Rival10

This was a super fun experience! I actually volunteered to help with the race and ended up running the 5k as well. I thought the whole idea was well planned and every piece of the morning flowed. I was amazed to see so many people attend and be happy about running in a 9 am race, which is actually a late start. The day could not have been more perfect, one could not plan a more amazing day weather wise. The best part is that the Organization is small, Family run and local Bay Area people just trying to make it in a Huge Market of Running Event Planners… I am all about Thinking Global and acting Local! The most amazing part, it was all advertised on the internet! So Green…

This was my first organized run of any kind, so I don’t have much to compare it to. But it was definitely well-​organized and fun, and I think it was slaaammin’ success in its inaugural year! 10 Yay Area universities are compete for points, earned based on the number of people registered and whether they do the 10K or the 5K. This year probably 80% of runners were Cal-​affiliated (Go Bears!). It also benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The operations were based out of Sports Basement near Crissy Field, where parking was nice and plentiful. Before the run there is an active life expo inside the store, where you can check out various company’s products and get yo bib, timing chip, and a free Rival10 tee! Running late as usual, I got there 5 minutes before the 9am takeoff and they were still really accommodating.
The trail goes right underneath the *Golden Gate Bridge* and then hugs the coast. (Map hurr:
). The whole thing is as flat as a pancake, and this morning it wasn’t too cold or windy. It was nice to dog/​people watch as I jogged along the knee-​sparing asphalt/​dirt trail. The only disappointment was when I finished the first loop for 5K thinking I had somehow completed 10K without my legs screaming bloody murder, then having the realization I had to do it all over again. Know that feeling? Yeah. I should have known I hadn’t heard enough songs on the iPod yet. :P
Normal setup: cones, mile markers, volunteer water boys/​girls and cheerleaders. The announcer was cool; when I went around for the second loop I heard, «aaaand here is CHRISTINE, number 541, from CAL, going for 10K!» and people cheered. It felt nice. lol.
The perks: the t-​shirt, free drinks, pizza, beer, energy bars, chapstick, Heavenly keychains and lift ticket discounts. I picked up a whole case of some energy drink that I hope tastes good so I can use it for running/​studying. You also get 15% off at Sports Basement on the day of the race. If your stride is crazy and you can, like, go 15:00 for 5K, you just might win some goodies from Heavenly.
The registration process and logistics on the day-​of were eeeasy peasy. There’s not really a phone number to reach the organization, and all of it is done through the internet, but almost all questions are answered in the FAQ.
In short, I’m tired, I’m spent, but I’m glad I did my first 10K (WAHOO!) and I would totally recommend this one to anybody who’s eligible to race!