If your not ready for the races mentioned in our Alt Races Guide, then maybe you are up to a race of a different breed: Nike's 5-mile Run Hit Remix: The PowerSong Edition featuring live performances along the route by Naughty by Nature, Sir Mix-A-Lot, The Sugarhill Gang, Dawn Robinson of En Vogue, and a finish line concert by MC Hammer on September 15th at 9 a.m. (you might also spot Caroline on Crack out there)

As in the past, the annual race starts and finishes at LA Memorial Coliseum. The location's perk: you get to run through the World Famous LA Memorial Coliseum tunnel to cross the finish line on the field where Olympic athletes treaded at the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games. We've done it -- it was pretty damn cool.

The location's not so perky attitude: parking and traffic. The race caps out at 10,000 runners, so thousands of cars mixed with race road closures do not make for a happy start if you plan to arrive last minute. Plus, bring some cash for parking. You may have paid $31 (if you register before 8/28, otherwise it is $39), but that didn't cover parking. Boo! (we've never taken public transit to and from a race before, but there's a first for everything.)

For those who say they are not in shape or for those who are and just want to meet other runners, starting yesterday, Nike is offering 11 weekly training runs through Club Run LA at various locations from the West Valley to Long Beach, Santa Monica to Pasadena. Every location offers free munchies after the training run, but we'll offer this tip based on last year: the Hermosa Beach training run is not only a beautiful oceanside sunset run, you also get to much on quesadillas and drink beer at Sangria afterwards.

Photo of Club Run LA by Zach Behrens/LAist