Just to mix things up and to take a break from cows and wild pigs, #17 ultra for the year was an urban one in San Francisco. Starting at the top of Twin Peaks, this course largely follows the 49 mile scenic drive through the city, through various tourist spots before returning back to Twin Peaks. As a matter of fact, this is the route for the Fear and Loathing 50K that I ran in 2016. Here’s my Strava activity:

The SF Tourist 50K

Given the limited parking at the top of Twin Peaks, woke up to an alarm at 4am and got there around 5:40am to get a great spot overlooking the city. Waited until 6am when there was enough light and began the run. Got to see a pretty epic sunrise over the city with Mt. Tam in the distance.

On an urban run like this, it’s kinda mandated (!!!) that you stop by a cafe, a market or something to grab a drink or food. So at North Beach, right around mile 19, I stopped at a market to pick up a Coke, took my time drinking it before heading up Coit Tower.

I got to Fisherman Wharf around 9:30am and up until then, I suppose the city was asleep or just waking up. Now there were quite a few folks out, runners, bikers, walkers. It was bustling and everyone was out soaking the sun.

After the nice downhill along Coastal Trail, it felt good to get to Golden Gate Park – almost there.

This view is always quite the teaser as it reminds you there’s still that climb ahead to get back to the car.

Trudging up the last hill, made it back to the car in 6:00 and change. It was pretty up there looking down on the city on a gorgeous sunny day. Sat there for a while trying to spot the places I’d been earlier, before heading back home.