San Francisco Running Guide

Bob Cooper is a Bay Area native who started running in 1969. His first national magazine article was published in Runner's World four years later, and his articles on running and other fitness sports have been appearing ever since. Magazines that have published features by Bob include American Health, Fitness, Forbes FYI, Conde Nast Sports for Women, Healthy Kids, Longevity, Men's Fitness, Men's Health, Men's Journal, Runner's World, Shape, Triathlete, and Women's Sports and Fitness. Bob was the executive editor of Running Times from 1990 to 1992 before he became a full-time freelance writer. He has published one previous book, The Valley At Your Feet: 50 Walking, Running and Racing Courses in the Sacramento Valley. Bob's running achievements are also substantial. He is probably the only person to have participated in relay runs from the Pacific to the Atlantic (1973) and from Mexico to Canada (1983). His 50-mile time of 5 hours and 42 minutes ranked seventh in the United States in 1977, and he has run seven sub-2:30 marathons. Top finishes include the Silver State Marathon (1st), Tucson Marathon (2nd), American River 50-Mile (2nd), San Francisco Marathon (3rd), and National 50-Mile Championships (4th). Since turning 40 in 1994, Bob has won numerous masters titles at Bay Area road races. Bob lives in San Anselmo (Marin County) with his wife, Lisa, and two children, Brendan and Kira.

Chapter 1. San Francisco- Downtown Bay Run- Bay to Golden Gate Bridge- Presidio Hills- Lands End and Baker Beach- Upper Golden Gate Park- Lower Golden Gate Park- Ocean Beach and Dunes- Lake Merced LoopChapter 2. North Bay- Marin Headlands- Tiburon Shoreline- Tennessee Valley and Beach- Mt. Tamalpais Trails-South- Mt. Tamalpais Trails-North- Mt. Tamalpais Trails-West- China Camp State Park- Point Reyes National Seashore- Angel Island LoopChapter 3. East Bay- Berkeley Marina- Alameda Shoreline- Lake Merritt- Strawberry Canyon- Inspiration Point- Redwood Regional Park- Lafayette-Moraga Path- Lake Chabot- Coyote Hills ParkChapter 4. South Bay- Mid-Peninsula Baylands- Sawyer Camp Reservoir Run- Woodside Country Roads- Huddart Redwoods- Stanford Hills- Rancho San Antonio- Los Gatos Creek- Coyote Creek Park- Sanborn-Skyline ParkChapter 5. Bay Area Races- Sutter Home-Napa Valley Marathon- Houlihan's to Houlihan's 12K- Mercury News 10K- Big Sur International Marathon- Examiner-Bay to Breakers 12K- Dipsea Trail Race- San Francisco Marathon- Wharf to Wharf 10K- Primo's Run for Education- Run to the Far Side 5K and 10K