Coronado Independence Day 15K Run/5K Run/Walk

I should start this review by saying: 1) I am not a local and this was my first time to Coronado. 2) I only chose this race because I couldn’t find any other races in the SD area on July 4^th (and I looked! If there are others out there, they don’t have much of an online presence). 3) This was not my first race, I’ve been to races (from 1 mile fun runs — half marathons) both big and small.
I wish there was more information about what to expect about this race online, as a part of the website or on the
listing. I had no clue about the parking situation or that the island gets as crowded on July 4^th as it does (and in all fairness, my sister who is a local and lives in Pacific Beach didn’t either). The website did mention that parking would be tough, but «tough» is an understatement. The race directors also could have mentioned on the site that while the course is fast and flat (which they do mention) it is also very narrow, there are parade preparations happening on the whole island (meaning 4^th of July revelers everywhere), and the course gets very narrow in many places.
Additionally, they should have mentioned on the site that day of registration would be cash or check only. After dealing with the parking and walking the mile + to get to the registration table we decided to scrap our plans and not register as we didn’t have either with us. Who doesn’t accept credit cards in 2014?! We did follow the public race course and ran behind the pack though (which is how I know about the above race course information) — don’t worry I didn’t take course support.
I would run this race again in the future, now that I’ve been once and know what to expect. A note to the race directors though would to put a little more effort and information into the online information about the race.

This was one of the worst races I have ever done. We got false information about pace requirements right off the bat. At the race, we started 20 minutes late, and we still had to be back at 8:30. The scenery was beautiful and made the nearly 10 miles interesting, even though we ran most of it through the base. The volunteers were so unenthusiastic. And the finish line, there was nobody to cheer or congratulate us. they all but threw the medals at us. About 10 minutes after we finished (we did it in 1:48), they started breaking the finish line down. We stayed around to cheer on the people behind us since the volunteers apparently couldn’t be bothered. I get that 4^th of July is a big event there and I can understand the atrocious parking issues, but start the race earlier if it’s such a hassle! If I wanted to just go run 10 miles for funsies, I’d do it! I paid for this race for the ambiance and community spirit, and both were utterly lacking. Never again.

This was my first 15K. Overall, it’s hard to find an easier or more beautiful path. The trail is well marked, the race packet was of good quality, and it’s a great way to kick off the 4^th.
I am deducting two stars for the following reasons:
1) there is a major bottle neck for the first mile to the point of walking. If time is of great importance to you then be sure to be first in line or rely on your chip time and start after the crowd clears.
2) I ran at about a 12:00 pace and was shocked to see they were closing down the course before I even got to the half way mark which meant that I ran the last 5 miles with a spotty course and got a little turned around finding my way off base. (I know this contradicts my earlier statement that the course was well marked, I think it is important to point out that the first half of the race was stellar! If you run at a faster pace you will not have a problem)
3) They took down the finish line before everyone finished! The absolute high point of finishing a race is seeing the huge banner and running towards the crowd. I am thrilled I got to have that experience after running harder than I ever have before but many people behind me didn’t. Bottom line everyone who paid to participate should be able to cross over the finish line!

This was my first time participating in this event too. I also did the 15K, my daughter and a couple of her friends did the 5K. A lot of people were upset because of he narrow path at the start of the race, which added to their run times; I was enjoying the view and happy to see all of the people out setting up for their 4^th of July picnics and cheering for us runners. It was great to run along the bike path and past the ferry landing then onto the base for a bit to see and thank some of our servicemen. This was a well organized event. Anyone who frequents Coronado for the beach alone knws how the parking situation is — I just stayed to the center of the bridge and found a parking spot right away in a residential area. I had pre-​registered for the race and had our race bibs mailed to us – that is the way to go — we were ready to race as soon as we walked up to the park! Great technical fabric t-​shirt, and a few nice freebies too. This was a very reasonably priced event, and a good healthy way to start out the 4^th of July picnic fest. Will definitely do it again!