SoCal half marathon in December

sm_usagi

So, I'm looking for a half-marathon in December to train towards, and there is a half in Oxnard (Santa to the Sea) or a half in Ontario (Run Like a Diva). The Ontario event is closer, and the Diva stuff kinda looks like fun, but I wanted to know if anyone has run in one of their events before? Are they really over-the-top goofy? I have this weird thing where it's a big deal for me to put in the effort and train for it, and I am not sure I want to treat it like a joke or a gimmick. Or like I won't be taken seriously as having run a half marathon if it's all tiaras and feather boas and champagne at the end of the race? On a scale of one to ridiculous, how ridiculous am I that I care how 'seriously' people take my half marathon? Hahaha.

Anyway! Has anyone run a Diva event?

wilsoje74

I don't think any half Marathons are a joke, it's a tough distance! Are you already a runner? December is really soon if you aren't already running pretty high mileage!

ThickMcRunFast

I haven't done either, but almost ran Santa to the Sea last year. Their race director was hyping it up at my local run club. It seemed festive, but not feather-boas silly. Its USATF certified, it looks like they have starting corrals and pace groups, and offer equal prize money for men and women. Seems like a good race.

sm_usagi

I've run some 5Ks before and I run regularly during the week, not usually more than 3 miles though. I've been doing the Hal Higdon training plan for a couple of weeks and think I can get through it in the next 8 weeks! But yes, it's pretty quick.

wilsoje74

I've run some 5Ks before and I run regularly during the week, not usually more than 3 miles though. I've been doing the Hal Higdon training plan for a couple of weeks and think I can get through it in the next 8 weeks! But yes, it's pretty quick.

If you aren't running 6 miles fairly easily now it will be hard. I don't recommend increasing more than a mile a week, and in 8 weeks you would be up to 11 miles.

sm_usagi

Okay, I'm looking at runs in January now! There's the Honkers Motivational Marathon - did anyone do that last year?

arc918

How about Surf City in early February? The race is a little expensive, but they put on a really nice event.

DavidMartinez2

I've heard good things about Honkers. There is also the New Years Half in LA the weekend after NYE and the Holiday Half in SD around Christmas.

sm_usagi

Thanks guys. I am travelling during the NY Half unfortunately! But good to know Surf City is a good event, I will keep that in mind too.

arc918

There's also the So Cal Half - decent race. Only problem is the SRLA kids race here too (nice program where kids are training for the LA marathon, but the kids sprint and stop and cut all over the course - they lack the race etiquette of more experienced runners).

http://schalfmarathon.com/

RedHotRunner

I ran Santa last year. It's a flat fast course and in no way would be considered a boa and tiara event. It's a festive crowd with some people dressing up. It's also a smaller race with only a few thousand entries.

They also have a neighborhood cheer competition so the crowds really come out to cheer you on.

It's well run and inexpensive. If you're trained for that distance by then, i'd recommend it.

Raasy

I am doing the diva 5k on December 8th. Running with a couple of friends so it should be an easy run. But if you are looking for something to run in December still that is not all boas and tiara. Consider the Holiday Half, its close to the Ontario setting of the Diva run, but not as far as San Diego. It looks lie a great course with some hills and flat. its on December 14th & 15th. Here is the link:

http://runholidayhalf.com/about/half-marathon/

I am not doing that one since I am giving myself a little break in December after the diva run, but I will be training to do the Surf City one in Feb. Going to register for it this weekend at the expo for my half in Long Beach!