Pillar Point Run Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Julianne P.
San Francisco Bay Area, CA

  (03-26-2010)

"This is a small race that benefits the community's Coastside Child Development Center. The course is an out-and-back along the coastal trail, and it's quite lovely. There are a few, short segments where you run along the road, otherwise you'll only be sharing the trail with early-morning pedestrians and bikes (of which there are few). No porta potties, but there are bathrooms at the state parks along the route, so plenty of potential bio-break stops. The 10K route had 2 aid stations with water, and if I remember correctly, one had gels of some sort. There's also a family run for the kids, which stays in the harbor area.

The event is very small scale, so while the event volunteers were great, the pre- and post-race organizers may want to consider posting the results online at Active.com after the race (they used it for registrations) and adding more details about the race logistics (course maps, parking, starting location--FYI, if it's at the same location next year, the starting line is next to the harbormaster's office, and there is plenty of parking. There's even a bike rack outside of Princeton Seafood.) The center's web link does not provide any information about the race; here's the link to the Active.com page: http://www.active.com/running/half-moon-bay-ca/pillar-point- run-to-benefit-coastside-child-development-center-2009-qm852

Regarding the "Nitty Gritty Details": There were t-shirts and Metromint bags, plus lots of Metromint waters. (Yum!) Post race goodies also included Odwalla bars and the usual oranges & bananas. "No" ratings for official event photography and expo were because they had none, not because of poor quality.

Is this race good for first-timers? Hmmm. Depends on the first-timer. If you're a 5-6 mph runner who is intimidated by a fast pack, then this might not be the race for you. If you like a lot of people on the course, it's probably not right for you either. Otherwise, it's a fast, flat course with lots of scenery. And lots of great eateries around the race site for afterward, too. (I enjoyed some gelato at Mezza Luna Cafe myself. ;-9) "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009