Nike After Dark Tour (Los Angeles) Review

I've run a hell of a lot of races over the past seven years, including 24 marathons and dozens of half-marathons. However, I was invited to take part in the 2026 Los Angeles leg gratis, and it's one of my all-time favorites. I ran it last night, but it extended beyond a single day. While I got to participate in a number of press activities, there were dozens of events all over the city of Redondo Beach where the race was run, from stores giving out freebies, to restaurants offering special drinks. There were activations all over, and the Expotique beforehand offered freebies as well as shopping opportunities. I should also say at the outset that I had entry to the VIP lounge. However, I spoke to a lot of racers who didn't, and their experience didn't sound any less fantastic than mine. 

This is a race for women, and the starting line (and the Expotique) had Olympian and record-holding women giving pep talks and hyping up the crowd. While I did see a few men on the course, mostly the guys were holding signs to support their friends who were running. The Expotique was lit, with a Nike shop to pick up gear, and support and freebies (really generous ones) from SIS, from cups to drink mix packets to gels to use on the course. It was amazing, but I'm reviewing the race itself, so let me tell you why I loved it so much. 

First, the fact that this allowed me to run at night with thousands of other women meant the world to me. Truly. If you're a guy reading this, please understand that we love you and all, but many of you feel safe running at night. I do not. LA is where I live, and there is no way in hell I'd lace up and run after dark. This was a unique experience and I was thrilled. 

Nike went all out with this race, from lit signs that not only gave encouraging messages, but told you how far up a crazy hill you were. This wasn't an easy course, though the pavement was flat and smooth, allowing me to actually look up and see the gorgeous scenery. The race started at 5 pm (I was in Corral A so I started right at 5), so while part of it was in the light, we turned down a street just in time to see the sun set over the beach. I mean, it's hard to beat a view like that. While most people who had seen the course were talking about one rather tough hill, this was by no means a flat course. However, it was doable, and there was water and SIS electrolytes and gels at stops along the way, as well as ice in towels at the top of the hill and rice crispy treats. Once the sun went down, everyone was waving lit up signs and glowing nike inflatables. There was even an entire building that was glowing red. 

Honestly, the brightly-lit signs, the lit-up arches along the way, and the incredible crowd were amazing, but so were the ladies on the course. From the Olympians and record-holders who helped hype up the crowd to women offering each other support (and tampons ... girl code was strong here) to everyone who looped around high five-ing each other as they passed, this was all about girl power. That continued right until the finish line, where we were handed snacks, drinks, and the medal by the most enthusiastic volunteers I've ever seen at a race. (Seriously, thank your volunteers!) The medal ... you guys, this medal is a necklace with a Nike swoosh, which is wild and so pretty! 

The afterparty was fire, with a DJ on the beach, stands and chairs, and food and drinks. Plus, there was a major drone light show above the Pacific Ocean with messages like "Run until you see the stars." Yeah, I teared up. Honestly, I PRd on this one by three minutes, and I didn't think I would. (I'll be honest and say I think part of it was the course, and part of it was the Nike Alphafly 4s that I was given. Review incoming.) I would run this again in a second, and I don't think I'm alone. My Instagram feed was absolutely full of people excited about the race before it happened, and with tons of praise after the finish line. The course, the support, the medal, and the combination of women cheering each other on and helping each other through was freaking intoxicating, and I cannot WAIT until next year!