Chinatown Firecracker Run Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

tabby m.
fullerton, CA

  (02-19-2011)

"My first time running this race this year and I ran it with my girlfriend who is new to running.

The packet pickup is in a chaotic alleyway in Chinatown and there were not many sponser booths. I think all I got were a couple of SOY JOYS but found out they were already in my "goody bag". The bag was a cute reusable bag with a Rabbit on it for year of the rabbit. Inside were some tiger balm, a sample of Rice, some more Soy Joy's, and a cotton T-shirt in my chosen size.

They offered a free "Carbo-Load" Lunch if you went to the packet pick up on saturday and it was Chow Mein. The line was really long though because Saturday they had a bike ride so there were a bunch of bike riders getting their free lunch and then there were people who were picking up race packets trying to get their free lunch. I skipped out on the lunch because I didn't want to stand in line for it.

On to the race: I found parking in a all day lot for $5 and walked over to the start line. There were a couple of barricades to seperate the spectators on to the sidewalk but not that many. Most were by the start area and so there were a lot of spectators standing with their runner friends or families in the middle of the street. I didn't mind this because my husband got to take tons of pics of me and friend before the race started.

The porta-potty line was long but come one when is it not long at a race!?!

The start started on time, and off we went! The Course was nice and I didn't seem to mind the hills. I saw people take off up the hill only to stop on the side to keel over... I just took mine nice and slow and wasn't looking for a PR since I was running with my friend and it was her first hilly 10k.

The course was pretty flat in the begining and then slowly increased uphill but after those uphills were pretty nice downhills. There was a water stop at Mile 1 which was after a hill, but they weren't ready! They didn't have cups filled with water out on the tables. We had to wait for 2 volunteers to get one cup and pour it and so on. I didn't mind it since I wasn't going for time, but if I was I would be pretty annoyed.

The view at the top is gorgeous and I regret not jamming a camera or my phone into my ifitness belt.

They did not have mile markers which sucked for people who didn't have a running watch tracking their distance. I came prepared wearing mine and would tell people which mile we were at because no one had a clue. I also didn't know that you could bring your dogs but I saw many on the course.

They provide a event photography company but I only saw 2 along the course. Supposdly there were more but by the time I ran by there was 2 at the most that I saw a long a 6 mile course.

After the finish there is a area for water and after race treats. This is where they annoyed me. They were handing out pineapple juices, and bananas to people who weren't runners! In the middle of china town there were a bunch of other people who were not spectators and who happen to be walking by that alley way and the volunteers were handing out all the after race refreshements. By the time I finished all I got was a bottle of water and a offer of sliced oranges that have been sitting in a box all together with their germy goodness. I felt they were a bit unorganized when it came to the finish.

All in all, it is a decent race but just be prepared to handle business yourself. Bring your own drink, camera, watch, after race treat, and maybe even a first aid kit. I saw a lady eat it in front of me and there were no medic stations nearby. I saw a medic guy on a bike at mile 5 but who knows if he could've helped that poor lady.

The bling was nice, and for $35 it was worth it.

I would recommend running with a friend to make it more fun and for first timers - Make sure you do hill training!

"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

Jennifer T.
Los Angeles, CA

  (06-12-2009)

"Disclaimer: If you like fancy races with lots of swag and big expos... this is not the race for you. The Chinatown Firecracker Run is mostly supported by local businesses and products like imported Tiger Balm.

However, if you are native to LA or love you some culture, this race is AWESOME.

The 10k course is a loop starting in historic downtown Chinatown. After a Dragon Festivital Dance and the Lighting of 100 firecrackers (to celebrate the New Year) the race goes off.

The course is pretty hilly: it goes through Elysian Park, loops Dodger Stadium and ends running ON the 110 Freeway (my *favorite* part).

The local volunteers really get into supporting the runners which also helped make the experience just that much better.

Can't wait to do it again next year!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009