FAQ
What. Is. THIS?!
Beer City is a traveling circus of beer, running, and fun. Our Festivals offer great beer from local brewers you know and from new ones we have come in know our travels. Join us in Alameda, Orange County, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, San Jose with new cities coming all the time.
All Beer City events start with a run from our Beer City Half Series. You’ll also find a Beer Stroll, a 1-mile journey that starts and finishes with a taste. Shaking your booty is fun and it builds up a good thirst.
Once you’re done running there’s beer tasting. Then, the whole thing roars into festival mode with brewer sampling, games, entertainment and the best local food trucks you can find.
Will there be beer? What else will be at the finish?
There will be beer tastes for racers over 21 years of age as well as non-alcoholic beer and other drinks like bubbly water and soda pop. There will also be post-race treats including Bellwether Farms yogurt, cookies, and fruit as well as fruit. Post-race beer drinking last until 12pm.
Your friends and family can enjoy the post-run beer from 9:45 to 12 with a Buddy Pass, which you can purchase during registration.
Family and friends are also welcome to come at no charge if they don't want to drink beer or try snacks. This is a family-friendly event.
Runners who want to stick around for beer tasting, music and fun at the Beer City Festival can purchase Second Shift tickets, which are 30% off a regular Beer City Festival pass. These are good until 2pm.
What kind of schwag is there?
Each finisher receives a comfy shirt, The Key Beer City OC medal (which doubles as a bottle opener). Hold it close! All finishers also receive a custom Beer City Half shirt and a special Beer City tasting glass made from recycled plastic. Yay sustainability!
What are the courses, cuttoff times, etc.
All the races take place the Santa Ana River Trail which is a mix of gravel path and paved trail.
We don't like cutting people off. You've earned your race. That said, the Half Marathon only has a cutoff at 3:30 minutes. This is not a hard cutoff. Everyone on the course gets a finish. If a runner is significantly behind a 3:30 pace they'll be encouraged to return to the Start.
Is there packet pickup? When is it? Where is it? Can I pickup race day?
There will be packet pickup on Friday, November 1 at Sports Basement Orange County (10800 Kalama River Ave Fountain Valley) from 4-8pm. You can pick up for friends. No problem.
On race day, there is bib pickup starting just after 7am at Centennial Park.
Where does the race start and finish?
All races start and finish at Centennial Park in Santa Ana (3000 West Edinger). There is parking on site.
Where do I park?
Parking is available at Centennial Park for a fee.
What's your refund policy?
You can defer or transfer your entry any time up to race day. Check out our policy and how to defer or transfer here. We don't offer cash refunds. If you think you may need a cash refund, consider buying race insurance. That's what it's here for.
