Run With The Jets

Pros:
Flat course
Small intimate race
8am start time
Free parking and lots of it
Food offering was decent, bagels (which were super soft and chewy), cookies, bananas, and lots of free drinks, water, flavored water, coconut water
Chiropractor providing complimentary stretching for runners
Clearly marked mile markers
Cons:
Scenery, wire cables, sewage smells every now and then, saw a few planes, but it was foggy and tough to see
Narrow running path, you’ll always be running near or next to someone, so if you’re next to a couple of chatty cathys like me, bring headsets
Volunteers weren’t helpful with information — I asked if there was bag check, the volunteer didn’t speak English. At a water station, I asked where the next bathroom stop was, she didn’t know or did she intend to find out.
No gear check– no bigggie, but would have been nice to know in advance
Couldn’t hear the announcer at the start of the race, we still didn’t know when the 5k runners were supposed to start
1 porto potty at the 4 mile mark — thank goodness I didn’t wait for the next one, there wasn’t one
For the 5k, lack of volunteers for the slower racers so some weren’t exactly sure where to go
Medals were a flimsy
Neon green shirts (any color would have been an improvement) — no women’s sizes
For such a small race, it would have been great to announce the finishers’ as they cross the finish line

Out of the six half marathons and one full marathon I’ve run so far, Run with the Jets is my favorite for its flat and scenic route.
The route follows the Bay Trail towards Foster City and back, treating runners to scenic views of peaceful waters and open skies. One of my favorite sights was a huge clear sky with rays of sunlight bursting through slits in the clouds while the moon lingered nearby as morning rose. I was also enchanted by the sight of hundreds of birds fluttering through the air as a young boy chased them along the shoreline. As the race’s name suggests, there are several planes flying overhead that are neat to gaze at, as well.
The flat course makes this race easier to run, or at least as easy as running 13.1 miles gets. It’s perfect for first-​timers or those looking to set a personal record. There were markers for every mile, aid stations every two miles, one port-​a-​potty, and one actual restroom.
Unlike other big city races I’ve done, there weren’t any spectators along the sidelines cheering runners on and holding signs, but that seemed fit for this quiet and peaceful trail. Staff members were all really friendly and encouraging.
The swag bag this year included a bright neon green shirt, packets of Emergen-​C, a sample packet of BioFreeze that did wonders to my aching joints, and four boxes of Dove Clinical Protection Deodorant. After the race, other freebies included bottles of ZICO coconut water and huge beer mugs with equally big SoBe drinks. They also offered free t-​shirts from previous years up for grabs, though it was mostly large and extra-​large sizes. Bananas, bagels, candy, and cookies were offered in the food tent. Most importantly, finishers received a sweet medal.
Half marathons are fun challenges that anyone can accomplish with hard work and determination. Don’t miss out on this great race!

I had wanted to run this last year, but I wasn’t ready for a ½ yet and had some other plans the weekend of the event…
This year it worked out, so i made sure to sign up early to get a spot. Plus it was a good price.
Besides for being COLD before the race, I loved everything about the event. I liked how the course was flat and fast (all pavement). I was able to shave over 7+ minutes off my previous ½(Half moon bay marathon).
They had plenty of water stations along the way.
I definitely will run it again next year…

Run With The Jets ½ Marathon started at Coyote Point Park.
$ 6.00 park entry/​parking fee.
I enjoyed this race. We started out at Coyote Point Park and walked along the San Francisco Bay Trail up, and past the San Mateo Bridge. The course was an out and back.
Expo in the park before and after the race… nice.
Course was well marked and mile markers were at every mile.
USTF Certified Course
Plenty of water stations and a few provided Fruit Punch Gator Ade… nice.
Enthusiastic water station aides… awesome!
On course photographers
Bathrooms at Coyote Point park and one port-​a-​potty en route.
Course monitors patroled by way of bike… excellent!
Awesome views.
Race limited to 1200 athletes.
Packet pick up was available at A Runners Mind in Burlingame, which included a nice preshrunk tshirt and a nice smoke colored water bottle and a few additional goodies.
Onsite pack pick up was also available.
Race started about 10 minutes late… not a big deal.
Race MC was very perky and enthusiastic.
Official chip timing.
Race started a little late and there were no course monitors at the last leg in to the finish chute area so I got a little off course.

San Mateo Run with the Jets. This is what makes this race 5-​stars for me:
PROS:
–You can pick up your bib/​shirt packet on the day of the race
–Chip timing. Race results printed VERY quickly after and available at the race. However, they only printed out two copies and the line was like 30 people deep to see them… couldn’t the race timers splurge on a couple more print outs???
–Large selection of bagels, muffins, water after. Better than most races.
–Race results posted online later that day
–Well staffed — overstaffed if anything — so many people helping! It was awesome.
–Well marked — plenty of route guides
–Plenty of port o potties and no lines. If anything they had too many port o potties.
–Announcer was funny and they started giving out wine to the division winners immediately after the races.
–The race starts for the 5k/​10k/​Half Marathon were all staggered.
CONS:
–You have to pay for parking, but it is located in a park so what can you expect? In the end I was glad that the parking lot was literally 20 yards from the starting line.
–The t-​shirts were pretty weak and there was no technical shirt or long sleeve shirt option.
–The shwag bags were pretty lame.
Overall, the race was pretty damn great. I don’t go to races for the t-​shirt and shwag bag (although I LOVE good race t-​shirts), but that didn’t matter too much for me. It was a very well run race and the course was scenic right along the water. It is an up and back format so you run along that part of the water twice.