Cal two years in a row now. I LOVE RAGNAR! Such a fun challenge and a great experience to share with your team mates and other teams. Enjoyed other teams names, van decorations, costumes, etc. Sleeping in the van, not being able to shower are not highlights of this event, but its only for one day, so no big deal.
Course descriptions listed “easy” or “hard” do not seem to be accurate. Short runs are listed as “easy” but tend to include steep inclines. Long runs are listed as “hard” but have flat or downhill routes.
Night running isn’t bad at all. Runners are required to wear reflective vests, head lamps, and flashing LED lights on their backs.
Parking at major exchanges can be a bit difficult due to the large number of vans on site at one time.
These events have created memories of a life-time! Awesome medals, great post race party for runners & families to attend. Free pizza to the runners. Awesome shirts, great race apparel & misc. items for sale. Looking forward to next year.
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Submitted by CWong
December 11, 2012
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Ragnar races are amazing to do. The SoCal one is absolutely beautiful … except for leg 1, van 2. It’s HOT HOT HOT and the legs are long long long. I have done 6 Ragnar races and 2 Odyssey races, and this is the first relay to hit 120 degrees heat index. You absolutely need van support in the first legs, as the directions say there are water stations but there are not. I did see runners taken away by ambulence on this exchange, so be careful and make sure your team knows where you are at all times.
Be very careful to note course changes, as I’ve had incorrect directions in two different Ragnar races. They do send text message warnings to the team captains, but many runners on course either do not have their phone or are in a no reception area.
Other than that – the race is insanely beautiful and the stops are very well organized by the volunteers. As long as your team is organized and aware at all times, the Ragnar races are an absolute blast!
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Submitted by alanglen49
April 28, 2012
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This was my first Ragnar and second for most of my teammates so they prepared me menatlly and kept me honest with my training. We had a 0930 start and since we’re all from San Diego, we HAD to take the Orange County traffic in consideration on a Friday morning, but luckily we hit no such thing and made it up there in 90 minutes. We rode in a Ford Expedition and it was cramped with everyone’s gear but we did save up on the van rental. The Ragnar team was very efficient in providing all safety information and explaining the RAGMAG to everybody. A guy from our team downloaded the RAGMAG on his IPAD and this helped out immensely in the evening, hopefully RAGNAR makes an app to provide pinpoint directions to every checkpoint.
The course was great and all checkpoints had enough parking to fit vans while volunteers directed traffic very well. We brought extra toilet paper but luckily all port-o-potties were stocked well and there were enough at every checkpoint for minimal waiting. My only complaint I do have is that some water stations never appeared like they showed in the course map, but luckily we provided van support when needed.
This is a bucket list event that everyone should do at least once in their life. I’m hooked and am already training for the Vegas Ragnar. Believe me we’re gonna kick ass with a goal of over 400 kills this time around. VEGAS HERE WE COME!!!!
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Submitted by E. Greene
April 23, 2012
Review
As you read previously, Ragnar SoCal is a race with either 12 or 6 team members leapfrogging each other a distance of 203.5 miles from Huntington Beach to Coronado. It was my first Ragnar experience and I love a new challenge so I was all for running at night, going on lack of sleep, and just having an adventure with friends. The volunteers were wonderful (each team must provide 3 of their own volunteers to help or spend $120 per volunteer that benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) – either giving water, directing you into parking, holding up traffic and shouting out bib numbers to get you ready for your team member.
I do understand there were some issues with signs. We witnessed one blow over and watched as a runner righted it back up. At the Captain’s meeting, we were warned that sometimes it happens and sometimes residents who are not too happy with runners coming through their neighborhood at the wee hours of the morning (or kids with nothing better to do) may move the signs. I made sure I knew the legs I was running and wrote everything down on my arm. Some of my team members carried the maps.
With all the logistics that went into the race, it could have been a nightmare, but it ran super smoothly. Kudos to Ragnar for a job well done.
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Submitted by Thanh Quan
April 22, 2012
Review
The overall experience of running Ragnar was amazing. My team ran our hearts out with the intention of placing in the top 3. It was unfortunate that we lost our runner at the 2nd to the last final leg. The course had no marking at a critical junction and I heard that over 70 runners were lost at that juncture. With those kind of numbers, I have to fault the race organizers. Just that one snafu negated over 20 hrs of hard work and sleep deprivation by our runners.
Regarding pre-race, I found it really odd that Krispy Kreme was present at Exchange 6 handing out boxes of donuts. I was not surprised that most teams passed up their tent. I love their donuts but I’m not going to ruin my training right before the race. With the entry fees per team being over $1200, you would think that small items like hand off batons would be well stocked for each team. There were teams running without batons and were slapping hands at the exchange point. Other teams were shorted other racing supplies as well. When we finished, we were given an inadequate number of shirts and had to go back to them to resolve the issue. I have to say this is the most stingy race I’ve participated in.
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Submitted by eddied26.2
April 3, 2012
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I ran the So Cal Ragnar Relay in 2010 and all I have to say about it is, it is the most fun I’ve had at a running event EVER!! The race was pretty well organized although there were a couple of changes to the course leading up to the race but those changes proved to be pretty minor in the grand scale of things!
For those who have not run Ragnar the idea is a team of 12 with 2 vans. 6 runners per van take turns running legs of the relay race. each runner runs 3 legs each for a total of 36 legs and 200 total miles! Cheering on your fellow teammates is as fun as running the course yourself! Each team picks a theme with costumes and you can even decorate your van to fit the team theme! In between the driving and running you attempt to get some sleep when the second van takes over, which can be another challenge!!
This race is a great way to build camaraderie with your friends and have fun running! I highly recommend this event!
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Submitted by Derek Abbey
February 8, 2012
Review
I was anxious about this race because I had not run it previously and was concerned about the logistics of it. I ended up having a blast. It was one of the best organized races I have been a part of. Considering the size of the race and the number of people running it, I thought it was run very well. Of the 36 exchanges there was a slow in traffic at #18 but not enough to for it to be a real factor in the race. Handing out toilet paper was smart. They had a great party at the end with good food and drink. Great route. Overall I loved it and want to try more of their routes. My team also ran Napa, but scheduling did not allow me to attend. Get a team and have fun.
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Submitted by The Bear
December 28, 2011
Review
I have done two of these. Las Vegas and last years HB to Carlsbad. These races are absolutly fun for the avid runner. Do not be fooled by the short distances. You should do this with people that actually run. It gets kind of tough on the second and third run.
Basically you split into two groups of six people and relay your way down to Carlsbad from Huntington. The use of vans is highly recommended. You do not want to cram yourself into a small car after running.
Running at night is interesting. You should have some idea of where you are going to run. The course is pretty well marked. Additionally, If you do a good job of calculating your teams expected time, you will be with the pack of other runners. So, good calculations are key. It sucks being at the back and they are clearing the course right behind your team.
During your breaks you should get sleep. Bring a good sleeping bag and pillow. You will most likely be sleeping on the ground. Sleep and good food is key to enjoying the journey. Luckily, I have no issues sleeping just about anywhere. So, I got plenty of sleep.
Overall it is a really fun. You get to run in places that you would normally not run. Some of the runs are very challenging. I always have a great time doing these, but I love to run. It is quite the adventure. You should try one. I am hooked.
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