2026 Davis Moo-nlight Run

This was the 8th time I participated in the Davis Moo-nlight Run. I have a soft spot for this race because not only is it local, but it also takes me back to the college town where I met Jon. And I love going back there.

I ran the race for the first time in 2016, my first official year as a runner. I had to skip the race in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID, and in 2022 because I was traveling with my family in the summer. I’ve participated 4x in the 10k, and then for the last four years, Jon and I did the 5k Walk together. 

Jon wasn’t up for it this year, so I decided to sign up for the 10k race again. 

Luckily, temperatures cooled down just in time for race weekend, and it was perfect running weather (low 80s with a bit of a breeze). I realize that low 80s doesn’t sound like perfect running weather, but for an evening race in the middle of summer in the Central Valley of California, it’s pretty damn pleasant.

There was plenty of (free) parking near the start line. I arrived 60 minutes before the race and had time to pick up my race packet (bib + t-shirt). I also thought I had enough time when I got in line for the port-a-potties 20 minutes before the start of the 10k/10-miler, but the line was so long that I eventually had to decide to step away and get to the start line. Oh well, I was going to sweat it out, I guess (luckily I had used the bathroom at home before driving to Davis). I barely had a couple of minutes for a short dynamic warm up.

I went into the race without expectations. I hadn’t run a 10k in quite a while, and this was “supposed to be” an endurance run at easy pace (according to my training plan), but sometimes we have to pivot a little. I wasn’t going for a PR or anything, but I was willing to push the pace a little bit.

I seemed pretty happy here somewhere between miles 4-5, I think. I was lucky that I noticed the photographer at the side of the path and smiled accordingly!

My finish line photo was not as pretty. I don’t look very happy. I have no idea why I didn’t look up because there’s always a photographer at the finish line and I know that. I guess I was just really focused, and despite not smiling for the camera, I felt pretty good. I swear.

A young woman offered to take my picture at the finish line when I was trying to take a selfie. She then told me that she had been on my heels almost the entire race (I didn’t notice!), and her finish time was literally 2 seconds more than mine (but it was not the woman in the photo behind me). I guess I am happy that I was able to be her pacer – unbeknownst to me. As I mentioned elsewhere before: I am nothing but a ‘steady runner’. Once I settle into my pace, I usually try to hold it (unless it’s a very hilly course).

My unofficial PR for the 10k is 51:05, and I didn’t beat that (my net time was 52:31), but I was still pretty happy with my performance on a warm summer night. I finished 3rd female in my age group (3/9), 11th in my gender group (11/190), and 88th overall (59/360). I also made 2nd place (2/22) in my gender group for Special Division “Sacramento Residents”. Not too shabby, if you ask me!

There were almost 1300 participants total.

I picked up two (out of three) of my finisher medals. I forgot to check the Special Division ranking; otherwise I would have received a third medal. Aren’t they pretty?

Pros:

+ This race is well organized. There’s plenty of nearby free parking (it’s in an industrial area with lots of large offices + parking lots) and they offer easy race day packet pickup (I hate when you have to pick up your packet beforehand, because I can’t easily get to Davis days before the race.)

+ I really enjoy the course. It’s a mix of street and green belt through East Davis.

+ Race entry includes a cute race shirt (although you can opt out and receive a $5 discount) + finisher and special award medal(s)

+ The race photos are free now (they didn’t use to be!).

+ The race is time-tracked, and the results are instantly available after the race.

Cons:

+ Not enough port-a-potties this time. I was shocked by the long line when I went over to the start line 25 minutes (!) before the 10K race start and wasn’t able to get to one in time. Luckily, it was more of a nervous “let’s use the potty one more time” situation for me, and I didn’t really have to go. I was just fine.

+ I know the heat is what most people complain about in regards to this race because it’s an evening race in the middle of summer, but it doesn’t bother me too much. It’s probably not a PR race course for most people because of the heat, but the cool swag and evening race atmosphere make up for it, IMHO.

Have you run an evening race? Did you like it?