On Sunday, Jamie and I ran the Presidio 10 Mile race in San Francisco. I was really excited to participate in this event: it’s one of the last big races in the city I hadn’t raced, and it’s well-timed long run with Mountains 2 Beach Half Marathon next month.
I didn’t have any real time goals in mind other than to run a consistent effort on the hilly course. Jamie had been experiencing some knee pain during the week leading up to the race and was considering dropping down to the 10K. We decided to start together and see where the run took us.
Jamie and I post-race.
The Presidio 10 Miler began on Chrissy Field and immediately took runners uphill toward the Golden Gate Bridge. These first few miles were unrelentingly hilly and exactly what I was expecting. Jesse and I love running in the Presidio because of its hills, greenery, and seclusion. It was an absolutely beautiful morning to run; when we started at 8am, it was about 50 degrees without a cloud in the sky, and when we ended, temperatures were nearing 70 degrees.
We skirted part of the Presidio’s western perimeter before looping back to the bridge just before mile four. After completing nearly four miles on the bridge, we ran down towards Fort Point (under the bridge) and then past the finish line to make a final loop before crossing the finish line.
Course map.
I have to admit: I was a little disappointed in the race course. The Presidio is expansive and contains all kinds of roads and trail networks, and we spent less than half of the race actually within the Presidio (I personally don’t count Chrissy Field as the Presidio).
Map of the Presidio.
Although we never stopped at any of the aid stations, they were placed about every two miles, which was very convenient.
After we crossed the finish line in about 1:35, we chugged a few Hint waters and collected ourselves. The most impressive part of this race was the after-run feast: hot breakfast with eggs, pancakes, and sausage, and booths with Bloody Marys and beer! The only other race I’ve ran that’s featured hot food is North Face, and I wasn’t expecting such a production at a low-key race.
After the race, Jesse and I headed to the Presidio for yet another event: Off the Grid’s Picnic at the Presidio. We met up with a few friends and indulged in food trucks with Indian soul food and snow cones and enjoyed soaking up the sun. It was a lovely, Presidio-filled Sunday!
Presidio Picnic, Off the Grid
Single-tracked Mind 
Wow, a hot breakfast for a 10-miler! How cool!
Love doing a race with a friend with no time goal :).
Yes! My idea of fun. 😀
So bad that you were excited and it ended up being a little disappointing… but anyway, good job 😉
Thanks! If running on the Golden Gate Bridge is my biggest disappointment, I’d say I have it pretty good. 😀
That looks like that was an awesome time!
Thank you! It was great fun.
Congratulations! That breakfast sounds soooo yummy. Glad you had a fun post-race day too! It looks like you are already getting into great shape for Mountains to Beach. Do you have any big goals in mind??
Haha, I’m trying!!! I’m hoping to run a 1:55. Depending on his prognosis at the time, Jesse may pace me, which would help substantially.
I think you can totally nab that with how you’ve been running lately – especially on a down hill course!!
This sounds like a ton of fun. Hot food after a race is a major bonus. After Rock’s first race a local restaurant hosted brunch right on the course. He had no idea how lucky he was. The half I am training the athletes for right now has a pancake breakfast after and you better believe I used that as marketing to get more registrations! Beautiful pics by the way.
Hot food is a total game changer. How spoiled Rock got for his first race! It’s definitely not the norm but it should be!
Ooh, a hot breakfast after a race? That sounds amazing. We have one race out here that does that but somehow I have never actually eaten the food. Great race! So cool that you guys ran it together!
Which race is it? near SLO?
It is, it’s the HOB Fun run up in Paso, but the spread doesn’t look as impressive as that breakfast
They handed out HINT water AND has a bomb diggity feast- wish more races were like that! Stinks the course wasn’t all that fun. Glad you had a Sunday Funday!
Me too! Hint + real, hot food = win!
I loved reading this because I LOVE San Fran. We vacationed there almost 3 years ago and I did a couple runs in the Presidio. I no exactly what hills you are talking about- ouch!
This is what I will always remember about the Presidio. On our last morning in San Fran before driving down to Monterey, my hubby and I rode our bikes from our hotel (near that curvy Lombard St.) all the way to Golden Gate Park. I though I had an easy/direct route to get there but it took us FOREVER, and by the time we got to Golden Gate Park, we were lost (as to exactly where we were in the park) and had to make our way down to Fisherman’s Wharf to return our bikes. We needed to get down to the Presidio, and I knew the way from there. But I had no clue how to get to the Presidio from Golden Gate Park. We were tired, hungry, and REALLY grumpy. Well, a man on a bike overheard us talking about how we didn’t know how to get to the Presidio and he said, “Follow me! I am heading there now. I work there.” So we followed this guardian angel all the way on his bike to the Presidio. He told us he even helped design parts of it. We were so lucky! We even got back to Fisherman’s Wharf in time to return our bikes. Poor planning by me, but we made it out okay. 🙂
What a story! I’m glad a nice SF guardian angel directed you back to Fisherman’s Wharf. Jesse and I live right between the crooked part of Lombard and Fisherman’s Wharf and lost tourists are a common sight! Biking from Lombard to Golden Gate Park is no joke – I’m glad you made it back safe!
Great job out there!! This race sounds awesome especially those post-race eats! I’ve never heard of a full breakfast like that after a race!
I know, the food was epic. Highly recommend finding races with hot food afterwards!
Congrats, Taylor! Sounds like one of the best post-race feasts out there. I always love getting brunch after a good long race and they gave you one included in your race entry – awesome!!
Thanks Charissa! It was awesome and so rare!
Two events that are on my to do list – The Presidio 10 and Off the Grid. Sounds like you had a solid race and an awesome day. Congrats!
Thanks Jane! It was a great day and the two events were both solid. I’d highly recommend!
Regardless of how it turned out with your expectations at least you took part – looks good to me 🙂
Thanks Keith! It was a great way to spend a day, that’s for sure!
Awesome job!! Nice race back from the ITB problems! That is too bad that they don’t use more of the Presido. Do you think it is because of blocking off roads or because people want to go over the bridge?
What a great day. The picnic in the Presido sounds super fun too!
Great race report. Suddenly, the Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run seems quite tame. Love the food component.
Glad that you and Jamie got to run together! Shame about the course – it seems like every race in SF brings you across the GG bridge?
Pretty much. It’s awesome but there are other good places to run!
It was great running with you again!!