4-Peaks Challenge
RULES & INSTRUCTIONS
Everyone starts at Kezar track at 9:00 am.
There is no set route, no set distance, and no boundaries. To successfully complete the course, you must run to and check-in with volunteers stationed at all 4 peaks [Mt. Sutro, Twin Peaks (north and south peaks), and Mt. Davidson]. To view a couple of previously vetted routes, click here.
You are not required to run with your teammates (but are encouraged to run with someone if you don't know the shortcuts). Team scores are based on combined time/handicap so you are better off running as fast as you can.
Along the way, abide by all traffic and property laws. There are a lot of public shortcuts including trails, stairs, and paths that you can take, just don't go on any private property.
Return to the track. For the finish, you must cross the start line and then run one complete counter-clockwise lap around the track. Once you complete this lap, your time is recorded.
Similar to other pamaBEAST events, individual and team scoring is weighted based on whatever age/gender group you are in.
There is a team competition component to this event. It's a little more complicated, but in short you can improve your team score with optional bonus laps before your final teammate finishes. This also means if you don't want to complete all 4 peaks, you can still contribute points at the track. Teams are 3-person, so if you have 2 friends you want to team up with, let us know. Otherwise, we'll put the teams together race day morning.
Rites of Spring
RULES & INSTRUCTIONS
Race starts at 4:00 pm at the corner of Harding Road & Skyline Boulevard.
The run is an one-of-a-kind race where the crowds are at the finish and not at the start.
Course is 4.46 miles
Even years: We will do the Portsmouth Start. All runners get a starting time offset, based on World Masters Athletics performance standards for age and gender. At the start of the race, we'll begin counting down, from the highest offset time of 26 minutes to zero.
Odd years: We will do the Chanman Start, which we implemented for the first time in 2023. This format rewards improvement by setting offsets based on your most recent Lake Merced race.