For those tackling the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco 5K/10K/Half on Sun, 2/4, you don’t want to miss this one! Much of this course is what you’ll be tackling on race morning! Here’s a map link for you to reference:
A few things to keep in mind for our adventure run:
1)You will be running gradually uphill for the first couple miles of the run! This course isn’t terribly steep, but there is a GRADUAL uphill for much of the first half of the run. Keep this in mind as you may need to dial back your pacing a bit when you head out.
2)Watch your footing! There’s a reasonable amount of this run that will take place on a dirt path/fire road. This means small rocks, tree roots(sometimes), and uneven ground at times. I don’t want to see anyone take a tumble. Stay tuned in! Stay particularly alert on the RETURN when you will likely be a bit fatigued and traveling gradually DOWNHILL!
3)Water Stops. Roughly a mile into the run(not too far after you pass the Bison Paddocks on the left) there is water fountain on the LEFT adjacent to Lake Spreckles. Also there is a water fountain at the intersection of JFK/Transverse on the LEFT side of JFK. There is also a water fountain on the panhandle at Oak @ Ashbury.
Here is a description of our course:
Everyone will 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 quarter of 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.
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. If you need water, cross the pedestrian crosswalk over to Lake Spreckles and you will see the water fountain on your left.
Continue running on the dirt path for close to a mile and you will eventually come to a 4 way stop at the intersection of JFK/Transverse. This is roughly 2 miles. If you cross over to the LEFT side of JFK, you will find another water fountain.
Continue running on the RIGHT side of the dirt path past JFK/Transverse for roughly half a mile. You will be adjacent to a pedestrian cross walk. The ‘Rose Garden’ is directly across the street. Those tackling the ‘short’ course will turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 5 MILES!
Those tackling the long course will see a stop sign and traffic joining JFK from ‘Conservatory Way’. (this is just prior to the Flower Observatory) There is a pedestrian crosswalk here. CROSS OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF JFK AT THIS CROSSWALK!
- Follow JFK to STANYAN. This is a controlled intersection with traffic lights. Run through the intersection of JFK/Stanyan and onto the panhandle (the strip of land that runs between Oak/Fell, 3.5M).
- Run on the RIGHT side of the Panhandle! Run to the intersection of Oak/Ashbury, turn around, & head back towards Stanyan (3.9M).
- At Stanyan, connect with the paved path on Kezar Drive and head in the direction of Kezar Stadium (4.26M).
- At the intersection of Kezar @ MLK, turn RIGHT onto MLK (4.75M)
- Follow MLK to Stow Lake Drive WEST and veer RIGHT following Stow Lake Drive around the Lake (5.8M)
- Follow Stow Lake Drive WEST back to JFK and turn LEFT onto JFK (6.45M)
- Follow JFK to back to Beach Chalet for 8.75 MILES!