Get a Leg Up - Scenic Running Events in San Francisco

While the rest of the country is being pummeled with snow and crummy weather, and spring break is nearly upon us, why not take a trip out to San Francisco? Local athletes are quite spoiled with the year-round temperate climate and minimal rain. There are two mid-distance running events coming up here that rival eachother in terms of scenery and physical challenge. You won't get a healthier tour of the city (well, not without a bike, anyway)!

So come and enjoy these scenic, challenging, and community building events to get a real feel for how beautiful and warm San Francisco is!

Emerald Nuts Across the Bay 12k - March 16th
This race starts at Fort Baker at the foot of the Northern side of the Golden Gate Bridge, then charges uphill to where Hwy 101 takes commuters over the GGB. Catching your breath while running the bridge would be easy, if it weren't for the breath-taking view of the sun rising over the San Francisco skyline as you cross over the bay. Once over the bridge, the race charges downhill to Chrissy Field, former military air strip-turned recreational hotspot. The rest of the race is a fast, flat route along the water and a few yacht clubs, through a small park and ends at Aquatic Park, in the heart of San Francisco's famous Fisherman's Warf.

Join the 25th anniversary of this race, named the best cross bridge run in America by Runners World and benefit the Edgewood Center for Children and Families. Edgewood helps children and families take back their future by working with them to overcome severe challenges like abuse, neglect, mental illness, and family crisis. The oldest children's charity in the western U.S., Edgewood began as a refuge for Gold Rush orphans more than 150 years ago. Edgewood serves more than 5,000 children and families in the Bay Area each year through community and residential programs. To learn more visit www.edgewood.org.

Presidio 10k/10mi - April 6th
Both the 10k and 10-mile courses start and finish at Chrissy Field and cross the Golden Gate Bridge, though the 10-milers will spend more time touring the lush greenery and hilly landscape of the Presidio. The race has overwhelming community and participant support because of its close ties to the race beneficiaries, The Guardsmen and the Ashlyn Dyer Foundation.

Ashlyn Dyer was a college volleyball star who was fatally injured by a hit-and-run accident while jogging in the Presidio two years ago. Because the driver didn't stop or call for help, Ashlyn eventually passed away from her severe brain trauma. The Foundation was created in her name to raise awareness and funds for neurological research. Her then fiancé was a member of the Guardsmen, a local community volunteer organization that supports programs for at-risk Bay Area youth through indoor and outdoor education programs.