Prefontaine Course Tour 2006

NOTE: I do not know if this version of the course will be used for any future edition of the race. Misc. course notes: 800m is back of the cul-de-sac after the ravine hill climb; 1200m is the turn off Aenon Church Road onto the Mogul Trail; 3k (2nd loop) is about the same as the 250m point; 3M is the giant stump as you turn off the loop toward the finish; 5k is the small stump as you're heading toward the beach 70m south of final turn. THIS SITE is private property, and doesn't necessarily represent any other individual or organization. You are welcome to download/use my photos for your private enjoyment, including printing them. Any other usage/linking must come from me in writing (email ok), with credit given. Questions, pre-scoldings, comments, ID, complaints? Thanks, John Kalin Email me Facebook To comment, please YouTube. "If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks

It helps if you print the map, then refer to it as you view the photos. North is LEFT!
START 5Km It helps if you print the map, then refer to it as you view the photos. We'll be back here at 2800m.
START Looking across the start line to the left, toward the lake/finish area. [We actually began ~10m behind this point.]
START Looking across the start line to the right. Start ribbon is in the tree branches directly in line with/above the Pugsley's handlebars. [We actually started about 10m behind this point. It allowed a better line just before entering the woods trail.]
50m
100m Note we need to avoid that corner of the parking lot. Cones, race workers can funnel the racers toward that sign. Remember, TWO loops.
150m I'm going to first show the way we've been running the course. Yes, even though this is a new course, right? [Those who were at the '06 race know that we did not use this left route.] We'll take the left paved fork just ahead, into the left parking lot. I think this is an easily avoided mistake, with the potential for safety issues. I'll demonstrate a better way after the next few shots. Hint: it's in the grass to the right.
200m Be thinking about: 1) What cars in this lot might do. 2) What XC runners, who'd like the advantage of spikes, would think of this route when there's perfectly nice grass over to the right of the other side of the parking lot. 3) The need for race workers in this parking lot on the second loop, as well.
250m
300m
350m End of the "traditional way" to the woods trail. Next up: a better way to accomplish the same thing. Works for the two loops we need to run. Let's head back to the 150m point, ok?
150m Begin John's suggested course revision. [This is indeed the route the runners took in the '06 race.] Purpose: to avoid running across that parking lot (twice); potential for car interference, particularly on the second loop! The course revision shown does not affect the course distance. Instead of passing through the parking lot (left, ahead and previous shots), we'll take the grass to the right of the asphalt, straight ahead. I took photos about every 10m in this sequence so you can see the exact line to 350m, just before we enter the woods.
Ahhhh, nice unobstructed grass. No cars, spikes ok, distance unchanged.
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We're going to go between that old stone water fountain and the tree to its left.
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