OC Fair 5K
Aug. 28th, 2013 10:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
runthiswayOverview: The OC Fair 5K is a fun run through the fairgrounds.
When: August 4, 2013.
Where: The O.C. Fair, located in Costa Mesa, Orange County.
Why: I don't think this race benefitted anyone but the O.C. Fair or the O.C. Marathon. I could be wrong, though.
Course access: It's Orange County, and mass transit isn't really their bag. The transit that is provided for the fair doesn't run in the mornings, either. While a few OCTA buses run through the area, for the most part, if you didn't have a car, have a friend with a car or stay in the area, you were SOL with this one.
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Number of Participants: 1676 recorded finishers.
Pre-race: Packet pickup was available on race morning, and was quick and painless. More bathrooms for the runners would have been nice - not all of the bathrooms were unlocked.
Runners: More serious runners than I anticipated, but a lot of folks who were truly there for a fun run.
Course: The course started in the parking lot, but most of the race took place inside the OC Fair. It's a very different experience to see the fair when it's completely deserted. The highlights of the race were several "Detours to Fun." Runners could play two midway games, go on the giant EuroSlide and take a photo onstage at the Pacific Amphitheater - all for free.
There was a 1:30 time limit on the course, which seems like a lot - but when you're stopping for 15 - 30 minutes for each detour (there wasn't any line for the EuroSlide; there was a VERY long one for the Pacific Amphitheater) that adds up. Late runners discovered that there wasn't any water for them at the finish line.
Chip Timing: Yes, with a shoe tag that was yours to keep.
Shirt: A very soft, distressed blue t-shirt without any advertising logos. I didn't like the cartoon on the back that slammed overweight people, which will mean that this otherwise lovely shirt will be relegated to the pajama drawer unless I can find a way to doctor it out. No, it's not about being "politically correct." It's about having respect for ALL people, including those who are heavy.
Swag: A very nice, very heavy medal on a beautiful satin ribbon. The goodie bag contained a free ticket to the O.C. Fair, some samples of sports gels and Advil, and a lot of snacks. I was very excited that several of the snacks were soy-free, so I could actually eat them.
Expo: Small, but included some nice stuff, like free Hubert's Lemonade.
Would I Run this Race Again? Sure.
When: August 4, 2013.
Where: The O.C. Fair, located in Costa Mesa, Orange County.
Why: I don't think this race benefitted anyone but the O.C. Fair or the O.C. Marathon. I could be wrong, though.
Course access: It's Orange County, and mass transit isn't really their bag. The transit that is provided for the fair doesn't run in the mornings, either. While a few OCTA buses run through the area, for the most part, if you didn't have a car, have a friend with a car or stay in the area, you were SOL with this one.
_________
Number of Participants: 1676 recorded finishers.
Pre-race: Packet pickup was available on race morning, and was quick and painless. More bathrooms for the runners would have been nice - not all of the bathrooms were unlocked.
Runners: More serious runners than I anticipated, but a lot of folks who were truly there for a fun run.
Course: The course started in the parking lot, but most of the race took place inside the OC Fair. It's a very different experience to see the fair when it's completely deserted. The highlights of the race were several "Detours to Fun." Runners could play two midway games, go on the giant EuroSlide and take a photo onstage at the Pacific Amphitheater - all for free.
There was a 1:30 time limit on the course, which seems like a lot - but when you're stopping for 15 - 30 minutes for each detour (there wasn't any line for the EuroSlide; there was a VERY long one for the Pacific Amphitheater) that adds up. Late runners discovered that there wasn't any water for them at the finish line.
Chip Timing: Yes, with a shoe tag that was yours to keep.
Shirt: A very soft, distressed blue t-shirt without any advertising logos. I didn't like the cartoon on the back that slammed overweight people, which will mean that this otherwise lovely shirt will be relegated to the pajama drawer unless I can find a way to doctor it out. No, it's not about being "politically correct." It's about having respect for ALL people, including those who are heavy.
Swag: A very nice, very heavy medal on a beautiful satin ribbon. The goodie bag contained a free ticket to the O.C. Fair, some samples of sports gels and Advil, and a lot of snacks. I was very excited that several of the snacks were soy-free, so I could actually eat them.
Expo: Small, but included some nice stuff, like free Hubert's Lemonade.
Would I Run this Race Again? Sure.