Saturday Long Run Course Description (04/30/2016)

We've got a big one lined up for Saturday, folks! This is where champions are made and legends are born! Again, we're launching from the Beach Chalet parking lot at 1000 Great Highway at Ocean Beach.

We will run a lengthy stretch along the Great Highway FIRST and get our remaining mileage in Golden Gate Park LAST. You will be logging between 10-14 miles depending upon your training level.

Here is a map link for Saturday's course-

Saturday's Run Course

Here is a description of our 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. 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 from the Beach Chalet. 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. Keep your eyes peeled for DeYoung Museum on your RIGHT. It’s kind of a funky looking building, hard to miss. Run until you are right next to De Young Museum. LOOK FOR A ‘RC 10’ IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PATH! Beginner runners will turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 10 MILES!

Everyone else will continue running through the park. Roughly half a mile past the ‘MM 10’, you will come to an intersection in front of the Flower Observatory. This is JFK/OBSERVATORY WAY. Cross over to the LEFT side of JFK here. Run until you are directly in front of the Flower Observatory. I will put down a ‘RC 11’ in the middle of the path at this point. Intermediate level runners will turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 11 MILES!

Advanced and Race level runners continue on the LEFT side of JFK once you pass the ‘RC 11’! Continue running on the paved path until you reach the intersection of JFK/STANYAN. Run through this intersection onto the panhandle. Continue running on the RIGHT side of the panhandle until you reach the intersection of Oak/Cole. Look for a 'RC12' in chalk on the ground. Advanced level runners will turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 12 MILES!

Race level runners will continue running on the RIGHT side of the panhandle which is adjacent to OAK Street. KEEP RUNNING! Run all the way through the panhandle and continue running on the sidewalk on Oak Street.

Continue running on the sidewalk on Oak Street until you reach the intersection of Oak/Steiner. Turn around here and head ALL the way back to the Beach Chalet. At this point you will have logged 14 Miles!