Awesome 80s Run

Golden Gate park was overrun with a sea of neon colors, side ponytails, and legwarmers as runners came out to celebrate and share their love of the 80s. This run brought back my childhood as I ran alongside with others dressed as some my favorite 80s TV show characters. This year, the 5k run was based on the Star Wars theme.
The website wasn’t clear if race day packet pick up was available so I ended up driving all the way out to Sports Basement Presidio. UGH. ‘80s run participants were given free beer for picking up race packets in store. The packet included an ‘80s run cotton t-​shirt, package of corn cakes, race number/​timing chip and several coupons.
We parked in the De Young Museum garage since it’s the closest parking to the race. Parking cost $ 20 for 3 hours and street parking is available, but fills up quickly. A live ‘80s Cover band played classics during our 15 minute stretching period by doing the electric slide! Strollers are allowed during the run — YAY!
The costumes were definitely creative and humorous. Among my favorites were the Snorks, KISS group, Viewfinder, the Claw game and Mr. Myagi. Pictures with Chewbacca and a Stormtrooper were available next to the stage. The best part of the run was taking pictures with fellow runners and their costumes! Team Superhero photographers also went around a snapped a few shots of the race.
The run itself was fun although some of the hills had me sweatin’. I overheard a few people upset because the only water station was available at the end. To get the coveted Darth Vader medal, you have to turn in your timing chip. Several vendors went around to hand out Noosa Yogurt, Hint water drinks and after race refreshments.

One of my favorite runs to participate in. Can’t wait to see what theme is in store for next year.

Definitely a fun race with lots of fun people and some seriously fun costumes.
Good Stuff: The course, through Golden Gate Park, is beautiful. A bit hilly at times, but manageable. It was easy to get in and out of the event and we arrived an hour before the start time and had no problem finding free street parking. It was also not too congested at the start and, although they didn’t do waves, they kept it slowly moving through. Nice shirts and medals.
The Not-​So-​Good Stuff: There were a few narrow spots along the route and apparently a lot of people don’t understand the concept of «slower people on the right, faster people on the left.» Seriously. Stop walking four-​wide. More importantly, what was with the lack of water stations?! And by «lack» I mean there were none. Zero. When we got to the end, they were handing out water bottles but is was a flavored kind… tasted good but I would have preferred plain water.

I know that races that are more of «fun runs» are not generally as organized. And I completely understand that as the first time to be hosted in SF, there might have been a few glitches. But seriously — the ENTIRE race was poorly organized and there was NO SUPPORT on the field at all.
If I were you, I would save my money for the Color Run. Awesome support and atittude by staff and volunteers, as well as participants.

