Summit Peak Half Marathon

Hannah and Eric run during the week at work and are generally in pretty good shape.  So, it wasn't a complete surprise earlier in the year when they set a goal of participating in a half marathon before the end of 2011.  So, as the year waned Hannah looked around for a nearby half marathon to participate in.  Having stumbled upon the Summit Peak Half Marathon in nearby Saratoga, she checked out the website and saw a bunch of smiling, happy participants; just what she was looking for.  They seemed happy.. so she signed up and then got Eric to come along with her.

On December 10th Hannah and Eric were off to the Summit Peak Half Marathon.  Julie and I were invited along as their support staff providing such important services as a ride to the race location, photography, in-race cheering and post race buffet.  We were honored to have the chance to participate.

The course map is shown below.


Now, right off the bat, there are some subtle clues that this might not be your normal, relatively flat, half-marathon.  For instance, the name of the race includes the words 'Summit' - which is not a word associated with low elevations.  Also, the word 'Peak' is used.  Another word not generally used together with the terms 'flat', 'level' or 'easy'.  A third clue might have been when you looked at the map and noticed elevation rings.  Many elevation rings.   Oh, at the race course is located in the Santa Cruz MOUNTAINS.

As we climbed up road to Sanborn County Park I think it started to dawn on the kids that this wasn't going to be a simple run in the park.  The windy, uphill road snaked through the redwoods until we reached our location.

Undaunted, the kids checked in and got their race numbers and prepared to get going.

As I was checking with the race staff to determine where we could go to cheer for Hannah and Eric it became obvious this was a unique course.  The race was run entirely on wilderness trails and there was only 1 place (at the half-way turnaround) where observers could park to encourage their racers.  At that point Julie and I decided to split up.  She would go to the turnaround in the car and I would take off (since it was more than 30 minutes to race start) on foot and go find a place along the course where I could take photographs.   So, armed with my camera I was off through the start and walking.

Immediately, I started to get concerned for the kids.  You see, after the first 100 yards or so the course starts a continuous upward track - relatively steep in many places.  As it turns out - this little chart - which Eric found after the fact - might have been very helpful as they were evaluating which race to enter ;)

As you can see - the course is a significant uphill for the entire first 4 miles.  Then, the course meanders up and down for the next couple miles - reversing the pattern on the return (it's a back and forth course).  In all there is over 1/2 mile of elevation change during the race!

I was able to cover the first 2.5 miles or so before finding a spot where I could get good pictures (and a good workout myself).  I worried as I waited for our racers to come by.

Fortunately, as I spied them down the hill on a switchback (note the narrow trail they were running on) they were in excellent spirits!  Note: the pictures are dark because it was early in the morning and in the middle of a forest.

As they came up the hill and ran by me they looked like they were doing very well!  I cheered them on and then they were off - continually gaining altitude!

Well, it was going to be awhile before I saw them again (they had to SUMMIT and then come back down) - so I moved my location down to about 1.25 miles from the finish (around mile 12).  I remember running a long, tough race and it was an incredible encouragement to me to have my family and friends there to cheer me on.  And there were so many random people along the course that would cheer for all the participants.  So, this was my opportunity to give something back.  Knowing I was one of the few non-racers on the course - I really got into encouraging every racer as they ran by.  It was an easy thing to do because having walked just a portion of the course I was incredibly impressed with anyone that would finish this race.

It was an inspirational moment to finally spot Hannah and Eric coming towards me.  They may not have noticed, but it really got me all choked up.   So - I snapped away with the camera and cheered for them!  Only a mile or so more to go... and it's all down hill!!  I knew they would be fine.  Don't they look great?!

In a flash they were by me and approaching the aid station.  A few gummy bears and a last drink of water and they were off - racing towards the finish and the achievement of a difficult goal.

As I started my own trek down to meet them at the finish I had a chance to reflect on their achievement.  I was absolutely certain they had no idea just how difficult this race would be.  I would guess they are both capable of running the distance on a relatively flat course in a couple hours or so - give or take.  This race would take them over 3 hours.  And yet, they kept their composure and seemed to actually thrive on the difficulty.  Also, they stayed together throughout.  That is an admirable trait - to come alongside your friend and provide mutual encouragement to achieve a difficult goal.  I was filled with pride as I returned to the start to see them reveling in their accomplishment.

Way to go Hannah and Eric!  You should be very proud of yourselves.

Can't wait to go to your next race!