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Guide To Bay Area Running Events In April

San Francisco Marathon (credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Bay Area is runner's paradise. The Golden Gate Bridge is considered one of the top destinations for runners to take on. With amazing views and gorgeous vistas, it's no wonder runners from all over the world consider the Bay Area a mecca to run. The same goes for the residents. Almost every county from The Napa Valley to Monterey has some kind of 5K, 10K, full or half marathon. We have compiled a list of some of the races any runner will enjoy.

Annadel Half Marathon
Santa Rosa, CA
5-Apr
annadelhalf.com

Description:

A challenging hilly trail Half Marathon with proceeds going to support the maintenance of the Annadel State Park trail system. The technical course is designed for the experienced runner looking for a challenge.

Santa Teresa County Park King Richard Half Marathon
San Jose, CA
5-Apr
tctruns.com

Description:

Troy's California Trail Runs are some of the most scenic, challenging, and fun runs in California. The Santa Teresa County Park King Richard Half Marathon is one of them! Troy's California provides an environment that is both safe and enjoyable. They believe in a clean environment and want all of their participants to be responsible when it comes to keeping all of our trails pristine and litter free.

Grizzly Peak Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 50K
Berkeley, CA
5-Apr
coastaltrailruns.com

Description:

Starting at Lake Anza, this race travels through the popular Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley hills.

Rock & Roll San Francisco Half Marathon
San Francisco, CA
6-Apr
runrocknroll.competitor.com

Description:

Hundreds of runners will take to the streets of San Francisco this Sunday, April 6 for the second Annual Transamerica Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. After winding its way through the city, the 13 mile run will end at Civic Center Plaza where the indie band "The Neighbourhood" will perform on stage.

Get more at [ 'The Neighbourhood' To Perform At Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon ]

Napa Valley Silverado Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
Calistoga, CA
6-Apr
raceroster.com

Description:

There's no better place to experience the Napa Valley. This exciting road race starts and finishes on the Calistoga High School track, in the heart of Calistoga in the north end of scenic Napa Valley. The course is flat and fast with only two minor hills. Post event festivities will take place in Calistoga. The entire route is surrounded by vineyards and wineries with great vistas of the surrounding mountain ranges including Mt. Saint Helena and the picturesque Palisades. The beautiful spring weather and wildflowers are a sure treat this time of year.

Mt. Tam Wild Boar Half Marathon & 10K™ - 27th Annual
Mill Valley, CA
12-Apr
envirosports.com

Description:

It doesn't get much better than this coastal ridge trail run. Enjoy the rolling singletrack high up on Mt. Tam with views of the Pacific Ocean below. You will follow a combination of paved roadways and dirt singletrack trails offering striking views of Bolinas Lagoon, the Pacific Ocean and Marin County watershed. From the start at Rock Springs, the course follows Ridgecrest Blvd. along the spine of Bolinas Ridge separating East and West Marin County. 10K runners will take a left at Willow Camp Trail and head back to Rock Springs along the Coastal Trail. The Half Marathon course continues along Ridgecrest Blvd. to Bolinas/Fairfax Road and also returns via the Coastal Trail.

Fairfield-Suisun Running Festival Half Marathon
Fairfield, CA
12-Apr
runfairfield.com

Description:

The Fairfield-Suisun Running Festival Half Marathon is a flat and fast road course and weaves through downtown Fairfield. You either take on a 5K, 10K or a half marathon. The races will take place rain or shine.

Carmel Marathon
Carmel, CA
12-Apr
carmelmarathon.com

Description:

The 4th Annual Carmel Marathon Weekend offering a marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, and Horizon Bank 8K (race #1 of the Hoosier Park 8K Triple Crown Series) in Carmel, Indiana (north suburb of Indianapolis). All races utilize the same start and finish line allowing spectators to send them off then cheer the finish. The finish line DJ will keep the area hopping with the VIP area and Beer Garden within the finish line view. There is also the Center Green, a beautiful grassy area to stretch your legs and relax just a few yards from the finish line area.

Santa Cruz Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
Santa Cruz, CA
13-Apr
firstwave-events.com

Description:

The Santa Cruz Half Marathon consists of a 13.1-mile run/walk along scenic West Cliff Drive past breathtaking vistas of the Pacific coastline. Runners then pass through the surrounding neighborhoods and make their way west along a paved path through strawberry fields, past historic farm buildings to Wilder Ranch Sate Park. From there, it's a loop on the Old Cove Landing Trail (unpaved) with incredible views of the rugged ocean bluffs. Runners then retrace their steps back to the finish line festivities on Cowell's Beach just a stone's throw from the start line.

Woodside Ramble Half Marathon, 10K, 35K & 50K
Redwood City, CA
13-Apr
insidetrail.com

Description:

The 5-8 miles between aid stations will fly by as runners enjoy the beautiful trails shaded by towering 2nd and 3rd generation redwoods. The diverse course is linked together With Bear Gulch, Skyline Trail , and a sweet loop on Wunderlich Trail. Huddart Park serves as the perfect staging area for the start and finish and large grassy areas where runners may spread out and lounge while enjoying the post race food.

Pleasanton Run for Education Half Marathon & 5K
Pleasanton, CA
13-Apr
ppierun.com

Description:

See the best Pleasanton has to offer on this flat, fast course. The half marathon loop will showcase beautiful downtown Pleasanton, schools, parks and neighborhoods. The 5K course will also go under the arch and back to the fairgrounds. There will be 6 aid stations and plenty of bathroom stations along the course. Walkers and running strollers are encouraged to participate! The spectator-friendly finish is back in the Alameda County Fairgrounds so your family can cheer you on and hear your name as you cross the finish line. In addition to the Kids' Challenge, there will be fun kids' activities at the expo.

Diablo Trails Challenge Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 50K
Walnut Creek, CA
19-Apr
brazenracing.com

Description:

With distances suitable for everyone from those hitting the trails for the first time to experienced ultra-runners, the Diablo Trails Challenge was created to help celebrate and support these achievements. A portion of all entry fees will go to Save Mount Diablo to help them continue preserving open space and trails for all of us to enjoy.

Marin County Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
San Rafael, CA
19-Apr
marinmarathon.com

Description:

Half Marathon starts at the entrance to the park at Point San Pedro Road. The course begins to the left for an approximate three mile loop along the waters edge. After passing the park, the road begins its series of rolling hill descents through the oaks and and madrones within China Camp State Park. The course turns right off the road and circles Turtle Back Trail for the one mile loop before continuing down the road for another half mile or so. Then turn left at Back Ranch Meadows and step onto one of the worlds most special places, the Shoreline Trail. You follow Shoreline Trail for the loop back up all those rollers you already came down earlier on the parallel road (including our very special Hammer Hill at mile 11 or so). After crossing back over the road, you enter the back side of McNear's Beach along the water for a very memorable, fast finish.

Big Sur International Marathon
Carmel, CA
27-Apr
bsim.org

Description:

The course is from Big Sur to Carmel on scenic Highway One, the nation's first nationally designated Scenic Highway. The course is USATF certified and is an official Boston qualifier. The course reopens to traffic at 1:00 PM, an approximate 6 hour course limit, just over a 14 mpm pace. Sorry, no animals, pacers, skates, skateboards, bikes, baby joggers or children/infants in backpacks allowed on the course. No bandits. No exceptions.

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