Los Alamitos Race on the Base

5k, 10k, reverse tri, junior tri. For as many races as they have going on, they do an amazing job at organization!
Packet pick up: Easy! You go the base the night before, park, and walk a little bit but get your bib and shirt and can visit some of the booths.
Shirt: I’ve ran the 10k three times and each year the sizing is different for the shirts. My first one was my favorite but it’s too small. The second time I went larger and it’s too big. I didn’t know what to do this year and it’s a bit large. Oh well.
Course: The course is nice and flat. I find that with the 10k being first usually the bands are not always set up. You see them, but don’t hear them, oh well.
Pace: 8:05 for my 10k
Parking: Parking is ample, but you have to arrive early. Last year I gave myself an hour because I live close by. It was turning left onto the small street from katella that took forever. Only 3 cars could go at a time. I had to get out of the drivers seat, have my mom park and run to the start. I got there with about 3 minutes to spare. Had to use the restroom but the porta potty line was too long so I just ran. This year I was smarter and left earlier, and went a different way. Get there early!
Goodies: I’m a fan of goodies. They give you a free breakfast, this year through Denny’s. I got their pancake breakfast which was tasty. They had other booths that you could walk around as well.
Reverse tri: If you have time go and cheer on those in the reverse tri, especially at the pool. It’s the last leg of the race and so difficult.
Weather: The weather is usually pretty nice. The morning is cold, and then it warms up as you run. I usually run with a hat and decided not to that morning. I should have ran with one, it warmed up.

This was my first time running in this race. The website said to arrive about 1.5 hours before your race began, but since I was running the 10K, which was the first race of the day, I figured I didn’t have to be there THAT early. That was dumb of me. From the freeway exit to the entrance of the base, the distance was about 1.5 miles, but it took about an HOUR to cover that distance. Get there early!
The course itself was ok. Completely flat, which is great, but some of the bands that were playing chose some slow paced songs, which was a bit of a downer. Although there was course support and water stops, I think that the water stops could have been better spaced. I think they had stops at mile 1 and then mile 5. That time in between seemed like forever.
The race swag is pretty cool. A long sleeved tech tee, and dog tag medal, and a free meal afterwards.

This race couldn’t have been better organized. I participate in a lot of races and I was very impressed by the race organizers putting together a well planned event. The race itself was pretty basic, we ran up and down the airstrip but I liked the fact it was open and we weren’t stuff in bottleneck situations were you can’t move past race walkers. Thanks for a great race!

This was my daughter’s first Jr. Triathlon (she’s 8). I was nervous about the entire endeavor, it was a lot for her to take on with the transitions and not being familiar with the course. Luckily, the Los Alamitos Race on the Base did their best to make us all feel more comfortable. The Junior Reverse Triathlon was set in a separate area near the pool and only 1 parent for each child were allowed in the race area. This made for a much less chaotic environment and a safer area for everyone. The other parent could watch the swim portion at the pool and finish line. The entire race was well run and organized and my daughter is already planning for next year.
Here are some points you might want to remember for next year should you find yourself in the Jr Triathlon mix:
1. Get there at 6am (I know, ugh)
2. Have your child wearing: bathing suit, socks, tennis shoes, running pants (it’s so cold at 6am), shirt with Bib on it, timing chip strapped to their left ankle and bring a jacket.
3. Bring with you: Helmet (with sticker number on it), Bike (with sticker number on it), a bag that you will carry with a beach towel and flip flops for when they finish and your camera.
4. Remember that it is going to be fun and remind yourself and your child of that at 6am.
My daughter was pumped from the second she woke up and didn’t come down from the adreneline high until Tuesday the following week. Good job Race on The Base!

I was really impressed with the race. This has been one of the best ones I have participated in. I would recommend anyone looking to run to try this one. I really appreciated having people at the end giving bananas and water. Oh and they were giving out metal dog tags which was really nice. You can tell they go above and beyond!