This race definitely has some room for improvement as far as how it was organized but overall it was a fun race and a good experience that I would recommend!
Pros:
— It’s just an awesome event. The energy (aside from the complainers) was fun and exciting. You can tell people are there not only to race but have a good time. From the moment you walk into the park you feel like you’re flashing back to some funky 80s party that happens to have a run thrown in.
— The DJ really pumped the crowd up and played some great flashback music
— Almost all runners are in costumes, and it ranges from the inventive to the just plain kinky! It makes for an even better atmosphere to see so many people actually into the theme
— Nice scenic course through Golden Gate Park. Be prepared for some hills though
— Lots of parking (paid and free). We opted for paid and spent $ 15 for 3 hours.
— Awesome swag. Considering what you pay for your entry fee ($ 45 — $ 55), this race gives you a decent shirt, tote bag and one of the best medals I’ve ever gotten for a race. I’ve done my share of races and paid more for events that don’t even give a medal or bag
— Decent booths with some freebies, although mostly drinks. I didn’t get a chance to see everything but I know they were giving samples of 5 hour energy drink and Coconut Water. For people looking for MORE freebies, I think you have to keep in mind this is only a 5k /​10k, not a freaking marathon: P
Cons:
— Same day packet pick up was a mess! This is typical of most races and the event organizers did give 2 days to pick up your packet ahead of time and avoid the rush the day of but there is definitely some room for improvement here. I thought it was a little ridiculous that you had to look up your bib number first on a pin board, which was quite crowded, then attempt to line up based on your bib number. Since the lines were so long, it was hard to tell whether you were in the right line until you got closer to the front. When you finally got to the front, you find out the reason it all took so long was because the bib numbers were out of numbers in the boxes and there wasn’t one dedicated volunteer per box. Also, some volunteers didn’t cross check names with the bibs they gave out, so this caused some runners to be missing their bib and caused more confusion and hold up. I think a lot of this could be resolved next year if they go by last name, have one or more volunteers per box and also have a volunteer or two helping to keep the lines straight.
— No bag check
— The Start line crossed paths with the course. This got tricky when the 10k wave was supposed to start because crowds of runners would have to cross the course to get to the start line while trying not to get in the way of the 5k runners
— Start times were delayed about 10 minutes. This was actually a pro if you were stuck in the packet pick up line, but for those of us anxious and ready to start it got a little annoying.
— The Finish line was crowded. Lots of spectators waited around the Finish line, but some were waiting right along the course so you had to navigate around people to get to the Finish. Also, I didn’t think it was too smart to have a Finish end right after a roundabout. Makes it a little difficult to gun it for the finish line when you have to slow for a curve.
— The last mile of the course was steep and narrow. This got especially annoying with the large groups of walkers that would block the whole path and have no runner etiquette. Didn’t leave much room to navigate around them.

Great race, well organized for a smaller race. Cool T-​shirt, very cool medal, and a jammin’ 80’s band at the finish! Had a great time!

An 80s-​themed 5k? How could I resist? From the minute I read about this new event, I had to register. Plus the finisher’s medal is in the shape of an old school analog tape.
Seeing everyone in neon, the family that included a mini-​Hulk Hogan, Elliott in hoodie with toy ET in the bike basket and Waldo pushing a baby stroller, lots of great themed costumes.
Blue skies, chilly temps, rolling hills. Counted as training for the weekend. Totally rad, right? Here comes the not so awesome stuff.
We got race day instructions this week and the following important information was missing: name of place hosting Packet Pickup. Had they simply said Sports Basement Presidio, I would have known exactly how to get there without relying on my navigation system which led us on a serpentine route in the rain and the dark. Even more importantly, it would have been helpful to be reminded Race Day pickup was available and I could have avoided the trek into San Francisco on a Friday night. That info was on the registration website but not on this week’s link.
I finally got to packet pickup, looked up my bib number, and got my bib as a remixed version of «Billie Jean» played in the background. Email had said timing chip had to be worn on shoe. I realized the timing chip was on the bib but again this information might be helpful, especially for new runners who might inadvertently remove that foam on the back of the bib. We had a choice of lime green or purple for our tee (to be worn at an upcoming KOFY Dance Party taping) and a choice of recyclable grocery bag or backpack. No other freebies or displays except for an unmanned keg that had a sign saying Free Beer if you’re over 21 and a rack of vintage 80s track suits.
The logistics for the race were ridiculously disorganized. No signage whatsoever except a few signs leftover from the Hollywood Half-​Marathon. The start was late. There were very few volunteers so you had to pour your own water into dixie cups on the route (which were at one table and therefore a safety hazard so I went without) and at the finish. And 16 porta-​potties for 4000 people?!? I know there are bathrooms around the park but that led to lines everywhere.
I’ll keep getting my 80s fix on KOFY Dance Party and stick to smaller, reputable races.

I couldn’t believe this was a professionally organized race. The people at packet pickup were rude, the race start was unorganized and started late, the course wasn’t really marked, and the finish line was congested and there were only dixie cups full of water. I’ve been in races organized by elementary schools that had better organization.
Luckily I wasn’t taking this one too seriously, otherwise I would have been seriously disappointed. The medal is definitely nice though.