Pac Striders Weekend Run, Sun Feb 27, 8:45, Couples Relay or Inspiration Point

Hi Everyone,
The Couples Relay at Lake Merritt is the official weekend run. Jessica
and I will be there to defend our somewhere in the middle of the pack
status. The good news is we move up in age group this year (runners
are perverse)! The bad news is that the majority team contributor to
this change in status is feeling his age! For those of you who prefer
the traditional Sunday Run, Inspiration Point is a safe bet in this
rainy period. Information for both runs is below.
Have a good weekend,
Mike

COUPLES RELAY

LOCATION
The race will begin at the Sailboat House, 568 Bellevue Ave. in
Oakland. Enter the park at the intersection of Grand Ave. & Bellevue
Ave. The Sailboat House is about 1/2 mile from the entrance. There
is a $5 charge to enter the park. You can also enter the park at
Perkins St. & Grand Ave. to avoid the charge. It is a 2-3 block walk
to the starting line. More detailed directions can be found on the
registration brochure.

WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR BIB NUMBERS
You can pick-up your team bib numbers and goody bag (one per team for
the first 150 teams) on race morning at the "Pre-Registered Runners"
table from 8:00 a.m. until the start of the race at 9:00 a.m. PLEASE
NOTE: The bib numbers for both runners on your team will be filed under
the FEMALE RUNNER'S LAST NAME. If your team is an all-female or
all-male then the bib number will be filed under the name of the person
who registered the team. Each team will receive two great reusable
ChicoBags plus donated items from sponsors including Divine Chocolates,
Innersports, Pop Chips, Attune, Transports, and Body Mechanix. Goody
bags are only guaranteed to be available for the first 150 teams that
registered.

WARM UP, FOOD, PRIZES & MORE!
Body Mechanix trainers will be conducting a complimentary group warm up
starting at 8:30 a.m. The group warmup is designed to maximize runners'
performance as well as prevent injuries. Snacks and drinks will be
available after the race from Whole Foods, Farmer Joe's Market and
Honest Tea. The awards ceremony will take place around 10:15 a.m. so
stick around. Great prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in
each age division plus every team has a chance to win great raffle
prizes (must be present to claim your prize) from sponsors including
Sports Basement, Total Ice Therapy, Road ID, See Jane Run, and
Lululemon.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There is major construction going on all around the lake. We will have
volunteers on the course to help you navigate the tight spots, but
please be courteous to other runners as well as pedestrians enjoying
the lake. In addition, there will be a bonsai exhibit at the Garden
Center which may cause additional traffic on Bellevue Avenue so as you
head toward the finish line watch out for cars and pedestrians.

INSPIRATION POINT DIRECTIONS:

From downtown Oakland and points West: go thru the Caldecott tunnel on Hwy 24 to the Orinda/Moraga exit. Turn left at the stoplight onto Camino Pablo, which will turn into San Pablo Dam Rd. Proceed about 2 miles to the traffic light at Wildcat Canyon and Bear Creek Roads. Turn left onto Wildcat Canyon Rd. Go uphill 2.5 miles to the parking lot at the top of the ridge.

From Walnut Creek and points east: Head East on Hwy 24 take the Orinda/Moraga exit and stay right toward Orinda Village. Once on Camino Pablo, proceed as above.

From Berkeley/Albany, Wildcat Canyon Road can be accessed from Grizzly Peak Blvd. via South Park Dr. (closed for newts November 1 - April 1) or Shasta Rd.