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Hunter S. Thompson Fear & Loathing 50K 2001 Report(CA): Jim Winne

San Francisco, CA
12/15/01

Well, this was certainly a different running experience from what I'm
use to. As a die-hard trail runner, pavement is usually something to
experience only in exceedingly small doses or when there is no other
alternative. However, I found the the idea of running 31 miles through
the streets of San Francisco to be strangely compelling. So at 7AM
I joined a group of about 30 other folks at the top of Twin Peaks for
this low key fun run. Well, low key for most of us, but when I saw
Ann Trason and Carl Andersen I knew not all of us!

The 50K follows the 49 Mile Scenic Drive for 25 circuitous miles
from Twin Peaks through the Presidio before veering off at 30th Ave.
to cut  through Golden Gate park and rejoin the SD for the last 3M
back up to Twin Peaks (the 50M option follows the SD the whole
way).

Being fairly unfamiliar with the City, other than to take the occasional
house guest in for a quick tour, I wasn't sure what to expect but it was
GREAT! We ran through the Mission, past Pac Bell Park, along the
Embarcadero, through downtown, up Market to the U.N. Plaza/Civic
Center, through Japantown, Chinatown and North Beach up to Coit
Tower, past Fisherman's Wharf to Marina Green, the Presidio, Sea
Cliff, Golden Gate Park and finally back to the top of Twin Peaks.

The sights, sounds, and even the smells (most of which were good :-))
were truly invigorating. And the weather can only be described with
one word - perfection! It was crystal clear at the start with
spectacular views of the city lights below and in the distance Mt.
Diablo to the east and the Marin Headlands to the north looked close
enough to touch. It stayed sunny all day with no wind and temps
around 60.

I was apprehensive about dodging traffic and pedestrians,
as well as some of the more "eccentric" denizens of the City, but it
was no problem and I didn't even have any close calls other than one
"jay-running" episode where I almost darted in front of 3 motorcycle
cops! The one surprise I had was how hilly the course was. I know
SF has some hills, but when driving you don't really "appreciate" them!

RDs Hollis Lederking and Pam Shaughnessy had a great group of
volunteers providing aid out of their cars every 5-7 miles. As I said,
it's a low key type run and no one was racing, but given my feeble
lack of training for the past few months I was very happy with my
effort considering an extended pit stop (a BIG difference from trail
running is you try to go when there's a facility available as opposed to
behind the nearest tree!) and several navigational malfunctions :-) But
most of all I was ecstatic that I was able to run all the last 2 uphill
miles. And much to my surprise, after 31M of pavement I had no
soreness!

No matter how familiar you are with the City, this is truly a unique
way to experience it's many facets. So for all you locals that haven't
done this one, and anyone else who might find themselves in the San
Francisco Bay Area in the middle of December, I highly recomend
you do so at least once.


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 Jim Winne
 Walnut Creek, CA