Hollywood Half Marathon 10k Race Report

The Green Girl and Benson Cheruiyot with Hollywood Half Marathon Race Director, Ken Nwadike

The Green Girl and her friend, Benson Cheruiyot, spent the Green Girl's pre-birthday weekend running the Hollywood Half Marathon.

The event benefited the Los Angeles Youth Network, an organization that reaches out to homeless youth.

We ran the inaugural race last year and Benson had finished second overall.

Hollywood Half Marathon Course Map

The course started near the intersection of Hollywood and Highland and ended at Hollywood and Vine.

Hollywood Half Marathon Elite Start

The morning air was comfortable - not too hot and not too cold.

I cheered Benson and our other friend, Philemon Terer, at the elite start and then headed to my corral to prepare for the wave start.

Many runners were dressed in fun costumes. There were many superheroes and even a Joe DiMaggio with a group of Marilyn Monroes.

Hollywood Half Marathon Starting Line

My strategy was to take it easy from the start because I was still congested from a two week old cold.

After crossing the Starting Line, I was immediately out of breath and sweating profusely.

I somehow managed to run the first mile in 11 minutes but coughing fits forced me to stop running. I was also frustrated that I had to keep blowing my nose.

Benson Cheruiyot at the Hollywood Half Marathon

The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that my friend, Janey, was waiting for me at Mile 2 - if not for her, I would have followed the 5k turn around. I told myself I could manage a 10k.

Janey walked with me and kept me company the rest of the race. I even got winded walking the inclines.

At around Mile 3, we saw the elites go by. I was disappointed to see Benson and Philemon trailing Alene Reta.

Benson Cheruiyot, Philemon Terer, Everlyne Lagat, and Joseph Mutinda at the Hollywood Half Marathon

After I crossed the Finish Line, I met up with Benson. He'd finished in 3rd place, Philemon 2nd, and Alene had won. Their friend, Everlyne Lagat, had come in 1st for the women.

We hung out with the other Kenyan athletes and enjoyed the live post-race entertainment while we waited for the awards ceremony.

Hollywood Half Marathon Awards Ceremony

T-shirts, hats, and jackets were tossed out to the crowd. I was thrilled to get one of the red Hollywood Half Marathon running jackets.

Race award ceremonies rarely start on time so we were grateful that we didn't have to wait that long for it to begin.

Michael Blackson MoonRunner at the Hollywood Half Marathon Awards Ceremony

The race directors, Ken and Sabrina Nwadike, presented the awards from the generous prize purse to the top 3 female and male finishers.

Race director Ken's alter ego, Michael Blackson MoonRunner, made a 'surprise' celebrity appearance to present the age group awards.

The Green Girl's favorite Hollywood Half Marathon costume - 'Free Hugs'

As a runner, I feel what sets race directors Ken and Sabrina apart from other organizers of comparable-sized events is their level of dedication to the running community.

Ken and Sabrina are committed to continuous improvement. Their events are not only fun and unique but participant feedback is considered and thoughtful touches are included that enhance a runner's overall race experience.

I look forward to participating in future Superhero Events.

Inaugural Hollywood Half Marathon Race Report

'Tour the streets of LA like never before... Run down the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame as thousands of spectators cheer your name!'

The Green Girl kicked off her birthday weekend by running the inaugural Hollywood Half Marathon.

Five dollars from every race registration benefited the Los Angeles Youth Network, an organization that reaches out to homeless youth, and Beyond the Bell Branch, a Los Angeles Unified School District after school enrichment program.

The course started at the Universal Studios Hollywood Globe, went downhill on Cahuenga for two miles, looped east and then back west on Hollywood Boulevard, and ended with two reciprocal hilly miles.

The Green Girl, Benson Cheruiyot, and Moses Waweru represented Sole Runners and Tumaini for the Future

This was the first event I was participating in with Moses Waweru since we met at the 13.1 Chicago Half Marathon last year.

Moses's best friend, Benson Cheruiyot, was part of the half marathon elite field. Moses competed in the Hollywood 5k race.

Moses Waweru, Sole Runners Mentor Vern, Benson Cheruiyot, Philemon Terer, and Jenny Yew

We had anticipated race traffic and congestion at Universal City Walk but parking was a non-issue and signs clearly marked the path to the starting area.

The morning air was cold so we quickly joined the shivering runners huddled around heat lamps along the Saddle Ranch Chop House patio while we waited for the race to begin.

Hollywood Half Marathon Elite Start

Before the race start, Moses and I managed to squeeze our way up to the front to cheer on the elite wheelchair racers and runners.

After cheering loudly for Benson at the elite start, I quickly headed over to the porta-potties before I attempted to seed myself in the 11 minute per mile pace corral.

Waiting to cross the Starting Line

As soon as we crossed the Starting Line, the course went downhill so the race started off quickly.

The route was clearly marked with orange cones and well-staffed with volunteers along the way.

I focused on engaging my core and taking small, frequent steps on the ascent to minimize the impact on my legs.

Benson Cheruiyot in the lead at Mile 10

Around Mile 3, I spotted the lead car. I was ecstatic when I saw Benson was in the lead with MacDonald Ondara on his heel.

After stopping to snap pictures and scream my support for Benson, I continued running.

By this time, the weather had warmed up significantly but unfortunately, the aid station cup supplies had run out. The volunteers made the best of a difficult situation and cheerfully offered to pour water into runner hands and even gave runners the gallon jugs when they were almost empty.

I was grateful for my hydration belt and I made an effort to increase my electrolyte intake when I noticed my fingers were starting to swell.

Moses Waweru winning the Hollywood Half Marathon Hollywood 5k

Despite the fact that the 5/10k course converged with the half marathon route, I missed seeing Moses run the 5k but I was grateful that my friend, Janey, was there to cheer him on.

Somewhere between Mile 9 and 10, my right hamstring started hurting so I stopped to walk for a bit until the cramping ceased and then I continued running.

Moses Waweru, the Green Girl, and Benson Cheruiyot post-race at Universal City Walk

I powered up the last hilly miles and crossed the Finish Line in 2:40:06.

When I checked my text messages, I discovered Benson had come in second (MacDonald had surged at the last minute) in the half marathon and Moses had won the 5k.

It was the perfect way to start off my birthday weekend.