Miles For Migraine

the proceeds for this run/​walk event go toward a very good cause, so hubby and i signed up to run the 10k distance. note that you can also choose from 5k or 2mi distances. each course goes through a part of shoreline/​baylands park so you get to take in some beautiful scenery while you run/​walk.
the pros:
–since we did the early bird sign up with a special discount, hubby and i only paid $ 23 each for registration
–mostly flat course, with a few small inclines
–kid, walker and stroller friendly
–easy parking in lot right next to start/​finish area
–staggered start times for each of the 2 events to avoid congestion at the start
–lots of volunteers helping out, directing traffic for parking and helping runners/​walkers stay on course
–local vendors and sponsors on site, i.e. sunnyvale sports basement and road runner sports san carlos
–perfect race day conditions, 57 at the start with overcast skies (which eventually turned sunny)
what you get:
*packet pick-​up @ road runner sports san carlos the friday & saturday before the race
*cotton finisher short sleeve t-​shirt
*lots of post-​race food, bagels and cream cheese, bananas, oranges, vitamin water
the cons:
–no mile markers along the course (for any of the distances) so you never knew how far you had gone or how much further until the finish
–no timers along the course, only at the start/​finish line
–no timing mat at the start, only at the finish, so unless you started at the very front of the pack, you lose some seconds/​minutes (essentially, it’s gun time, not net time)
–for the 10k, the course was way too short. my garmin measured 5.45mi for something that was supposed to be 6.2mi, so it was disappointing. had i known at mile 5 that there was only ½ mile left, i would have kicked harder to the finish line.
–for me personally, having skinny ankles was a disadvantage b/​c the velcro timing strap came undone around mile 2, so i lost 10 – 15 sec turning around, picking it up (a fellow runner was nice enough to pick it up and hand it to me), and re-​strapping it onto my ankle.
definitely a good event and great cause, but i hope they mark the course more accurately the next time they hold this event.