This was my first year participating in this event and I ran the 10K. This event also included a triathlon, a roller skating race, a 5K, and a 10K.
I arrived at the base around 6:00AM for a 7:00AM race start. Traffic was backed up for over a half mile due to base security checks. There were numerous traffic control attendants (both military and volunteers) which made things smoother, but it was quite a ways into the base and it took about 30 – 45 minutes to park and pick up my bib. Getting there early is a must!
There were thousands of participants in this race, and the 5K and 10K runners/​walkers all started together. This race desperately is in need of wave starts and appropriate signage to encourage people of similar paces to start together (faster runners up front, etc). The start line area is very narrow and even though the event is chip timed, it still takes a long time to make your way to the start line. Once you are on the course, expect to weave your way around all of the walkers, strollers, and people jogging all the way across the path. Don’t try to get off path or you will be running in grass. I almost twisted my ankle. Although this course is definitely «fast and flat», I don’t think a PR is likely due to crowded course.
The course was entirely on the air field of the Los Alamitos military base. It was really a pretty boring course, especially miles 2 – 5.5. There weren’t many spectators. There were three water stops (near miles 1, 5, and 6). I didn’t like how there wasn’t a water stop between the first and second water stops and I really got thirsty. There were several bands/​DJs on the course, which was nice. There is no shade, so sunglasses are definitely helpful!
Participants were given a black, long sleeved shirt with the ROTB logo. Definitely something I’d wear. Orange drawstring backpacks were also distributed. There was a fairly large expo with numerous giveaways.
The finish line had a lot of spectators, but I didn’t see a clock. You got a medal (which was a really nice oversized dog tag with a plastic cover), then proceeded to get water bottles, coconut water, and bananas. I don’t remember seeing any other food at the finish line.
From there, you could stand in the Johnny Rebs line for your free meal. I stood in line for at least 45 minutes. The wait was awful. When I registered, I choose a breakfast burrito. When I got up to the front of the line, the lady told me they were all out and that I had to choose something else. So, I chose a chicken salad. It was actually very good. It came with your choice of dressing, apple juice, and a bag of potato chips. This was one area where way more volunteers or Johnny Rebs employees were needed. As you stood in line, there were people walking back and forth in front of you to get to/​from the expo. It was a mess. The free meal was definitely appreciated though!

Great event that take place on the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. This was my second time running the 10k. The race takes place on the runway area of the base. It isn’t the most scenic course but it is flat and they do provide some entertainment like bands and volunteers to cheer for you. Also because you are on the runway, you have lots of space to run and you don’t feel packed in.
I liked the black, long-​sleeved shirt that we got this year. After the race you got a free breakfast/​lunch from Johnny Rebs. The breakfast was just a breakfast sandwich or pastry item with a piece of fruit. Nothing too exciting but it was a decent perk.
If you plan on participating in this race, give yourself I little extra time because you have to show ID to get onto the base and you have to drive slowly through the base to the parking area of the race.

The course is flat, fast and flat for the 10K. I amazed myself with a 57:20 10K which is not my best time, which happens to be 53:20 but i was recovering from anemia this time. This is the first stand alone 10K i have run after doing 7 half marathons. The tech short is awesome, there is no big bathroom problem, they give you food. It was quite lovely.

This event offers a 10K, 5K and a triatholon. The course is pretty much running up and down the main runway and taxiways. The benefit of that is there is plenty of space to spread out and there are no bottleneck situations (Turkey Trot). There were some bands that played along the route. The base itself is a bit run down and doesn’t appear to get much use these days. As far as 10Ks go, it’s not a huge event and appears to have a small following in comparison to other events I’ve done in the past.
This is also the first 10K I’ve done where they provide a timing chip, which was nice. However the results weren’t posted until the next day.
The expo was OK. The only item you get is a T-​shirt. Johnny Rebs was one of the main sponsers and provided food. They gave you choice of a free breakfast or lunch item after the race.
Overall, a good experience.