The Buffalo Alley 10K Run is challenging yet fun.

The Buffalo Alley 10K Run is held almost every year at Camp Pendleton in California. It's a cross-country 10 kilometer run and, this year, will be held on Nov. 1, 2008. It begins at Camp Horno then goes up into the hills of Camp Pendleton where, while running, you can also enjoy the beautiful views. The great thing about this course is it's a hilly course and climbs more than 500 feet uphill, giving you a great workout as well as a great run. The race also honors wounded and fallen soldiers and some military wives even run in the race to honor their husbands who have been killed.

The race begins at 8:30 a.m. and has a two hour completion time limit. The race has two divisions - civilian and military - but is open to anyone age 15 years or older. Prizes are given to the top three finishers overall, then to the top three in each category. The race used to go by the name of Horno Ridge Run but was changed because the organizers wanted to give attention to the buffalo that still roam the ranges near Camp Pendleton.

The Buffalo Alley 10K Run is also part of the Hard Corps Race Series, a series of nine very challenging races. The top 10 in each division (civilian male, civilian female, military male, and military female) in each race are given points and the ones with the highest overall points after nine races are the grand winners. The Buffalo Alley 10K is the last race in the whole series, making it the most exciting one.

The Buffalo Alley 10K Run is not only a challenging race, it's also a wonderful way to support the US military. Military personnel stationed at Camp Pendleton can enter the race for free, while other military personnel stationed elsewhere pay a $30 admission fee. Civilians pay a $35 admission fee before October 19 and $40 after.

If you're looking for a challenging, fun race, with well-trained competitors and one that is held in an area with beautiful scenery, look no further. The Buffalo Alley 10K is definitely for you.