July 4th Scripps Ranch 10k (hosted by "The Old Pros")

The annual July 4th Scripps Ranch 10k in San Diego is (no exaggeration) my favorite race of all time. The organizers get everything right, and I mean everything.

• Plenty of port-a-pottys, so the lines are never long.
  
• A net downhill course, so you feel like you're flying (and your times show that you, indeed, did fly).
  
• Neighbors shuttling runners from the parking area to the starting line in their cars, just because they're friendly, and that's how this group rolls.
  
• Cold towels handed to runners at the finish line.
  
• A shady beer garden to recover in after the race.
  
• A field of runners (about 1,500-1,700) that is small enough to feel like a hometown race, but big enough to bring out some good competition.

This is the perfect race to get the Fourth of July festivities off on the right foot.

Results can be found here.