The streets of downtown San Jose and the city's Los Gatos Creek Trail
are the setting for the Dean Karnazes Silicon Valley Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K Walk/Run, which takes runners from the start downtown along a
point-to-point course that stays flat and fast for virtually the entire
race. This year's race marks the 11th annual running of the Silicon
Valley event, along which those running the 13.1-mile half marathon
follow a course that takes them
southward for most of the
race, through areas like San Jose's Vasona Lake Park and its Willow
Glen neighborhood.
Open to both runners and walkers (who will start their race an hour
earlier than the runners), the race begins in downtown San Jose at 7:00
AM at the corner of Almaden Boulevard and Park Avenue. The early miles
of the race follow a number of twists and turns through the city
streets, passing urban parks like Biebrach Park and Bramhall Park on
their way westward toward the section of the course that takes runners
along the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
At just over 11 miles long, the Los Gatos trail winds along the creek
by the same name that flows through San Jose, and consists of a paved
surface for the entire route, which is used by runners, walkers, bikers
and inline skaters during the rest of the year. Silicon Valley Half
Marathon runners enter the trail just off Willow Street, and follow it
as it curves along the creek through Los Gatos Creek Park and Campbell
Park, all the way down to Vasona Lake Park.
After passing by the Vasona Reservoir park, runners enter the last
couple of miles of the race, which follow the route along University
Avenue and Main Street to the finish line at the track and field
complex at Los Gatos High School. Because the full marathon finish line
is at San Jose's Discovery Meadows, transportation will be provided to
shuttle half-marathoners there so they can participate in the post-race
festivities with the rest of the finishers.
Race
Weather & Climate
The autumn season brings mostly mild to moderately cool weather
conditions to the San Jose area, which sees relatively low
precipitation this time of year. In October, average monthly
temperatures range between 76°F and 52°F, while
rainfall totals average about 0.87 inches for the month.
Fees
$60 for the half marathon, if registered by June 3, 2010
$70 between June 4 - October 29
$75 on the race weekend, depending on availability
Registration
To reserve your spot in the fall 2010 running of San Jose's Dean Karnazes Silicon Valley Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K,
register online at Active.com.
Website
www.svmarathon.com
Half Marathon Course Map
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