Normally for this race, I would drive out to Dodger Stadium for the packet pick-up and arrive right when they open at 11 am. This year however I spent most of the morning watching English Premier League matches. I didn't start getting ready to head out until my Spurs were done beating Huddersfield.
Spurs vs. Huddersfield
I ran into a bit of freeway traffic during my drive out to Dodger Stadium. Just to where the heck was everyone going? The Waze app actually routed me off of the 60 freeway over to the 10 freeway. Once I got to the stadium, I made my way over to the Sunset Gate entrance per the instructions. There weren't too many parking attendants directing traffic, so I just followed the car in front of me. I parked in the lot just 1 flight of stairs lower than the top deck. Packet pick-up was once again located at the top deck.
I first picked up my bib then I made my way over to the other end of the top deck to pick up my shirt, Justin Turner bobble-head, and a DWP water bottle. I wasn't a fan of this year's shirt especially with the title sponsor, Biofreeze, sprawled across the front of the shirt. So tacky!
Race packet pick-up
They were showing the Dodger vs Giants game on the DodgerVision screens, but part of the picture was cut off so I decided to head home instead. I don't mind listening to the game on the radio. Along the way home, I stopped in my usual McDonald's to buy a quarter pounder with cheese sandwich using the $2 deal on the mobile app.
Sunday 9/30
The 10k race was scheduled to start at 7 am, so I timed it to for me to get to the stadium at about 6 am. Per the instructions we were to enter the stadium through either the Sunset Gate or Downtown Gate. Unlike last year, the Downtown gate was actually open this time. After I parked the car, I got ready and headed over to the starting area to use one of the portapotties. This year for the starting corral, they had signs for starting waves with a suggested pace range.
Wave 1
Start line
During the pre-race announcements, per the usual they brought out a couple of Dodger alumni. This year it was Kenny Landreaux and Dennis Powell. Once the national anthem was sung, it was time to run this hilly race!
Dodger alumni, Kenny Landreaux and Dennis Powell
I went out hard and fast until the course started that first steep climb up to the top deck. I ran by effort, so I made sure not to try and keep up with anybody around me. That first climb was a doozy as my legs felt like rubber once I got up to the top. Thankfully that was followed by a long downhill towards the Academy Gate. Once out of the gate, we turned left at Academy Rd. Shortly after passing mile 2, we turned right going up a steady climb on Stadium Way. Then we turned left onto Elysian Park Dr. Once we reached the halfway point, we turned left onto Academy Rd heading back to the Academy Gate. Once back onto the Dodger Stadium parking lot, we started running along the perimeter. We ran up to the Stadium Way Gate before we hooked around and headed for the finish line.
Finish line
Finish: 51:01
Click here for my Garmin data.
Relive 'LA Dodgers Foundation 10k'
I was hoping to have finished in under 50 minutes, but I believe this was the fastest that I've run this 10k since it began in 2015. In the first year of this event, they only had a 5k in 2014. Just like with prior years, the Dodger alumni were at the finish line passing out finisher medals. I got mine from Landreaux. After snapping a quick pic of the medal, I started down the finisher chute, picking up some post-race goodies. I liked that they gave out fruit instead of various garbage snacks.
Finisher medal
Post race fruits and water
The majority of the participants at this event were for the 5k race, so the place was starting to become very packed. Once I checked out some of the auction items just outside of the pavilion area, I started heading back to my car for my drive home. I would've walked around the warning track, but they didn't allow any food on the track even if you weren't planning to eat any of it.
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