I ran the Surf City Half Marathon in 2009 as a tuneup for the LA Marathon. This was a great choice for my first Half Marathon! The expo was pretty nice and I met Dane Rauchenberg (52 marathons in 52 weeks) there. The Swag was pretty nice too, including a long sleeve Tech Shirt that I still wear! Packed pickup was very easy as they separated the Half Participants from The Full.
The Start of the race was great and it was easy to get in a good spot for your pace. I don’t remember there being a corral start the year I ran but there weren’t a lot of slow runners clogging up the front either. The course along PCH on Huntington Beach was nice, unfortunately it was very overcast that day and I couldn’t see the ocean but I will say that the conditions were pretty ideal for racing! The course was pretty flat and fast too which I probably took for granted being it was my first half! The Marathoners and Half Marathoners were both running together but split after a certain point, the directions were pretty clear though and I never was in danger of taking the wrong turn. One thing I remember about the 2009 race is that there were clocks for the Marathoners with their splits but none for the Half Marathoners. There were more than enough Water and Aid Stations though.
The finish line was a straight shot down PCH and hard to miss! I hate when races “hide” the finish lines and leaving you to wonder if you got lost somewhere! There was also plenty of food and beer at the finish and of course the highlight of it all was the Surf Board Medal!! That medal is worth it all definitely the most unique medal I have earned!
I would definitely recommend this Half Marathon! You cant beat the location, the fast and flat course, and of course the Surfboard medal!