Mushroom Mardi Gras 10K & 5K Fun Run Walk
Morgan Hill, CA
Official Website : http://www.mhmushroommardigras.com/
Date : May 23, 2009
Race Type : Running
Race Distance : 5K and 10K
Race Description: Online registration available at www.active.com. Course - flat, fast, out-and-back along the scenic Coyote Creek trail and bicycle path. T-shirts available while supplies last. 1st Place overall Male & Female in 5K & 10K races will receive gift certificate for $45 at Go Run Sports, Morgan Hill. Additional awards given to top 3 finishers in each age division.
2 Reviews for Mushroom Mardi Gras 10K & 5K Fun Run Walk
This is a great small local event that is put on the morning of the Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras Fair.
The course is flat and easy. The course takes you out and back along the Coyote Creek bike path. The course support includes two water stations and bananas and bagels at the finish.
I'd recommend this race for anyone looking to complete their first 10K or a good training run. The course is easy and the atmosphere is pretty low key. My wife and I made a day out of the event by camping at Henry Coe St Park that night before, running the race, breakfast at Betty's, and then walking the fair in downtown Morgan Hill.
2009 was my first year racing this 5K event. I don't normally do 5K's so I don't have a lot to compare them to. It seems unfair to hold them to the same organizational and entertainment standards of a half marathon, but I'll do my best! If you come to this race expecting a professionally run event you probably won't be happy, but if you are looking for a local fundraiser-type race that is managed by high school students and their parents and all the craziness that comes with that set-up, then you'll have a great time. I'll just post the three things I liked and the only one think that I didn't.
Liked -
1 - the super easy check in. It was nice and quick and all the volunteers were really cheerful and helpful. Also post race they were awesome about quickly posting results. That was great!
2 - the porta potties! they were the cleanest and nicest I'd even been in pre-race. Props for that!
3 - The cheering cute high school boys on the course. It was fun and encouraging to high five kids on the bike path. They were clapping and cheering like we'd just finished an Ironman!
Dislikes -
1 - Impossible to find info on the race. The website was really lacking and didn't even have directions to the start. Unless you knew someone who lived in the area or were super snazzy and Google sluething, you were gonna get lost. Come on! Maybe there were directions somewhere but we couldn't find it on the directions and event part of the site.
Otherwise, everything else was great and if I am in the area again next year I'd definitely sign up.