THE BERKELEY HALF MARATHON COURSE: MILE 9

Ever wonder what running the The Berkeley Half Marathon course is like? Let the Berkeley Half Marathon staff take you through the experience of running the The Berkeley Half Marathon mile-by-mile. Get a sneak peak, then get registered and get training!

Mile 9 takes runners along the Berkeley waterfront, a course highlight with incredible views of the San Francisco Bay and the San Francisco Skyline. This section of the course is flat and fast providing a great opportunity to push your pace. As this mile starts, just over the highway, runners will find the Berkeley Marina directly ahead with the McLaughlin Eastshore State Park to the right. The Berkeley Marina is an urban retreat, boasting over 100 acres of park space, 7 miles of trails, picnic areas, a 17-acre off-leash dog area, bird-watching, educational programming at the Shorebird Park Nature Center, the nationally celebrated Adventure Playground, unparalleled panoramic views, and amenities for boaters and non-boaters alike. Inside the Berkeley Marina is OCSC Sailing, a Sailing Club with charter yachts, events, sailing classes and more.

McLaughlin Eastshore State Park is a recreational facility harmonious with its natural setting.extends 8.5 miles along the East Bay shoreline from the Bay Bridge to Richmond. It includes 1,833 acres of uplands and tidelands along the waterfronts of Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley, Albany, and Richmond. The shoreline reflects the influences of both natural systems and human intervention, with natural features such as tidal marshes and beaches intermingled with man-made elements such as former municipal landfills. Pedestrian and bicycle trails run almost the entire length of the park, providing a panoramic view of the Bay that runners can enjoy for any training run.

Runners turn left to begin an out and back along the water enjoying incredible views of the San Francisco skyline as they run along the San Francisco Bay Trail. This section of the course truly connects the Berkeley Half Marathon with the entire Bay Area as the San Francisco Bay Trail runs over 350 miles through 47 cities and 9 counties around the Bay. When completed the Bay Trail will run over 500 miles connecting communities to parks, open spaces, schools, transit and to each other, while providing a great alternative commute corridor.

Looking to their right across the water runners can see not only the skyline of San Francisco but can also drink in views of Angel Island State Park, Treasure Island, The Bay Bridge and directly ahead the Oakland skyline.