The Battle of the Bay

Presented by A Runners Mind

Thanks to everyone who joined us in the bracket this year. Special thanks to Nike and A Runners Mind for all of the prizes and organizing the meetups. We can’t wait to do it again in 2025!

The 2024 SF Segments

  • Distance: 3.0

    Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/33600503

    Description: The opening round is a downhill 5k from the east to the west side of GGP.

  • Distance: 1 Mile

    Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/987161

    Description: For the second round we’re returning to Twin Peaks. Please start your watch on Portola Drive and run to the top -- just past the crest of the hill.

  • Distance: 4.4 Miles

    Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/863593

    Description: Most of you are familiar with the Christmas Relay loop from the awesome WVTC event (unfortunately no Santa hats or beer garden for your effort this week). The segment starts and ends in the Sunset Circle Parking Lot at the North end of Lake Merced. Have a look at the attached screenshot to see the start and stop; your watch should start somewhere around the middle of the parking lot on the side closer to Lake Merced Blvd than the lake itself. Get yourself up on the bike path and you'll do one clockwise loop around the lake. Watch should stop just as you get off the grass back into the parking lot (where the beer garden usually is).

  • Distance: 1.8 Miles

    Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/14547996

    Description: The segment starts on the bike path adjacent to Marina Green where Fillmore Street meets Marina Blvd. Your watch should start in between the two crosswalks. The course then heads West on the bike path along Marina Green, past Little Marina Green, and then alongside Mason Street. Stay on the bike path past the marshes, past the seemingly endless stretch along Crissy Field, and finish where the bike path meets Golden Gate Promenade.

FAQs

How Do I Record and Submit My Run?

All runs must be recorded with a GPS watch or phone and synced via Strava or Garmin. All runs must be recorded on “Race” mode or must show elapsed time (as opposed to moving time) and then emailed to run@trialsofmilesracing.com. Our team will verify all results to ensure accuracy.

Can I Run the Segment Multiple Times?

During the competition window you are free to run the segment as many times as you choose. We will not consider the time “FINAL” until you have emailed it to run@trialsofmilesracing.com or you indicate to us that it is a final/submitted time. Please keep in mind that once you email us your time, that time is final and we can (and likely will) publicize that time. If you think you may attempt the segment again later in the week, do not submit!

Can I Run the Segment with a Friend or a Pacer?

Competitors are free to run their segments alone, in groups, or with a pack of pacers. As long as you complete the segment on your own two feet, within the required time period it will count.

What Happens if My GPS Data Gets Messed Up? How Do You Prevent Cheating?

Virtual racing is not perfect. People's data is going to get screwed up and times are going to be slightly off. We've done this enough times to know how to deal with these issues and keep things fair. Rest assured, these fields are incredibly deep and nobody is going to be able to game their way to victory. Throughout the competition our team will also make whatever tweaks are necessary to ensure the integrity of the competition.

How Do You Make the Brackets?

There is no seeding in this competition and placement in the brackets is done using an online randomizer. As a result there is quite a bit of luck in terms of how far you can go in this competition. Please also keep in mind that most people aren't super fit in January and a lot of people plan to use these segments as workouts. Even if you're going against someone significantly faster than you, if you run hard you might be surprised by the result. Strange things happen in these races!

What are the Prizes?

The overall male and female winners of the race will each take home a pair of Nike training shoes (Pegasus, Structure, Infinity, Streakfly), a $200 Gift Card from A Runners Mind, and a custom Nike trophy.

SF Chase the Throne