Dr. John L. McDonald JUST GO! 5K and 10K Fun Run/Walk Official Website

Christine A.
San Mateo, CA

  (04-29-2010)

"I run this every year, even though I no longer live in Santa Rosa, second year I've made the trek. In order to make it, I was on the road at 6:40 am. Not to mention, I walked a mile and a half with my dogs prior to getting into my car.

I remember when this was a small run, barely any people, able to park close to the start and when the run started being at the start line. Parking is simply in the business park and then a walk to the start line, about a 1/4 of a mile.

The course is out and back, partial flat and partial inclines, on paved roads. Not hills per ce but good training. It starts at the hangar for Reach and continues out by the airport and farmland. The road isn't closed to traffic, please be mindful and courtious to the locals that live in the area (after all, runners are disturbing their lives not the other way around).

I like listening to the planes and watching them take off (probably why I live on the bay and watch the planes land at SFO). It's also a nice run to look out and see grape vines or empty space. It is Santa Rosa so it's normally dry weeds by this time of year but aside from the planes it's quiet.

Girls on the Run participated in this run for the 2nd year. It's nice to see Girls on the Run involved but it made for a busy start. Most of the girls and their mentors ran the 5K. The 5K started at the same time as the 10K. All the girls snagged the small shirts, no matter I wear my Racevine shirt whenever I run races/fun runs.

If you are working on time, this is not the run to do. This year, they had a clock but it wasn't on. My timing was not my usual. However, they do attempt to give you a time. Also because the 5K and 10K start at the same time and because of the walkers, it was difficult to actually run for the first 1/2 mile.

This run supports a good cause, a scholarship fund, so why not run it and like I mentioned before it's good training if you don't like hills.

The aid stations are spaced pretty well, 3 in total.

If you like men in uniform, the CHP that watch the traffic are good looking. But I digress.

Hopefully next year, they will stagger the start times for the 5K and 10K. But even if they don't, I'll be back to run it again.

If I was a good runner, I'd try to win. Winners get a free helicopter ride!!! (Wouldn't that be fun?!)

"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2010