Most iconic cross country courses in Northern California and California?
Please share in the comment section below, the cross country courses that you believe are the most iconic in Northern California as well as in the entire state. We are looking for 3 mile and 5k courses.
Not 3 mile or 5k so I guess it’s disqualified but but my favorite course was my old home Santa Cruz HS course. The 2.08 mile loop runs through a redwood forest on the UCSC campus and has it all: hills, fire roads & leaf covered single track. Couldn’t handle more than a dual meet numbers wise but there’s been some great duals out there in the redwoods! The course was made by Greg Brock back in the 80s (maybe late 70’s). I’m sure he can share some of the history better than I can but it’s one of those courses that makes you fall in love with the sport.
Please feel free to add other courses with odd distances that left a lasting impression. For me, I remember the Soquel Invitational course that had a HUGE hill early on in the race that I can remember to this day.
Coach Caruana, I remember racing on that Soquel course in the early 80's. Oakmont (Sac area) made the trip down for an overnighter, slept on the Soquel gym floor, making for a terrible race the next morning. In fact I still have a poster from that meet that shows runners getting up that monster hill. But another iconic course is the Sierra College course. It was Oakmont's home course for all our dual meets, with a 2-mile course or cross the bridge and do the back loop for the 3-mile course. Times were slower than 5K times because of the difficulty. Many big events like SJS Section Championships were held there as well as NorCals, and club races too before it went silent in the early 2000's. The shady trails are a gem, so we get the Whitney runners out there regularly (when not restricted due to the virus).
Thank you, Jerry. Funny you mentioned the overnighter as a few of my teammates decided to go spend the night before the meet and I don't think got much sleep which led to some very poor performances. Our coach was not pleased.
I ran Soquel both my junior and senior years of HS. The huge hill was epic. Definitely one of the more memorable courses. I recall us camping at Henry Cowell state park the night before. Did not get much sleep either. Sierra College course was awesome. Many big races there. Woodward Park of course is the site for every state meet in history and has to be on the list. Crystal Springs has to be on the list for sure. Frogtown is a classic. Lagoon Valley Course is quite memorable with both “Big mama” and “little sister”. The old Nevada Union course was probably my favorite.
Who is going to take on the financial liability, cost & management Hank. When it comes to “doers” I have a little hope (there’s a few but not many out there). When it comes to the CCS or a school district taking this on I have absolutely ZERO hope.
Canyon Middle School Course. 3.0 miles with hills and grass and of course the canyon. Ir runs about 45 seconds slower than the California state meet for the boys, and about 70 seconds slower for the girls. Some legends have run here (Strangio's dad, Kristen Gordon, Jon Stevens, Sara Bei, Jacque Taylor). A real challenge.
Don’t know where to put this but the Governor announced LA & San Diego schools announced distance learning to start the fall. With some of the largest districts in the state not going back locally and state wide no way sports can function. Rumor has it CIF will push things to January and have local mini-seasons. But that’s just pushing tough decisions back even further. These are kids, cancel sports at the state level until things get under control. This whole push is for football. If Texas can cancel football do can we. Sports should be suspended until districts are back full time.
Not 3 mile or 5k so I guess it’s disqualified but but my favorite course was my old home Santa Cruz HS course. The 2.08 mile loop runs through a redwood forest on the UCSC campus and has it all: hills, fire roads & leaf covered single track. Couldn’t handle more than a dual meet numbers wise but there’s been some great duals out there in the redwoods! The course was made by Greg Brock back in the 80s (maybe late 70’s). I’m sure he can share some of the history better than I can but it’s one of those courses that makes you fall in love with the sport.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Josh.
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to add other courses with odd distances that left a lasting impression. For me, I remember the Soquel Invitational course that had a HUGE hill early on in the race that I can remember to this day.
Any others?
Coach Caruana,
ReplyDeleteI remember racing on that Soquel course in the early 80's. Oakmont (Sac area) made the trip down for an overnighter, slept on the Soquel gym floor, making for a terrible race the next morning. In fact I still have a poster from that meet that shows runners getting up that monster hill. But another iconic course is the Sierra College course. It was Oakmont's home course for all our dual meets, with a 2-mile course or cross the bridge and do the back loop for the 3-mile course. Times were slower than 5K times because of the difficulty. Many big events like SJS Section Championships were held there as well as NorCals, and club races too before it went silent in the early 2000's. The shady trails are a gem, so we get the Whitney runners out there regularly (when not restricted due to the virus).
Thank you, Jerry. Funny you mentioned the overnighter as a few of my teammates decided to go spend the night before the meet and I don't think got much sleep which led to some very poor performances. Our coach was not pleased.
ReplyDeleteI ran Soquel both my junior and senior years of HS. The huge hill was epic. Definitely one of the more memorable courses. I recall us camping at Henry Cowell state park the night before. Did not get much sleep either. Sierra College course was awesome. Many big races there. Woodward Park of course is the site for every state meet in history and has to be on the list. Crystal Springs has to be on the list for sure. Frogtown is a classic. Lagoon Valley Course is quite memorable with both “Big mama” and “little sister”. The old Nevada Union course was probably my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThanks for chiming in Harold.
ReplyDeleteI know it's been discussed so much already, but crystal springs. Certainly a very recognizable and iconic course in California.
ReplyDelete@3:53 not three miles or 5k. Doesn’t meet the criteria not to mention is is closed and it likely won’t ever be run on again.
ReplyDeleteYe of so little faith.
ReplyDeletehank
Who is going to take on the financial liability, cost & management Hank. When it comes to “doers” I have a little hope (there’s a few but not many out there). When it comes to the CCS or a school district taking this on I have absolutely ZERO hope.
ReplyDeleteCanyon Middle School Course. 3.0 miles with hills and grass and of course the canyon. Ir runs about 45 seconds slower than the California state meet for the boys, and about 70 seconds slower for the girls. Some legends have run here (Strangio's dad, Kristen Gordon, Jon Stevens, Sara Bei, Jacque Taylor). A real challenge.
ReplyDeleteJoaquin Miller Park in the Oakland hills is a bear.
ReplyDeleteDon’t know where to put this but the Governor announced LA & San Diego schools announced distance learning to start the fall. With some of the largest districts in the state not going back locally and state wide no way sports can function. Rumor has it CIF will push things to January and have local mini-seasons. But that’s just pushing tough decisions back even further. These are kids, cancel sports at the state level until things get under control. This whole push is for football. If Texas can cancel football do can we. Sports should be suspended until districts are back full time.
ReplyDelete