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Submitted by lbclove
June 3, 2013
Review
This is really one of the best races around. I wish more people would sign up for it.
The course is flat and fast. The view of the L.A River bike path area is nice and the streets of Wrigley are very pretty with lush trees and cute houses it’s a pretty good course.
There is plenty of entertainment and music along the course. This year they had cheerleaders giving out high 5s and doing high kicks along the way. There were 2 water stations which is something you don’t normally see on a 5k course. It is both a 5k and 10k course and if you are fast enough you can do a 15k for a discounted rate. I have complained in the past about them not having timing chips and I thought it was an issue. This year I am here to take my words back and tell you it is NOT an issue. Pacific Coast Race Timing does an excellent job of getting perfect results. My strategy this year since I was trying to sub 30 was stand close to start and go mostly by my Garmin. When I hit the finish line I had a new PR with plenty of time to spare and thought maybe there time and my Garmin time might be off by a few seconds. When I checked official results that night it was a dead on match and I couldn’t be happier about it!
The post race food does not get any better at any event is Southern California. They have fresh cut up fruit ranging from grapes, oranges, bananas and watermelon. Buono’s pizza and pasta is served and they had kids pools filled with flavored or non flavored ice cold water.
The thing I love most about this race is that the streets of Wrigley are very wide and at no point during the race does the course bottle neck or get clogged with walkers. I also loved that this year they had a separate starting time from strollers. Hands down the best race in So Cal!
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Submitted by lbclove
April 6, 2013
Review
Wrigley is one of the best races around. I have never been to one race ever that has post race food as good as Wrigley. They have live entertainment everywhere and the course is very fast and flat. Plenty of water stations and lots of people cheering on the runners. The tech shirt is high quality and I wear mine all the time which says a lot since I have so many. If you are local to Long Beach and looking to join a Running Club come to this race. AREC sponsors it and many of the members run the race. Its a good place to meet like minded people and get involved with some good groups. The only thing I wish Wrigley would do is finely start using timing chips. Its a smaller event which is weird considering how good it it is but not big enough yet to warrant timing chips. They do use a timing company but human error is always a possibility so if I am running for time I actually run this one harder because for me every second counts and I would hate to actually sub 25 and my results say something different. Overall this is the best race in town.
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Submitted by s106300
June 5, 2012
Review
Great local race, lots of neighborhood energy. Good pre and post race support and fun entertainment both along the course and after. Lots of fun things for the little ones to do.
Timing not the best – 5K results very slow to be posted; several mistakes made.
Overall a terrific and easy to attend event. I’ll be back!
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Submitted by phrankyc
April 10, 2012
Review
I ran this race last year for the first time. I was really impressed with how well this event is organized. Top notch race. It’s a fun event for the whole family.
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Submitted by gavini
February 29, 2012
Review
My review is biased since I am the founder and director of this event but let me tell you about all the reasons you should join us in June for this great event!
the course for the 5k & 10k have been improved in 2012- we took out a 180 degree turn that had been on the river trail in both races which will make it faster and more scenic as you will see more of the historic section of the neighborhood. the course remains very flat with a small short hill getting you on and off the LA River trail.
There are several bands on the course including a large jazz band from nearby Cabrillo HS and at least two other bands plus live music at the finish line festival. We have had the Wilson HS cheer team on course in years past and hope to have them back again this year. The community really comes out for the event cheering people on along the course
Finish line boasts the best food outside of the Brea 8k. Buono’s pizza feeds every runner with pizza and pasta plus we always have plenty of give aways from sponsors like Clif Bar, and have had a drink sponsor every year plus coffee.
There are multiple bounce houses for the kids and every kid gets a medal in the 1k.
We encourage stroller runners to start at a seperate time and give out a trophy to the top stroller runner.
The 5k & 10k are spaced apart so that if you can do 10 min miles or better, you can do both races at a discount and we have an award for the best 15k times.
Winners of the 5k and 10k get $100 certificates towards running shoes
At packet pick up the night before, you can pay $5 to take part in the Pizza Pig Out, were pizza serving restaurants from around long beach come out to battle for your votes in the best pizza in Long Beach contest. Your entry fee gets you a vote and all you can eat.
We also organize a training group that meets twice week from March to June for those who just want company on their run or who need some guidance on building up to the 5k or 10k distance.
read some other reviews at http://www.yelp.com/biz/wrigley-river-run-long-beach-2
