If you’ve already broken all your New Year’s Resolutions, why not start the year over by celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year (this year will be the year of the Tiger) with a good ol’ race? The Chinatown Firecracker 5k/10k is one of best local courses in Southern California – I kid you not… Imagine running over the hills of Elysian Park, parts of Downtown LA and a grand finish running the off the ramp of the 110 freeway – yup you get to run ON the freeway. I ran this race for the first time last year by myself and had the *best* time.

The Chinatown Firecracker Run is a small local race with a 5k and a 10k course and bike ride. The New Year festivities occur the entire weekend (Feb. 27-Feb.28) – you even get a free carbo load dinner with the price of race admission (which is not too common). Before the race gets started Chinese New Year is celebrated by lighting 100 firecrackers. What better way to get your heart pumping than some loud explosives!

Along the course locals and volunteers cheer, hand out water, and at the very end little old ladies hand you bananas and orange slices. The real feeling of community involvement make is one of the reasons this particular race holds a special place in my heart.

I plan on running the 10k and having dim sum afterward. Then running another 13-15 miles for LA Marathon training. Sounds crazy, but this is mileage that needs to be done if I expect to make it through race day.

More information here.

Theme song for the race: “Wild Nothing – Chinatown”