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Sound to Narrows RaceThe Sound to Narrows Race is a challenging, well attended road race occurring each spring in Tacoma Washington. Thousands of runners participate in this annual distance run that takes you through Point Defiance Park. Last time I ran this race was in 1984, so I am certain the course has changed some. At that time, the course was a 7.8 mile distance that started and ended at Vassualt Park about a mile outside of Point Defiance. Runners line up on the road at the corner of the park. Once the gun fires for the race to start, thousands of people start moving down the road. For about the first half to three quarters of a mile, the road is relatively flat. Then comes a step, short downhill followed by a gradual downhill that leads you into Point Defiance. Once inside the park, runners head to the left on the road going past the zoo. The race evetually hooks up with the Five Mile drive as it follows the perimeter of the park. The race exits the park near the train station. At this point, the course follows a road that is U shaped. Not U shaped horizontally, but U shaped vertically. You start off high, the road drops down and heads back up. It's not that far, but at this point you have run more than six miles and it is challenging. At the top of the hill, a left hand turn onto a road for about a quarter mile, then a right back onto the road you ran the first mile. Remember, you are now running gradually uphill. But because you are at the end of the race, this is anything but easy. And you have to tackle that short steep hill! Once at the top of the short hill, it's relatively flat to the finish line at Vassualt park. |
