It’s supposed to be a HOT weekend…so it’s the perfect weather for a Saturday run at the beach.  We will be joining the California Cruisers for a run at Crystal Cove Beach. Be sure to bring some money along because there is a very nice Farmer’s Market just off of Marguerite Avenue towards the end of our run.  They have beautiful flowers, produce, gourmet olive oils and more! Also…we’ll stop by Bruegger’s Bagels for breakfast after our run.  If you can’t make it out to run on Saturday…please join us in Villa Park on Sunday, where we’ll be running along the paved Santiago Creek Trail.  The 642 group will also be meeting there…so you have the option of doing a 6.42 mile run with them.  Please note: We are meeting at 7 a.m. on Saturday and 6:30 a.m. on Sunday.

SATURDAY: CRYSTAL COVE BEACH RUN (11 miles or less)

We meet at 7 a.m. by the Sherman Library and Gardens at Dahlia Avenue and 4th Avenue, Corona del Mar, 92625.

Driving Directions: Take 55 FWY south to 73 south to MacArthur then a left turn onto Coast Highway (stay on your right), in about 200 feet make a right turn onto Dahlia and you will be there. Dahlia comes up very quickly! We park on the street. The official address is 614 Dahlia Avenue, Corona del Mar, 92625.

Running all the way to the WALL and back gives you 10-11 miles. You can turn back at any point to shorten the miles. We will have written running directions for you on Saturday…if you need them.

There are (at least) two options

A) Hit the beach soon, this maximizes the time running on the sand. We go to the beach to run on the beach. Make a right turn at 2.94 miles.

B) Reduce the time on the beach. Running on the sand hurts the ankles of some people. They enjoy running on the beach, but in moderation. Do not turn at 2.94 miles. Keeping to the right, run until you get to some cottages (in about one mile more) and go down the stairs, (there are bathrooms here, just turn left at the bottom of the stairs). Turn right and go by the restaurant onto the beach. Turn left onto the beach to go towards THE WALL. Retrace your steps to return.

SUNDAY:  SANTIAGO CREEK TRAIL RUN (11 miles or less)

We’ll meet on the Shopping Center side of the Villa Park High School wall, which is near the Villa Park Animal Clinic at 6:30 a.m.  The address of the animal clinic is 17859 Santiago Blvd. Villa Park, 92861.  If you are looking for street intersections, we meet close to Sherwood Circle and Santiago Blvd.

Directions to our meeting location:  From the intersection of the 55 FWY.  and Katella Ave.  Head east on Katella Ave. (which turns into Villa Park Road).  You go only about half a mile east and you get to Wanda Road.  You go north on Wanda Road (make a left turn).  You go on Wanda Road for half a mile and you get to Santiago Blvd.  At the intersection of Wanda Road and Santiago Blvd, you make a right turn (and are heading east).  You drive 0.1 miles.  You will see this shopping center on your left (north side of the street).  Then you will see a Bank of America.  Turn left (north) and go between the Bank of America and the wall (the Villa Park High School wall).  You drive half way into the shopping center.

This run can be shortened by turning back before getting to the end of the trail.

Directions for the Run:

Run to Wanda and head south to Collins.

Cross Collins at Wanda and head south on the bike trail.

Between 1.7 and 1.8 miles we drop down into a little “valley” and will pass thru an imposing forest to be.  There are 14 newly planted (October 27, 2012) trees 1/2 to 2 feet tall in wire cages to prevent rabbits from eating their tender leaves.   These were planted by John Strand and the Greenway Alliance.   John dug all 14 of the holes, some in the rock solid ground. One hole took 2 hours to dig.

Cross over the creek in half a mile. and we are at Yorba Park and the dog park (where your dog can run free.)  Then we pass under the 55 Freeway.  At miles 2.6 to 2.7, on the left (south) we see 20 trees and shrubs that were planted by John Strand and the Greenway Alliance in March 2012.

Hart Park is at 3.7 miles.  If you have noticed mile markers on the trail every 1/4th mile, those are the distances to Hart Park.  Follow the bike trail thru Hart Park and you get to the 5 Freeway at mile 5.6.  Here the paved trail ends.  This is a good place to turn around and come back.  You have now gone about 5.6 miles, one way.

There is a foot trail that is 1/4 mile long that continues this trail to Victory Park. The trail is treacherous for about 100 feet because of boulders that were placed there by a homeowner.

Then, for sure, it is time to turn around and come back.  You have now gone about 5.8 miles, one way.

Welcome Back ALINA!!!  Alina, one of our original Brea Runners came out and ran with us at the Fullerton Loop on Thursday.  It was great to see you and it’s wonderful that you are back running again!