RACE YOU FOR TACOS
THESE SUPER FUN RUNS WILL LIFT YOUR HEART AND YOUR SPIRITS.
HE L L O , spring! Sun? Shining. Birds? Chirping. COVID-19 restrictions? Cautiously lifting. All of which means it’s a great time to get outside and run.
You might join a running club, take up a running challenge or sign up for a local race. But if you’re less into speed and more into the experience of getting outdoors and doing something a little ridiculous — and earning a medal for it — we’ve found five fun runs around Southern California that you can sign up for right now.
These runs — one that celebrates tacos and all of which will get your heart pumping — are more memorable than your typical 5K. On your mark, get set, here we go.
HAVE SOME GOOD, CLEAN FUN Bubble Run Pomona April 9
Prepare to get sudsy at this family-friendly event, which features a pre-party with giant foam cannons spewing bubbles, followed by multicolored bubbles during the race and a “mini-music festival” after-party with even more suds. The pressure’s off for this 5K — there isn’t a race clock or timing chips. Instead, the organizers encourage participants to “dance and play” throughout the 3.1-mile route.
OBSTACLE COURSE FULL OF WHIMSY Big Bounce America La Habra April 22, 23, 24
While technically not a run, this event contains an obstacle course — of all kinds of inflatables covering just over 13,000 square feet that’ll take over La Bonita Park in La Habra. One ticket gets you three hours of access, and sessions are broken down by age to ensure safety — there’s a time slot for kids 3 and younger (with adults/guardians), one for kids 7 and younger (with adults/guardians), one for kids 15 and younger (with an adult/guardian) and one for adults. What makes the event so special? “Pure magic,” says event tour manager Dex (who doesn’t use a last name). “After the past two years, people need something fun, magical and full of whimsy.”
RUN … AND THEN TACO ’BOUT IT Tacos N’ Beer 5K
South El Monte
April 30
The name says it all: At the end of this race at Whittier Narrows Park, you’ll have a pretty great reward. Sponsored beer at past events included Estrella Jalisco, Bud Light and Montejo. During the
race, there’s live music along the course, and the festival after the run includes a costume contest, piñata party, various games and a mechanical bull.
COLOR YOURSELF DELIGHTED Color Run 5K Carson June 11
It’s known as the “happiest 5K on the planet.” This is another run with no pressure because it’s untimed and focuses on having fun — organizers say it’s “more about health and happiness than competition.” At each kilometer marker, participants make their way through a wave of colored powder. At the end, you’ll be covered in color. (I’ve done this run. A tip: Wear white or lightcolored clothing to be sure you soak up as much color as possible.)
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1987 Awesome 80s Run, Long Beach June 12
Take a trip back in time and grab some slouchy shirts and neon leggings for this race, which also has a San Diego event. During the run through Shoreline Village in Long Beach, you’ll find “tons of gnarly surprises along the course as well as tunes from the most righteous decade of all time.”