EK Phipps Park 3k/5k Course Tour

Phipps 3Km/5Km map from 3Sep07 GPS track: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3847530 Load the .kml into Google Earth and make a better map. Basic course map depicting splits, park road markers, coaches' shortcut to 1M point, and parking access.

(Map revised 24Oct06. Includes coach's hiking trail shortcut to 1M split. It is just over 700m from the 5K finish to the 1M point, using the shortcut.) The Phipps course was initially designed for the 2006 Cougar XC Challenge 3k/5k. Aerial View (from "Google Earth), showing treelines, etc. I worked on this course with Godby Coach Chris Sumner. Races start and finish in the Phipps Park "Oak Hammock." To get to the venue, take Meridian Rd about 1M north from Maclay School. Just past Forestmeadows Athletic Center, turn left (west) onto Miller Landing Rd. Gate "B" is 1.3M west of Meridian. Race Start/Finish is just west of RM#22, 1K south of Gate B. Approach Gate B with caution, as sight distance is poor on that section of Miller Landing Rd. Special thanks to Northwest Florida Water Management District and TPRD's Chuck Goodheart, Pat Simpson, Carlos, and Jimbo!

(Map revised 24Oct06. Includes coach's hiking trail shortcut to 1M split. It is just over 700m from the 5K finish to the 1M point, using the shortcut.) The Phipps course was initially designed for the 2006 Cougar XC Challenge 3k/5k. I worked on this course with Godby Coach Chris Sumner. Races start and finish in the Phipps Park "Oak Hammock." To get to the venue, take Meridian Rd about 1M north from Maclay School. Just past Forestmeadows Athletic Center, turn left (west) onto Miller Landing Rd. Gate "B" is 1.3M west of Meridian. Race Start/Finish is just west of RM#22, 1K south of Gate B. Approach Gate B with caution, as sight distance is poor on that section of Miller Landing Rd. Special thanks to Northwest Florida Water Management District and TPRD's Chuck Goodheart, Pat Simpson, Carlos, and Jimbo!

An old map I last modified in 2001. Still useful to figure all the "segments" of doubletrack in Phipps Park. Lots of folks just do all their running across the street (east of Meridian) on the Overstreet trails, 'cause they're afraid of getting lost over here.

Sitting at the 3K/5K START line, the Pugsley's ready to go.

START line, looking right (somewhat south of west), into a portion of the Oak Hammock.

START line, looking left (somewhat north of east). This area was referred to as "Florida Field" by the late Mr. John Phipps. In case you missed it, we're in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park.

(This is one of the shots I've mixed in from before the 16 Sept 06 Godby Cougar XC Challenge. They were all shot at 18mm, a 27mm 35mm equivalent. As though that'll make sense to you.) START FUNNEL The Pugsley is centered on the start line. Keep it straight ahead. In about 100m, you'll cross a doubletrack. (As you cross it, the 5k finish will be just to your left.) In 240m, you'll hit the "Truck Superhighway" doubletrack. Wide-angle view. Things are closer than they appear.

START Ok, back to the standard view.

50m

100m The 3k and 5k finishes will be just to the left down this "jeep road."

150m

200m We'll be turning onto the "Truck Superhighway" jeep road at 240m.

I've backed up a bit for perspective. We came from my right onto the Truck Superhighway. Pugsley's at 240m into the course. Fast running downhill or flat till 1200m. Don't waste that! Wide-angle view. Things are closer than they appear.

250m

300m

350m

400m

Another look from 400m, the Pine Grove is to our right, Lake Victoria to our left/ahead. Heading ~SSW. The Truck Superhighway will curve right (westward), just ahead. Wide-angle view. Things are closer than they appear.

450m

500m

550m

570m into the course. You might note that we've gotten the course tread "defined" by mowing. That's more evident up ahead. We turn off the Truck Superhighway onto the interior woods trail in 630m. Back in 2001, we held an off-road downhill mile here. This was about the 1Km point. I sure miss raking 50 pounds of hickory nuts off that course. Wide-angle view. Things are closer than they appear.

600m

650m

700m

750m

800m

Another 800m look, from when the tread was freshly mowed. We'll weave right, then left just ahead as we approach and pass the kilometer. Wide-angle view. Things are closer than they appear.