There
are several fun runs that take place each week, or at other scheduled times,
that are not organized or sponsored by the club but whose participants are
mostly club members. In other words, these group runs are not restricted to
Tamalpans. After reading about these runs, if you have questions, feel free
to call or email one or more of the contacts for additional information.
Please Notice: These fun runs are open to all comers. You do not need to be a member of the club to participate. Hopefully you will enjoy them enough to want to join Tamalpa so that you can take part in some of the club events that take place.
9:00 A.M. rain or shine, fog or wind (snow and sleet, too)
This run began in 1971 and is the longest-standing group run known to the club. It is 100% trail running, always hilly, generally lasts 1 1/2 to 2 hours covering 7 to 10 miles. There are plenty of options to run longer or shorter depending on your ability, time, and interest.
Suitability: This run is usually 7 to 10 miles in length but always has options to shorten or extend it depending on your interest and ability. It covers some of the most beautiful terrain on Mt. Tam from the fire lookout atop East Peak to the base in Muir Woods National Park. You should have a fair level of fitness for running hills, be somewhat experienced on trails, and ideally you will own a pair of trail shoes. The group pace is fairly brisk but we generally wait at trail intersections to be sure no one gets lost. There are fast, medium, and slow runners present who know the trails so it is unlikely you will get left behind. Occasionally we are known to do a little bush whacking as well.
Saturday Morning regular Roy Rivers has created a very nice web site dedicated solely to the Saturday morning Mountain Home Inn Run, complete with many beautiful photographs taken of our friends "at play" on the mountain. To check out how we have fun, click here.
Directions: From Hwy 101 near Mill Valley, take the Hwy 1 (Shoreline) exit Follow it through several curves to the stoplight at Shoreline and Almonte. Turn left and follow Shoreline for approximately 2.5 miles, climbing the hill toward Muir Beach. Near the top of the hill take the right fork, following signs to Muir Woods and Mount Tamalpais. You are on Panoramic Highway now. Follow Panoramic for approximately 1 mile, passing straight through the intersection that drops left to Muir Woods and right to Mill Valley. Continue on for another 2 miles until you see a large parking lot on the left with the Mountain Home Inn and Restaurant across the street. Park in or near this lot. It is a major trail head for the south side of Mt. Tam.
Contact: Jack Burns - (415) 927-4416 - jakburns@earthlink.net
2 Miles of warmup followed by 6-8 miles of workout - Call for location.
Location 1 - Marin YMCA - Park on road in front of YMCA
Location 2 - China Camp - Park at La Pasada/North San Pedro
Contact Kees: (415) 472-7917
6:00 P.M. - All Weather
Started in 1995, the Wednesday night run moves between two locations depending on the time of year. The group usually goes someplace for dinner after the run.
After the Daylight Savings time change in October, the run starts at Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon and is generally 7 miles of pavement with options to shorten or extend it depending on your interest and ability. The typical course includes climbing up Belvedere Island and running around it in a keyhole loop through downtown Tiburon. The views are incredible if you like looking at the bay, Sausalito, the Golden Gate Bridge, and The City, for starters. Everyone can run at their own pace and will usually have company. You will probably need a flashlight, as the bike path can get quite dark.
In the spring and summer after the time change again, the run starts in Ross near the entrance to Natalie Coffin State Park. The course heads into the Marin watershed toward Phoenix Lake and the trails that are accessible from there. The group decides where the route will go before the run, or after the run starts, whatever. The route that is decided will generally be 5 to 10 miles in length with the option of going shorter or longer.In either case you will usually have company. You won't need a flashlight, but you might want to wear a pair of trail shoes, for this run is all dirt, and generally hilly.
Directions: To Blackie's Pasture (winter)
Off Hwy 101 in Mill Valley, take Tiburon Blvd/Blithedale Ave offramp and head east. Go about 2 miles and turn right into the parking area for Blackie's Pasture. It is signed.
Directions: To Ross (spring and summer)
Off Hwy 101 take Sir Francis Drake Blvd west 3 miles to Lagunitas Road. Turn left and follow through two stop signs .8 miles to available street parking. We meet adjacent to the Lagunitas Country Club tennis courts. If there are no parking spots available on Lagunitas road, you can usually find parking on Walnut Ave., 200 yards east of the tennis courts.
Contact: Dave Covey - (415) 388-7616 - ultradavec@yahoo.com
Note: The Wednesday night and Saturday morning fun runs are spontaneous and unofficial events, and the Tamalpa Runners have no official affiliation or sanction with these runs or their organizers.
