If you’re tackling the marathon, I’ve got 17-20 miles lined up for Saturday. This route includes Golden Gate Park, The Great Highway, the Panhandle, and more! Here are a few things to keep in mind before I dive into the details around the course:
1)You will be running gradually uphill for the first few miles of your 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. These descriptions will make more sense once you read my course description below.
Ok, enough of the preamble. Let’s get down to it!
Here’s a course map for you to peruse-
Course Description
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. Cross over to the other side of JFK here.
There’s a water fountain here if you need to hydrate. This is roughly one mile into our run.
Continue running on the left side of JFK until you come to a 4 way stop at the intersection of JFK/Transverse. FYI, there’s a water fountain on the LEFT side of JFK at this intersection.
Continue running on the LEFT side of JFK all the way to JFK/Stanyan. Cross this intersection and make your way onto the RIGHT side of the Panhandle (parallel to Oak Street). Follow the panhandle until it ends and continue running on Oak Street to Scott.
Turn around at Scott and head ALL the way back to the Beach Chalet. Once you return to the Beach Chalet, you will have 9 MILES under your belt. Throw back some water, a gel, and continue on the Great Highway to pick up your extra mileage.
Head all the way to the end of the Great Highway and turn LEFT on Sloat.
Continue running on Sloat to 37th/Sunset. Turn LEFT on Sunset and run along the pedestrian path. Run to the intersection of Sunset/Quintara. Beginner runners will turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 17 miles!
Everyone else will continue on Sunset to Moraga. Intermediate marathoners will turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 18 miles!
Advanced and Race level runners will continue for another 1/2 mile to Irving. Advanced level runners will around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 19 miles!
Race level runners will continue to MLK and turn RIGHT. Continue on MLK until you reach MLK/32nd. Turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 20 miles!