Shell Ridge

Walnut Creek
Sunday, Mar. 9, 2003

Contact: Ian Tidswell, 415-681-7075

Our event this year will have the full range of courses. The beginner white and yellow courses will follow the standard format and lengths. The advanced courses will be in the "short course format. This format features courses that are approximately 50% of traditional course length, but have a similar number of controls. This takes the emphasis away from route choice and endurance, and towards fast, efficient control location and the ability to maintain higher speeds for shorter timeframes. The course format is similar to Pt Pinole prologue (2 weeks prior), but will have the traditional staggered starts between 10:00a and 12:30p and lengths designed to hit the target winning times.

We would encourage you to enter your regular courses and try to keep up a higher pace (since that's the point of the event!). If you would like a longer workout we'd suggest you run a second course - from the four advanced courses, you'll be able to run two completely different courses.

We are starting from the northern edge of the map, and courses will be predominately in the more interesting (but somewhat steep) wooded section of the map in the north. Maps will be printed at 1:10,000. We are planning to use e-punch for orange and advanced courses, so please bring your e-punch stick (rentals available if you don't know what we're talking about). Please note that rest rooms will be available at the school only, which is a ten minute walk from the registration/start area. Please plan appropriately. Poison oak prevalence in the park is low, but if you are very sensitive, please take precautions.

Course      Length      Climb       Navigational challenge

White         2.0k        80m       Beginner
Yellow        2.5k       100m       Beginner/intermediate
Orange        3.0k       170m       Intermediate
Brown         1.8k       130m       Advanced
Green         2.5k       170m       Advanced
Red           3.0k       220m       Advanced
Blue          3.7k       290m       Advanced

Directions

From I-680 in Walnut Creek, exit onto Ygnacio Valley Road and head east approximately 2.3 miles to Walnut Avenue (NOT Walnut Boulevard). Turn right on Walnut Avenue and go 1.5 miles to Oak Grove. Turn right onto Oak Grove and immediately veer right onto Castle Rock Road. Northgate High School is on the right about 0.5 mile along Castle Rock Road. Park in the school lot closest to the hills, past the buildings. Registration and starts will be about a ten minute walk from the lot along Castle Rock Road, right on Comistas Drive, and left on Hanna Grove Trail.