You will run a lengthy stretch along the Great Highway FIRST and get your remaining mileage in Golden Gate Park LAST. You will be logging between 8-11 miles depending upon your training level.
Here is a map link for the course-
Here is a description of the course:
Everyone will head SOUTH from the Beach Chalet on the paved path running along the Great Highway. Everyone will run ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF THE GREAT HIGHWAY! The intersection of Great Highway and SLOAT is the end of the Great Highway.
There’s a controlled intersection here and the paved path effectively ends. This is a 2.35 mile stretch. If you need to use the restroom and/or grab a drink of water you will need to cross the street and head WEST over to the rest area (this will be clear once you get there).
Turn around and head back to the Beach Chalet. This is admittedly a challenging stretch as it seems to go on FOREVER!
Once you get back to the Beach Chalet, you will have 4.7 miles under your belt. Again, feel free to stop, knock back a gel and/or some water, use the restroom, etc.before you head into Golden Gate Park for your remaining mileage.
Head NORTH from the Beach Chalet and promptly take a right turn to get onto JFK. You will run along the dirt path for about a half a mile until you come to a stop sign. Turn LEFT at this stop sign at the pedestrian crosswalk onto the dirt path running along JFK. I will try to put some chalk down at this intersection indicating where to go.
You will continue running along this path for some time. As you close in on the first mile you will see the ‘Bison Paddock’ on your left. Shortly after you pass the paddock, you will see Lake Spreckles on the left.
HEAD left at the pedestrian crosswalk at Lake Spreckles and get on the LEFT side of JFK. Continue running. (*FYI, there is a water fountain at Lake Spreckles).
Roughly half a mile later you will see the Frisbee Golf Course on your left near Marx Meadow Drive. Just past Marx Meadow Drive, look for a ‘RC 8’ in chalk on the ground. Beginner runners will turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 8 MILES!
Everyone else will continue running towards JFK/Transverse. Run through the intersection of JFK/Transverse. 200 meters later, KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR A PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND A ‘RC 9’ IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PATH! Intermediate level runners will turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 9 MILES!
Advanced/Race level runners will continue running on JFK. Roughly half a mile from the aforementioned crosswalk and ‘RC9’ you will see DeYoung Museum coming up on your RIGHT. It’s kind of a funky looking building, hard to miss. Just past DeYoung, look for a ‘RC10’ in the middle of the path where 10th intersects with JFK. Advanced level runners will turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 10 MILES!
Race level runners will pass De Young Museum and eventually see the Flower Observatory appear on the left. You are close to the turn around for 11 miles. Once you are directly across from the Flower Observatory, look for a ‘RC 11’ in chalk on the ground. Turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 11 MILES!