Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood 5K/10K

Went here a few weeks ago with some friends. This place is overpriced for what you get, but I guess that should be expected from a chain restaurant like this one. The food was cold and not tasty. We ordered the Mac n cheese (can’t go wrong with classic Mac n cheese right??) bad choice! We didn’t even end up eating. Waste of money.

Very friendly customer service, i was surprised because usually a chain restaurant don’t take care of there customers the right way, not the case here. You’re encouraged to walk around and look at the memorabilia that’s on display, I especially enjoyed the music videos that are playing «awesome». Thank you Andy you did an amazing job. When ever you’re in Hollywood stop by the Hard Rock and ask for Andy he’ll take care of you

I love this place! Always loads of people. Great service. Great food. I cant recommend this place enough!

I like this race and the course is pretty straightforward. This year is the Inaugural 10k, a nice addition distance that’s been growing in popularity lately (personally i wish i could do 10ks everywhere and never run a half marathon ever again, LOL but i’m addicted to race bling, and let’s face it, the half marathon bling for most races are better/​bigger).
The start line is self-​seeded, so you start at the front if you think you’re fast as Lightning McQueen, or you start at the back if you’ve got a stroller or dog, or are walking it. or somewhere in the middle if you’re a middle of the packer. Or start wherever you want, if you’re slower but want to finish earlier (and don’t mind reliving a scene from Lion King’s stampede scene) then by all means, start at the front.
There’s a couple DJs spread throughout the course, however there could be more, for a «Hard Rock Café» type event. The only thing that’s remotely related to the HRC is the use of the logo on the medal, bib and medal ribbon/​t shirt. Otherwise, the course feels like the Hollywood Half Marathon (they go the same direction on Hollywood Blvd) and ends at Hollywood & Highland too.
I’d keep doing this event though. it’s a fun and easy course made by good people.
PS: Beer for adult finishers at the end. Line is long but whatever price you put on it for free beer. lol.

I’m trying to be forgiving as this is only the second year they’ve held this event but it’s difficult. Let’s start with registration on a Friday night, open only until 7pm. Both years we’ve made it right before 7 because it’s taken nearly 2 hours to get to Hollywood after work, park, and run inside. While the registration folks were super nice and helpful, the T-​shirt guys had already boxed most everything up and were rude when asked if anything besides Small was available. We had to exchange for the correct size before the race the next morning. Next, racers that medaled, unless they were first, were not given any direction after crossing the line. We only found out days later that one of our party had placed third and should have gotten a medal. After numerous phone calls and emails the medal was finally sent to her, weeks later — and they’re cheap plastic, not even as nice as the ones everyone that registers received. Another of our party placed third until two days later when another runner, who had mistakenly registered as a male (?!) had their number bump our runner when her gender was corrected. Last, and the proverbial straw that’s led me to write this, the photographer for the event keeps sending us emails asking if we would like to purchase photos of our runner– it’s not the right photos. I’ve contacted them numerous times to no avail.
It’s a real shame because the event itself is a blast. Here’s hoping they get their act together.

Such a fun event!!! Easy course, great for beginners. Registration is open again so register today!
*Also, check out the New Years Race hosted by the same directors!*
use code: «NYRMyrna15» to save at NYR. (Reg. fee goes up 08÷01÷14)

Pros
1) The medal is awesome!
2) Enough water stops for a 5K.
3) Good course entertainment
4) Packet pick up was a breeze.
Cons
* The course. It’s an out and back course, which I already don’t like. There were only a handful of stores that were even open along the street, and not a ton of spectators or cheering going on. Kind of a bummer.

2,000 participants! Pretty huge event!
Music was playing everywhere, great sight seeing while running (sidewalk running was way better), endless pic-​taking with spectators and selfies. Who cared about our time? We had so much fun the whole time and we would do this again next year.
The best part was the medal and the tshirt. I thought they were really special, extra heavy and larger in size than other 5K Races.
We paid $ 20 for parking and it was very close to the starting point.
It was a peaceful and well-​organized event overall.

For an inaugural event, they did a good job and it ran smoothly.
The medal was pretty big for a 5k; love the bling. Especially love that we got a technical shirt and not cotton like most 5k’s.
Bib # pickup was easy and line not long but I got lucky that they did not run out of small size shirts. They ran out of the other sizes so those who did not get a shirt will have one mailed to them.
Parking at structure was only $ 2 with validation. I helped a couple of people save $ by asking them if they validated before they paid at the machine. I guess not everybody was aware that Hard Rock Café was validating at their store.
Post-​run refreshments were bananas and these cookie crackers that I enjoyed.
Course was on Hollywood Blvd, out and back. Thank goodness we never got direct sunlight during the run so a hat or shades were not necessary.
Naked Juice was there offering their personalized green t-​shirts. It caused a bit of traffic at the finish area. People didn’t realize they could go around if they didn’t want a shirt made.
There were a lot of runners but not as many as a major marathon would have. Parking in the structure was easily found and there was good room around me on the course. I’d recommend this to anyone looking to do a 5k.