5/5 Stars

It was GREAT!

It was my first half marathon!

Rough on your knees and ankles! But beautiful!

5/5 Stars

Love the ride up the canyon with all so excited to race.
The view the view the view.
The helpful aid stations
The view the view the view!

NO.

Beautiful view....enough uphill to keep it interesting.
Small hill at the end this year was killer :-)

I have ran all my life...
Only suggestion would be include plenty of hills to train for this race..

Enjoyed dinner at Black Angus and enjoyable, restful night at Courtyard by Marriott

5/5 Stars

It was amazing! Well organised. Gorgeous views. Absolutely loved it!

yes. It was my first full marathon I wanted under 5 hours. I got 4:54 so I was delighted.

stunning. It is hard on the legs with the slanted roads (not the downhill but the uneven road surface). A few heat lamps at the top would have been nice as well. We were freezing when we started and then I got a sunburn by the bottom haha

I followed Hal Higdon's marathon program to a T. It worked very well! I felt very well prepared.

bring layers for the start and hand warmers.

We used to live in Orange County and just moved to San Fran a month before the race. We didn't do many tourist things as I just flew in for the event.

5/5 Stars

Great

No but next year I will

Beautiful

Not much training

Yes yes

Too cold but you give us enough support

4/5 Stars

Parking was very easy; the only traffic jam was actually getting into the parking lot. Buses were there ready to go. Volunteers seemed well informed.

Yes! My goal is always to finish a half under 3 hours. This half was my best, my time was 2:36! I do not participate in full marathons any more.

I liked the course until the end. The last street along the tracks was a sideways uphill. Not enjoyable at the end of the run.

I run with a running club and am always in training. Fortunately, my running club is in Chino Hills and running hills is part of my training. I usually average running about 10 -15 miles weekly.

Train for hills, going up and down. Don't think running downhill works in a runner's favor. The long pounding on legs does take a toll on quads & shins. Dress in layers and use the throw away gloves.

Eating tacos, being able to lie on the grass and enjoy a good stretch. I travelled from the Corona area.

5/5 Stars

The organization was like clockwork - from collection the previous evening to leaving the parking lot after the race, everything was exactly as it was supposed to be - even the weather! The buses left on time for the start of the half. All of the advertising was correct - it was chilly hanging around waiting to start, but there was a good community vibe and everyone was excited before the race - watching the sky morph from dark to bright sunshine. It took a mile or so for my feet to thaw but once they did, and by then the sun was up, charging downhill at top speed was a real blast. All of the aid stations were ready to hand out drinks. Taking the last half mile or so, down between the palms and then turning the last corner with cheering spectators lining both sides was huge - could not do anything but sprint for the line with that support! All in all every aspect was memorable, but the course itself, winding down through the hills in the bright sunshine, having full use of the flat smooth surface was fantastic! Thanks!!

Yes - beat my best by over four minutes!

Winding, hilly, some great downhill stretches with a few uphill challenges thrown in.

I routinely train for marathons and love to integrate half marathons into my program. Have been following the Hanson method for a year or so, but having moved recently to the foothills area am really benefitting from getting a lot more hill work - this was useful on the Canyon course.

You may have to wait up to a couple of ours at the start (half marathon). The organizers warn you in advance that it will be cold waiting - they are not kidding! You will need the blanket, but also you will need to layer up - I regretted not having a beanie. Long as you can before dropping your bag! You will warm up quickly once the race starts and the bags get to the finish in time to meet you.

5/5 Stars

Very well organized race...would run this again

Nope!

1/2 marathon hilly and slanted road makes for sore legs!

Solid 1/2 training schedule-more downhill training would have helped

Run your own race...

4/5 Stars

Great Course and Finish Line experience. Enjoyed the course and scenery. only negative was the Very early cold start and no spare blankets.

Yes 3 minutes better than last year's best.

winding angled roads through mountain scenery. A few inclines but mainly downhill.

alternating distance runs with short faster runs. Taking days off to recover from longer workouts.

Get well wrapped up for the cold staging area at the start. and enjoy the course. Try to do some hill training as it you will feel it in your thighs rather than your calfs.

5/5 Stars

Definitely the finish line. That was the most amazing feeling, there aren't words that can adequately describe finishing your fist marathon, crossing over the finish line with your whole family there to cheer you on and congratulate you. It was super fun to run it with my husband! It was his first marathon too!

I PR'd but it was my first race, so whatever I ran, I would PR :) I didn't qualify for Boston, but I plan on running this again in hopes to qualify.

Beautiful scenery, primarily downhill, second half of the marathon was much harder than the first half because of the hills, but it was good.

My training was good except I was sick and traveling for about a month and a half and that put me back a lot. If I were to give anyone advice, I would say consistency is the biggest thing you should focus on.

Be consistent with training! Do one mile at a time. Tell yourself you can do this, because you can. Be aware of clothes you chafe in, and don't wear anything you didn't train in (shoes included). On the course, save energy for the second half and try to be consistent with your pace. The week before, carb load and drink 7-8 water bottles a day. Morning of, eat a bagel with turkey and cheese, almonds, and a banana and sip on water.

We traveled from Laguna Niguel. We drove the course before we ran it so we were mentally prepared for the hills when they came.

4/5 Stars

I could feel the host caring the runners.

NO! I didn't prepare for this race. I run the Boston this year.

Course is good to make PR?

I should do downhill training.

Enjoy this course. There are not many spectators

Orange county, CA