Ave of the Giants Marathon

The Avenue of the Giants, or the Ave, as most runners know it, is one of the most beautiful races in the world. It runs through old growth redwoods and follows a natural creek in the middle of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Northern California. Talk about getting a lungful of clean, healthy well-oxygenated air, this is the place! Running amongst the giant trees, some of the oldest living things on our planet, enhances that wonderful runner's high that stays with you throughout the course."

Course Description

The Ave has been called by no less of an authority than "Runner's World Magazine" one of the most beautiful courses in the country. The Marathon is a double out and back, as the course profile indicates; while the Half Marathon is a single out and back. The Marathon starts just beyond the Dyerville Bridge on Bull Creek Road and proceeds 6.5 miles to the first turn around. The first mile is relatively flat, and within half a mile of the start, you will be running under a canopy of beautiful Redwoods. After the first mile, there are some sharp curves and fairly short hills. There is an open space and a sweeping curve at about the 4/9 mile mark. Then for the next mile or so, you enter arguably the most beautiful part of the course. The giant Redwoods close to the road look as though they were painted on a large canvass, the way they are perfectly arranged. At about five and a half miles, just beyond the Albee Creek Campground, you will enter an opening that continues to the first turn around. Don't worry about heat, however, for the temperature is usually still cool and part of the road is still shaded. The last mile plus is a gradual uphill with few curves. Turn around here, and retrace your steps.

Link to Course Map

Ave of the Giants Half Marathon

The half marathon now runs the second half of the Marathon course.  You can really roll the second half and the climbing is not bad to the turn around.

Link to Course Map