Dressing Up For The Costume Run

The San Francisco Bay to Breakers is one of the oldest races in history that celebrates the human spirit. Since January 1, 1912, it had been one of the oldest running events where not only the serious runner participates. Each year thousands of costumed participants join with families, and weekend runners and walkers. As they make their way through the heart of San Francisco, energized by continuous bursts of live music, they are cheered on by thousands of spectators lining the route.

Since the inaugural Bay to Breakers, a number of costume-themed runs have popped up around the world. The London Marathon, has produced some of the best costumes as has runDisney events such as the Walt Disney World Marathon, Tinker Bell Half Marathon, and the Disney Princess Half. Other running events seem to evoke costumes simply based on the event date like many local Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, Christmas runs, and Halloween runs.

If running in an outrageous costume is on your bucket list, you don't want to miss out on the Costume Party Run. On July 7, runners will be coming out of San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium and running a half marathon or 5K in the whackiest costumes they can think of. Along with some crazy course entertainment, you will not want to miss this inaugural event!

Did I mention the medal?  Rumor has it that it will be one of the LARGEST medals in the country!

The Costume Party Run has chosen Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego and San Diego Youth Services. So get your costumes on because it's all for a good cause.

Here are some of running's WHACKIEST costumes. Can you top them? BuyCostumes.com is a great source for inexpensive costumes if you are looking for some inspiration!

Cruella and her Dalmations

Something's fishy!

Lady Lobsters

Snap, Crackle, and Pop!

Faces

Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Nesquick will give you some speed!

Roadkill Rita

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What Are You Doing After The Race? This Guy Is Gettin' Hitched!

There are a lot of things people want to do after running a half marathon.  Get a massage, eat a burger, and take a nap are all fairly common answers that we get from our participants.

This year, we have someone doing something a little out of the ordinary for a post-race activity.  He is getting married. Yup, as in walking down the aisle after the Hollywood Half Marathon.

Francisco Hernandez has been running since he was 14 years old with SRLA, (Students Run L.A.) and is now a volunteer with the program. He has run 18 L.A. Marathons, 3 Ultra-Marathons, countless 1/2 Marathons, including last year's Hollywood Half (go legacy!), 10Ks and 5Ks.

After the race, Francisco will be heading to Woodland Hills to meet his bride, Hillary Hazelton for their evening wedding.

Francisco and Hillary met at Union Station and although she was a little nervous to let him run, she knows that running is his passion and just couldn't stop him from his legacy status.  Hillary reports that once Francisco found out that both events fell on the same day, he was nervous to ask her but the lure of the legacy was too strong.

He just had to promise Hillary every single dance at their wedding.  Not a bad deal!

Good luck to Francisco (bib #472) and CONGRATULATIONS to him and Hillary on this special day.  Wishing you a lifetime of Hollywood Half Marathons and happiness.  Maybe you can name your first child after race directors Ken or Sabrina?