Mermaid Run Mountain View Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Tanya R.
San Jose, CA

  (10-21-2010)

"This was my "A" half marathon in 2010 - was shooting for a new PR, which I achieved. The course is a flat, out and back that is mostly on a gravel fireroad (the beginning portion is paved and would be paved for those doing the 5K). Due to the nature of the course, the only crowd support is at the start/finish line. Also the remote location means that there isn't a lot to do for any family/friends who might be waiting for you at the start/finish. Since I was very focused on my time goal, I couldn't tell you if the course was scenic or not. LOL

The race started late as many participants waited to pick up their packets on race morning. (Early packet pickup was at a local sports retailer, with somewhat limited hours.) I would recommend early packet pickup because you get an in-store discount when doing it, and it makes for a less hectic start to race day.

On race morning, the speakers were set up facing away from the place where runners were lined up (behind the start line), so many of us didn't understand that the start had been delayed because we couldn't hear the emcee making those announcements. :)

The post-race food was yummy - liked the breakfast food, and it was fun to watch the awards being given away. The t-shirt is VERY cute (I wear it all the time), and the "medal" is a very cute necklace that can be worn all the time, too.

The atmosphere was friendly and fun, so if you enjoy the lower key events and aren't looking for crowds to cheer you on, this is a fun event to run."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Christine A.
Redwood City, CA

  (04-29-2010)

"This was recommended by a running gal who has done the Mermaid Tri.

It was nice to be able to pick up race schwag at Sports Basement the night before. Worked late so I wasn\'t in the mood to shop but really should have.

Easy to find, park at the ampitheatre.

Unfortunately, the race was pushed back by 15 minutes. Had to laugh because since it\'s the \"Mermaid\" and primarily women...who was late? Ha ha ha...I immediately thought of that bumper sticker, \"Always late but worth the wait\"

Ok moving on from my sick sense of humour.

Nice flat course, starts at the amphitheatre and along the bay, meeting the Palo Alto Baylands. I know the course, ran the Baylands at the New Year\'s Day run and have subsequently taken Diva there and run with her.

The volunteers were great, it seemed that everyone was cheering.

Since I\'ve been working on mileage, my speed has decreased but I tried my best, after all, it\'s a flat course.

Necklace at the end, not quite a medal but it\'s in a little bag so it\'s still hanging with the other medals.

There was too long a line at the end to get a slice of orange. It was nice if you wanted breakfast, we saw plates with pancakes. However, I can\'t really \'eat\' after a run, need to rest a bit, but a section of an orange would have been nice.

On a side note, I was wearing my Racevine shirt. Before the run started, another runner noticed my shirt and said she won after posting a review on Racevine.

"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

naomi n.
san mateo, CA

  (04-18-2010)

"Course: It was a mix of road and gravel/trail which I liked. But parts of it were narrow. It was an out & back course and they started the 5K's (largest group of participants) before the 10K. So while the 10K'ers were going out, the 5K'ers were heading back and it got tight on the narrow parts of the course.

Crowd: The crowd was pretty lame. As I was sprinting towards the Finish Line, it was lined by people who just sat there looking at me. No cheering or enthusiasm whatsoever.

Organization: They always do a good job. Great pre-race communications, great web site. I rated it a 4 because they started late.

Overall: I love the Mermaid races and plan on participating in them regularly."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Lorna S.
Sunnyvale, CA

  (03-23-2010)

"Excellent race. Very friendly organization. Very supportive to all levels of runners and walkers. This race is a women's only event. The weather was a huge factor since it was very windy and even had occasional sleet. (Does not happen often in the Bay Area.) Thusly the organizers moved a month later in 2010 in hopes of insuring good weather. The finisher charm is lovely and the motto of 'find your happy pace' is wonderful since it does not emphasize speed. As they say everyone is a runner it is simply a matter of finding your pace. :-)"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Linda D. M.
Sunnyvale, CA

  (09-16-2009)

"The run was fun , the weather was horrid but after the run i was smiling!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009