Head north, across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County and get ready for the race of your life. Choose one: the Enviro-Sports Golden Gate Headland Marathon set for this coming Saturday, March 31 or the Marin County Marathon, slated for a week later, on Saturday April 7.
The Golden Gate Headlands affair makes you forget the pain of pushing through to your second wind, of growing those magic extra pair of legs that every marathoner needs. Simply put, the scenery is the salve for all those aches and pains. It’s magnificent.
As you summit the Golden Gate Headland’s course, glance east. The view of San Francisco Bay almost literally knocks your socks off. To the west there’s the vast Pacific. Up ahead lies the competition. Just maybe you’ll get a glimpse of your reflection mirrored in an opponent’s sunglasses. Then you’ll realize who the real competition is: yourself.
The race itself is sold out this year. But you can still find an appropriate perch and cheer on the field.
The Sustainable Sports Foundation organizes the Marin County Marathon. Like the Headland’s race, this course is challenging and tremendously scenic. It’s also good for the soul. That’s because all net proceeds from the marathon go to some very good causes, such as the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.
Running really does raise consciousness – and it’s not just because those endearing endorphins kick in. There can be a spiritual mind meld that manifests itself somewhere after you’ve passed the personal point of no return out there on the course. That’s where running the race for something other than setting a personal best becomes important.
The Marin County Marathon offers just that opportunity.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: doug_wertman)
