Ruth Anderson Memorial Endurance Run

Description:

WELCOME. Race Headquarters is in the parking lot at the north end of scenic Lake Merced lake at the foot of Sunset Boulevard in San Francisco, California. This is where you will park, check in, get your number, and receive aid.

It’s a mostly flat, certified, 4.5-mile loop on either an asphalt path or groomed dirt shoulder around the lake. It’s possible to run on the groomed shoulder path about 90% of the loop. There is approximately 100′ of elevation gain and loss per loop.

With two exceptions, you will stay on the paved path that circles the lake. There are two spots approximately 0.5 miles after the start of the first lap where you will go straight and not follow the longer paved route. We will try to mark this on race day and will announce it prior to the start.

Runners will enjoy one aid station per loop fully stocked with water, electrolytes, and a wide selection of foods. You will also have access to your vehicle and are allowed to set up supplies near the aid station. A second water fountain is located about half way through the loop.

Format
Runners will be allowed to choose their distance during the race, but a runner can only be a finisher at one distance. Once reaching the 50 km, a runner must decide whether to continue or stop. If the runner stops, he/she is a finisher in that race and his/her tag will be pulled. Choosing to go beyond the 50 km. distance makes the runner an entrant and competitor in the 50 mile event. You cannot continue past one distance and decide later that you want to be scored in the earlier distance. If you have questions, please ask.

There is essentially no cutoff for 50 km. as long as you can keep moving.

50 mile runners have one cutoff to meet based on a 15 min./mi. finishing pace:

They should finish their 10th lap (44.2 miles) by 11 hours, i.e. by 5:30 p.m., into the race.

Start and Finish lines
There are multiple start/stop points along the route. The parking lot at the foot of Sunset Blvd. is “Race Headquarters.” This is where you will park, check in, set up your supplies, get aid, and have your completed laps counted. It is also the finish line for the 50k and 50 mile event.

The start line for all races is a 0.52 mile walk from this area, and we will leave about 6:15. Note that it will be dark at this time of the year.