Here is the report from CK Mak who went to San Francisco to run in this marathon on 2 April 2011.
A day before the run, I drove and checked out the venue and passed by the Golden Gate (which was not golden in color). Later, I learned that the the real "Golden Gate" is the strait that the bridge spans. It was first named "Chrysopylae," meaning "golden gate," by Captain John C. Fremont in 1846.
The most exciting encounter of the Golden gate marathon, beside completing the hill marathon which is only my 2nd marathon, is to make friend with Werner Berger. At the age of 69 in 2007, he became the oldest North American to have climbed the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents. He told me that he plans to be the oldest human reaches the highest summit on earth which is the Mt. Everest in 2013 at the age of 75. I hope to join him to base camp, at least.....
The venue of the Golden Gate marathon is at the Rodeo Beach in the Fort Cronkhite Golden Gate national Recreation Area.
Due to the fact that certain part of the trail is narrow and a lot of corners, no head phones is allowed as there may be runners run from the opposite direction which may cause accident.
The lucky number - SM stand for small size for T shirt ..... I lost 5 kg to win the biggest slimmer challenge in Jan this year and hence small size is just nice for me ......hehe
Registration counter with the marathon route (much worse than the double hill or wall at Bukit Tunku) behind it.
Starting point at the Rodeo beach which is good for......
.............. surfing ......if you dont want to run.....
fast car driver does not mind running slowly up the hill......another way to enjoy the spectacular view of Golden Gate from afar
After 20 minutes trail run from the starting point ....the houses and cars are very small from afar.....
Run is not an option for most of us in view of the slope ...... an uphill task.....
Another beautiful view from the hill .... despite cooling weather and don't see the sun, I was tanned....
It is a community run and no RELA there....hence the workaround.....
Near one of the water stations ....comtemplating if I should ask for a ride.....
...or rather ride on a yatch from top of the hill....
A view of the beautiful Golden Gate that could only be appreciated by trekkers ......
The last mile to the finishing line at the far end..... need to run about 500 meters on “golden” sand by the beach ....
not anything easier than the uphill run as every single step into the soft sand needs a pull out from the sand before the next step....
Finally, the 2nd round reaching the finishing line after qualifying for the first loop.....first loop took me 2 hours 15 minutes but the 2nd loop added another hour for a total time of about 5 hours and 30 minutes due to knee injury after the first loop.
My “Golden” gate finisher medal and T shirt....I was wearing a pair of Transition glasses and it will turn darker according to the degree of UV.....can see it is as dark as a sun glasses.... very harmful to the body and eyes.....
Went to fisherman wharf in San Francisco and guess what ......lots of people running there from noon till we left in the evening .....maybe we should consider going for the golden gate run and stay around this place for practice and aslo enjoy the famous calm weather whenever we feel like .....of course lots of beverage to make you warm if needed ....
Love from Union Square, San Francisco.....stay tuned for the 2nd part....
Posted by KC Leong
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