Grizzly Peak Runs

Event & Course Description:
I’m going to deviate from my usual outline a little and state up front a factor that may color my review. I am discouraged with my finish time for this 10K. The course was tough enough, but it ate me alive and spit me out. The simple reason is that I’ve not been able to maintain the regularity of my training – almost none at all – and my endurance is wa-a-a-ayyyy down. I had to take two 5 minute rests, something I’ve never done before.

Coastal Trail Runs’ Grizzly Peak Trail Run is run in Tilden Regional Park, east of Berkeley, CA. As is typical of Coastal’s races, the various distances are formed by connected loops, sometimes repeated by the longer distances. The 10K course is part of the courses for the half marathon, 30K, marathon, and 50K distances. The start is near Lake Anza, runs near the lake briefly and also passes near a golf course. The 10K course is a “lollipop” out-and-back. There are two fairly steep climbs in the first half of the course, with lots of rolling between the hills, and then the last ~40% of the course is almost all downhill. Over 90% of the 10K course is dirt roads and single track trail.

Courtesy of a wet winter and rain showers a couple of days before race day, there were a LOT of muddy patches on the course that were the full width of the trail. One had to pick which way to go, around or through, and a couple of muddy patches were also pretty steep (I skated and fell in one in which I was going downhill). Oh, and we were warned that there was poison oak for those who went off the trail (Welcome to trail racing!). So one had to watch for that if one went around a muddy patch. The “upside” of 2017’s weather and the season of the year was that the course was very green, with redwoods, eucalypti, and more trees than I could identify. It was a beautiful forest trail run!

Organization & Production:
Coastal Trail Runs is a class organization! Online registration and race day check-in were smooth and quick. Online info was complete. As usual, the course was well marked, and there were course marshals at the 3 road crossings on the 10K course. Aid station locations depend on access. For a couple hundred pounds of water plus other goodies, aid stations need to be located where the course comes near or crosses a road. It isn’t unusual for some 10Ks not to have any aid stations. Grizzly Peak Trail Run had an aid station about 1.7 miles from the start with water and sports drink only. 10K runners passed through this aid station twice, and I got my water bottle refilled both times. I didn’t see the other aid stations, but Coastal typically has a variety of salty and sugary snacks plus fruit at their aid stations. A runner doing a Coastal race need only worry about getting there (which was a little more complicated that other races I’ve done, but with Google Maps on my cell phone, I managed) and running their race. Coastal’s venues and organization provide an excellent race experience.

Swag & Goodies:
Bib: Coastal does simple bibs – organizer’s logos and slogan (“Have Fun Out There”) and the bib number on a white background.

T-Shirt: Coastal gives runners of all distances the same tech type race T-shirt. The Grizzly Peak Tee is uber-bright chartreuse, with the race name and logo on the front, with the distances and date. The logo features a mountain peak that has morphed into a roaring grizzly bear. The back has the logos of the race sponsors and organizer.

Finisher’s Medal: The medallion is wire-brushed finish and silver colored,very substantial. It duplicates the front of the race T-shirt, with the race name, logo, and distances. The mountain peak – roaring grizzly is in very dramatic relief. The ribbon is light blue with the year in black letters.

With being frustrated with my finish time, being 1/4 covered with mud, and needing to get home for some family time, I didn’t wait to see how I finished in my age group. I’d been around 6th place in previous Coastal races, so I didn’t expect to place much higher. A few days later, checking my time for this Rave, I found that along with being the 10K DLF I was also first (= only) in my age group. So I emailed Coastal, and they were good enough to let me pick up my extra medal at the next Coastal race I was doing. The First place medal is bright gold with a wave pattern background. In the center is Coastal Trail Runs’ name and logo.

The finish area food emphasizes carbs – definitely appropriate for runners who have burned off 1500-X000 calories – with chips, pretzels, cookies, and candies. There was also an ice chest well stocked with cold water and sodas, and maybe beer (I was too muddy and spent to notice). Someone was also grilling burgers. There were a good number of picnic tables at which one could rest, recover, and replenish.

My Opinion of the Race:
Coastal does budget-conscious trail races ($45 for the half marathon at Grizzly Peak and many/most [all?] other Coastal races! One could do two Coastal half marathons for the cost of one Rock-n-Roll half marathon, and in much more beautiful surroundings), but whatever they do to cut their costs, they don’t cut runners’ race experience. There was no park entry fee for Grizzly Peak. Would I do Grizzly Peak again? I don’t know, but that’s a reflection on my current capabilities, not the Grizzly Peak Trail Run or Coastal Trail Runs. I’ll ask myself that question next year. Would I do another Coastal Trail Runs race? Absolutely! I’m planning to do one next month, and having done 3 Coastal races in 2017, I’m eligible for a 5% discount. Looking further into 2017, there are 3 other Coastal races I’m considering, depending on how my year goes.