Joseph D. Grant County Park
Date: (Sun.) Apr. 30, 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Event Directors: 
- 408.878.5073, - 510.886.7360
Course Setters: Derek Maclean, Dean French
Type: B; Standard seven courses (White through Blue)
Joseph Grant County Park lies in a valley between the Santa Clara Valley and Mount Hamilton. The park, which is moderately hilly, includes a mix of oak forest and large open areas with plenty of topographic variety. At this time of the year, the hills are green and the wildflowers are out in force!
This spring's event will feature White, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Green, Red, and Blue courses. The advanced courses will be slightly easier than normal, so you might consider moving up a color. A Long Orange course will not be offered, so Long Orange runners might consider running Brown. The Brown course will be only slightly more challenging than Orange, but will reach some more remote parts of the park.
Comment from Derek Maclean, course setter for the advanced courses: "Based on our vetters' runs, I feel confident to say that people should not fear running up a course here if they are so inclined. And I hope that people do not run down a course based on their experience last year."
Electronic punching will be used for all courses, including White and Yellow. Participants who do not have an estick will need to rent one at a cost of $3.00. (Every entry – individual or group – will need an estick.)
Bring your friends, family, and coworkers, and enjoy the day with us. Picnic tables and restrooms are near the registration area. There is camping with showers available in the park (the gates lock at sunset).
Registration will be open from 9:00 AM to noon. Short beginner's clinics will be given from 9:30 to 10:30. Starts will be available from 10:00 to 12:30 (i.e., you can start any time during that period). Starts for all courses will be near the registration area; however, the Brown, Green, Red, and Blue courses will have a 1.5 km walk back from the Finish.
The course lengths and climbs are below. See the Course Setters' Notes for more information.
Course Length Climb
White 2.7 km 60 m Yellow 3.6 km 130 m Orange 3.9 km 150 m Brown 4.0 km 190 m Green 4.8 km 240 m Red 5.8 km 290 m Blue 6.6 km 330 m
This will be a good event for groups. Please let us know ahead of time if you are coming with a group of 8 or more (tell us what course[s] you will be doing). We want to be sure to have enough maps for your group.
Driving Directions
To reach the park, take I-680 to the Alum Rock Avenue exit in San Jose. Head east on Alum Rock to Mt. Hamilton Road. Take a right onto Mt. Hamilton, and proceed about 7.5 miles to the park entrance, which will be on your right.
After paying the $5 entry fee (which might require exact change), go about 0.25 mile to the parking area designated by the O' signs.