Most races will have their own website where you can find a lot of useful details about the race. Often the website link is provided in race directories. If it isn't, you can Google the name of the race to find its website.
Often the website will include a map of the course and sometimes even an elevation vs. distance chart. Also the race results from the previous year (and often additional past years) are usually linked to the website. Check out the published finishing times and see where your typical finish time would place you.
Also consider the overall size of the race. Very small races often have particularly fast fields. Medium to large races (1000 runners or more) tend to include more slow runners and walkers.
"...I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do....I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't..." --- author unknown
2013 highlights...
@ 5K: Ontario Mills 5K, Ontario, CA, 24:42
Heart of the City Run, Los Angeles, CA, 24:13
Bruin 5K Run at UCLA, Westwood, CA, 24:54
@ 10K: LA Chinatown Firecracker 10K, Los Angeles, CA, 51:42
The Great Race - Old Agoura 10K, Agoura Hills, CA, 51:12
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