City of Laguna Hills Memorial Half Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

southbaygirl .
San Pedro, CA

  (06-07-2010)

"What a way to spend a holiday-running a Half Marathon. We parked at the Start line, a mall, so there was plenty of parking! But I think more people signed up for this race than the organizers were expecting because they definitely needed more porta potties-but lets face the facts, what\'s new!!

The race started on time!! I found out that the first 8 miles of the race is basically down hill or relatively flat. Which is awesome. You can be on point for a PR.

This race starts on the streets and eventually you run into Wood canyon. It was really beautiful, and I would of loved it more, if the sun hadn\'t been out and heating us up. Those miles 7-9.5 are out in the dirt trails and there is no shade!! And it got a bit toasty in the canyon!

Once we came out of the canyon, we had an uphill to mile 9. It wasn\'t horrific-but it felt worse for me because the sun was beating down on me!

Once we crested that hill, we were running on a bike path, which was open to the public by the way. There was some trees and relatively flat.

Right before the finish, literally right before, there is a big hill-and the photographer was sitting right there! This would have been fine for me any other day, but today I was feeling BAD! I had had an asthma attack around mile 11.7 and all i wanted to do was finish! And the last think I needed was a hill at the finish!

For the first time ever, I headed to the medical tent after crossing the finish line! I had another asthma attack right after I crossed the finish line-so I was crying and gasping for air when I walked into the medical tent.

The medics in the medical tent were wonderful! They gave me oxygen BUT DO NOT have inhalers! So don\'t be stupid like me and leave your inhaler!!!

Overall, I would have run a good time-helps that the first 8 miles are downhill or flat-but because of the heat, sun, humidity and I\'m sure whatever was blooming in the canyon the race ended on a very bad note for me!

I did hear they ran out of water and food for the finishers that were coming in around 2:30! That sucks!!! that cant happen!!

Will i run it again. yes but not if it\'s going to be warm!

There is BEER at the finish!! You can prepay when you register for 2 or 4 beers!! And then there is a shuttle back to the mall. Beer is always a benefit of a race!

"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Rainy N.
Sierra Madre, CA

  (05-31-2009)

"Over all this race was well organized and fun. I would run it again, and I give it 4.5 stars over all.

What I thought was good:
1. Parking was easy to find and plentiful
2. The packet pick up was easy to navigate through
3. The was water every 2-3 miles and at least 3 bathroom stops
4. The staff was friendly
5. The course was nice with lots of hills. I train daily with a variation of hills so I thought I was prepared, but this course challenged me toward the end.
6. The weather was PERFECT!
7. The t-shirt and pint glass were a great bonus, and both were good quality.
8. The entry fee was reasonable.
9. The crowd was a pretty good mix of experienced runners, beginners, and everyone in between. I didn't feel completely out of place...lol
10. Transportation back to the parking lots was plentiful and the wait was only a few minutes.

What I think could have been a better:
1. The water at the end could have been more easily accessible.
2. The walk to the buses that took us to our cars was up hill and kind of far.
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Julie D.
Irvine, CA

  (05-28-2009)

"This was the 11th annual race. I've run this race several times, at least 5, I think.

It is a very well organized race with a decent price. The packet pick-up was easy and smooth.

Parking is very easy to find, and close to the race start. It was a timing chip race which I love.

The course is decent, with the right variety of hills, long stretches of flat land, and everything in between.

It was smooth and fast. The weather is always perfect, not too hot, not too cold.

The only thing that irritated me, and it seems to be a major issue lately at races...you had to search for the water at the end. They didn't have water right when you finished. You had to get through the crowd and stand in line for water. That gets really frustrating. That is why I'm giving them 4 stars instead of 5."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009