Sunday (12/26) Long Run Description

We have a change of scenery on Sunday with a visit to Lake Merced.

Sunday’s Lake Merced Run!

We are meeting on the NORTH SIDE of Lake Merced. Specifically, we are meeting at the HUGE parking lot on the NORTH SIDE of Lake Merced. Again, here's a map link that should help you get oriented- North Side of Lake Merced.

This run is pretty straightforward. EVERYONE will do a full loop around the circumference of Lake Merced in a clockwise direction. There is a path that runs all the way around Lake Merced, so this should be manageable for everybody.

Roughly halfway through the loop around Lake Merced (2-2.5 miles), there is a port-a-potty and a couple water fountains if you need to make a pit stop.

After 2-2.5 miles, there is a decent stretch where you will be running slightly uphill, so pace yourself accordingly.

After completing a full loop of Lake Merced, you will have logged 4.45 MILES (roughly). Once you've finished a full loop around Lake Merced, head NORTH on Sunset Boulevard There is a path that runs parallel to Sunset Boulevard on the LEFT. This is where you want to run.

The cross streets are 'roughly' alphabetical so pay close attention to the cross streets as you are running. Everyone will run along Sunset heading North towards Golden Gate Park.

Eventually, you will arrive at the intersection of Sunset & Quintara. Beginner level runners will turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 7 MILES!

Everyone else will continue running up Sunset to the intersection of Sunset & Moraga. Intermediate level runners will turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 8 MILES!

Advanced and Race level runners will continue running along Sunset to the intersection of Sunset and Irving. Advanced level runners will turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 9 MILES!

Race level runners will continue running on Sunset towards Golden Gate Park. Eventually Sunset runs underneath an overpass (this is Lincoln you are running underneath) and right into Martin Luther King. Take a LEFT on Martin Luther King and run to the intersection of Martin Luther King & Chain of Lakes Drive East

Take a RIGHT on Chain of Lakes Drive and follow Chain of Lakes Drive until it intersects with JFK. Take a RIGHT at JFK and follow the trail on the right of JFK into Golden Gate Park. You will pass the Bison Paddock (on the left) and eventually reach Lake Spreckles (on the left).

There is a water fountain next to Lake Spreckles if you need to make a pitstop. There is also a restroom near Lake Spreckles. Turn around here and head back to Lake Merced for a total of 11 MILES!