Athletics: The Country's Best Marathon? Think Gold & Hills

By JAMES RAIA

A strong case can be made for California as the country's most diverse and active state for marathons. The Napa Valley to downtown Los Angeles, the Humboldt Redwoods to San Diego, runners with a desire to run 26.2 miles have near-endless choices.

But after experiencing a good cross-section of the state's marathons in the past 20 years, one of the smallest, no-frill events stands out as the finest -- at least in my opinion.

It's also likely, thought, many runners don't know the Gold Country Marathon in Nevada City exists.

The beauty of the event, scheduled June 6, is that it has so few runners. In contrast to the popular City of Los Angeles Marathon, Rock & Roll Marathon in San Diego and Big Sur International Marathon on the Monterey Peninsula - all huge events - there are often less than 50 entrants in the Gold Country Marathon.

As such, Christian Team Ministries, Inc., the organizing group, has several times considered canceling the race held in conjunction with a 5km walk, 5km, 10km and half-marathon - all under the umbrella name of the Gold Country Races.

But the race is still around and this year will be held for the 26th consecutive year.

Beyond the intimacy of the gathering, the Gold Country Marathon is appealing because of its simplicity, its panoramic, back-country course and economic value.

While many marathons now charge nearly $100, standard registration for the Gold Country Marathon is $30 (Prior to May 25).

And while aid stations are hardly elaborate and entrants' T-shirts are sub-par, volunteers are attentive and cordial. But the overwhelming appeal of the Gold Country Marathon is its refreshing back-to-basics approach combined with challeging course.

The mixed road and trail course has several strenuous ascents, including an estimated 1,500-foot, three-mile climb up St. Augustine Hill beginning at about mile 15. In all, there's more than 2,600 feet of total climbing. The mid-race journey, at least equivalent to the climbs in several of Northern California's most difficult ultramarathons, amounts to a 45-minute walk.

Since the race is presented by a Christian organization, the marathon's 6:30 a.m. start is preceded by a simple sunrise prayer. The field then meanders its way through the far end of a near-empty downtown Nevada City.

The first half of the course includes rolling hills, serene trails and back-country asphalt roads. Several years ago, during the second of five times participating in the race, the previous night's rain helped permeate the air with a sweet, fresh smell.

With country homes, barns, grazing floppy-eared cows and curious horses providing the scenery, the early morning unfolded as long-distance running at its finest.

After a steady incline, the course veers right onto a gravel road and then a steady descent on ragged, rocky terrain. Within a short while, the trail becomes single track dirt course and progresses along vine-covered flumes.

For the next few miles, the route includes wooden foot bridges, several breathtakingly scenic vistas and a few obstacle course crossings - all in preparation for the aforementioned gargantuan ascent.

The course eventually reconnects to the early race route. It finishes with a jaunt through Nevada City, this time with the downtown abuzz with locals and tourists sipping coffee in breakfast haunts or cruising the shops.

Estimates vary, but most middle-of-the-pack runners should expect to add at least 45 minutes to their average marathon finishing times. Carrying a water bottle is recommended.

If your race has gone well and your appetite is intact, the finish area of the Gold Country Marathon is a welcomed sight. It includes a buffet of homemade delights - salads, fried chicken, cookies, cakes, breads, soda, iced tea, etc.

A folk guitarist usually plays selections while the awards are presented in a straightforward folksy manner, as if the race organizers are distributing ribbons for the best peach cobbler at a county fair.

For information on the Gold Country Races or other events presented by the organization, visit the web site: ChristianTeam.org or contact Nick Vogt, Christian Runners' Association, 1025 Grange Rd., Meadow Vista, CA 95722, Tel. (530) 878-0697.

© Copyright 2004, James Raia

Posted with the permission of James Raia.

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