Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Surf City Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews.
You know we’re goin’ to Surf City, gonna have some fun! In February I will be traveling to beautiful Huntington Beach, California for the Surf City Half Marathon. If winter in Chicago is anything like it was last year, I will be more than ready to get away by then! While it’s too early to predict, the average temperature that weekend (February 2-3) starts with a low of 50º and a high of 63º. The race starts pretty early in the morning, so if we hit the averages, the temperature will be in the low- to mid-50s for the race. Perfect!
I haven’t been doing much running lately so I won’t be adequately trained, but as you know, that’s my usual M.O. Besides, the course time limit is…wait for it…five to five and a half hours, depending on when your wave starts! What the what??? While I don’t plan to take THAT long, it’s good to know I won’t be under a time crunch! So, I’ll do what I can as far as training between now and then, but I’m not going to kill myself trying.
The race starts along the Pacific Coast Highway and passes by the famous Huntington Beach Pier. We will run north along the beach for a couple of miles before turning inland for just a few more, and will then head back to the Pacific Coast Highway. At that point we will run past the Bolsa Chica Wetlands reserve (a wildlife and migratory bird sanctuary) as we head north again. We’ll then loop around and head south along the beach for the final five miles, finishing back at the beach for the post-race festival and sand bar. How fun is that?!
I’ve not run this race before (and I’ve never been to Huntington Beach), so I’m really looking forward to it! This will be my first race of 2019, and considering I typically kick of my race season mid-spring, I’m off to an early start. I’ll be running the Virgin Money London Marathon exactly 12 weeks later, so this will be the perfect kickoff to my training. Now if I can just keep the momentum going! (By the way, I will be running the London Marathon as a charity runner, raising funds for Whizz-Kidz, an organization that provides wheelchairs and mobility devices for children and young adults. If you’d like to contribute to my fundraising efforts, you can do so my clicking on this link. Any donation, big or small, will help and is greatly appreciated!)
Interested in running this race? You can register online here, and use code SCMBR10 for 15% off! There are also 5K and full marathon options, and if you can’t make it to the coast, you can run the half or full marathon virtually!
Have you ever run any of the Surf City races or traveled to Huntington Beach? What races are you signed up for this year? Which one are you most excited about?
Click here or on the picture to get to my fundraising page!
Good luck, Linda! Enjoy California when you’re out there, great area!
Cindy
Thanks, Cindy! I’ve never been to that area, so I am really looking forward to it!
Well that looks like a perfect destination race for a February! Have a fantastic time! You have a fun race schedule lined up for this year
Thanks, Deborah! I have yet to plan my travel and I have a few logistics to work out, but I’m really looking forward to it!
What a fun location for a race! I have a lot of runner friends that live in Cali and many of them have done this race before and loved it. I have no doubt that you will have an amazing time there!
It sounds like a great race. Who wouldn’t love to run along the ocean shore?!
That sounds like so much fun! I have never been there, but it looks gorgeous!! Enjoy 🙂
Thanks! I’ve been to California, but never to Huntington Beach. I can’t wait to escape the Chicago winter!
I’ve always coveted that surfboard medal! I actually did a marathon training run along the Surf City course. I ran 16 miles up and down the boardwalk at out on that pier. The ocean views and vibe was amazing. Enjoy!
The medal does look really cool! I’ve only recently heard it tends to be humid on race day, but I’m sure the views will be amazing!
Great race! Temperatures are perfect, but the humidity sneaks up on you- I ended up with calf cramps the last 2 miles from over sweating even though it wasn’t really hot. My fault. This year I will not pass up the electrolytes!! Have a fantastic race!
Well thanks for that tip! I didn’t even think about humidity. I will definitely plan for that!
I’m always so impressed that you can just wing it with this long distance races. I think my body would hate me if I tried!
Have so much fun!! I wish I could go to Cali during our Cleveland February… 😉
Haha well don’t forget I am run/walking and not running! My goal is to get to the point this year where I can run an entire race without walking at all. I actually did that for my very first marathon (albeit slowly), but not since!
How awesome!!! I can’t wait to hear how it goes!! You’ll do so great! That looks like the most perfect place for a race!
Have a great weekend!!
Thanks! It looks like an awesome venue with a fun atmosphere!
I have a lot of new-to-me races on my roster for 2019, so I’m really excited to see some new cities. Have fun in California!
Oh, I can’t wait to hear all about them!
The Pacific Coast Highway is so pretty! I’m hoping to move back to CA later on this year! <3 Hope you have fun!!
I sometimes think I would like to move to California, but it’s so nice living in the center of the country and being able to travel most anywhere within a 4-hour or shorter flight.
I was about to get even more excited because they also have a Surf city half marathon here near Houston that I ran a few years ago!
I am sure the one in CA will be a lot more fun and def more beautiful!
I have never been in Huntington beach, but I have a good friend who lives out there.
Sounds like a great plan to train for London!
Oh, that’s so funny! I’ll have to look into the Houston one, too! Huntington Beach looks beautiful. I wish I had more time to explore the area, but I will likely be in and out for the race.
I think this will be an awesome half! I think I was in Huntington Beach lonnnnnnnnnng ago, but I’m not 100% sure. I went to LA in 1987 and stayed for a couple months with an ex-boyfriend (he was an ex even then and I was 18 and it is a long story hahaha!) and we went to several places near there (I know for sure Long Beach was one of the places I’ve been!). Hopefully it will be the perfect conditions too! 5 and a half hours is extreme though! Are there a lot of walkers as well? It’s nice to have such a time limit – really makes it more inclusive!
Coastal California is so beautiful! I’ve been to a number of places, but never Huntington Beach, so I am really looking forward to it. I imagine with that time limit they do get a number of walkers who are out there enjoying the views. I agree, it’s great to have such a generous time and will make for a nice mix of participants.