I've always wanted to run this race because it's a local 5k and I like horses. This year I finally registered. Per the instructions, I arrived at the Santa Anita Race Track via gate 8 off of Baldwin Ave. I was directed by the parking lot volunteers to park in the lot close to Huntington Dr, near gate 3. It was just South of the registration area and East of the starting corrals.
After parking my car, I walked over to the registration tables and picked up my bib, timing chip, and a cotton race t-shirt. Race registration started at 6:30 am. I could've registered on race day, but I did it online before online registration closed. I then went back to my car to take a quick cat nap and wait until the start of the race.
Bib and shirt
As the start of the race got closer, I changed into my running clothes and got out to warm up a bit. After I was done warming up, I used one of the portapotties near the end of the corrals. I then got into the first corral to wait for the start. I actually ended up in the very front in one of the starting gates. The instructions said that the first wave was for those running 7 minutes per mile or faster.
Starting gates
Call to the post
The race started at 8 am. It was pretty cool that we started out of the starting gates. I was hoping to hold a 7 min mile for the entire 5k, but after the first mile, I knew that that goal was impossible. I had no power on any of the inclines, so I had to ease up on the pace. The course snaked around the Arboretum and Botanic Garden before heading back to the race track. Then on the final stretch on the track, I couldn't run very fast on the thick dirt. After crossing the finish line, the right calf cramped up and was a bit achy.
1: 7:00
2: 7:38
3: 7:45
3.1: 0:50
Finish: 23:13
After getting my medal, I got a banana, a bottle of water, and a Clif Bar. I then made my way into the beer garden. They asked if I wanted 1 or 2 beers. 2 beers of course! Too bad the beers were Michelob Ultras. Not my favorite beer, but heck I guess I'll drink them anyways. I thought that this was a lot of stuff to give out after only a 5k. Even without so much giveaways, this was a good 5k. I will definitely run this race again in the future.
Beers for breakfast!
Sweet looking medal!
After finishing my beers, I walked around to each booth that was set up around the beer garden. There wasn't much that interested me. Plus something was triggering my nasal allergies, so I decided that I should head on out and find some tissue paper. I noticed that the line for the beer garden had gotten super long as I was leaving.
LA Galaxy
Beer garden line
On the way out, I came across some of the back-of-the-pack walkers. I cheered them on before crossing the course to head for the exit. I believe studies have shown that whether you run or walk, the health benefits are pretty much the same. So get on out there and exercise! Your heart will thank you!
People heading to the finish line
Before I got into the parking lot, I took pictures of two statues. They were statues of two famous race horses, Seabiscuit and Zenyatta. They were pretty cool, but they sort of reminded me of a lavish grave site. I wonder if the horses were buried underneath the statues. Most likely not.
Seabiscuit
Zenyatta
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