Race Report: Sutter Home Napa Valley Marathon (LONG)

David,

I trust you are aware that the Silverado 'Trail' is actually a fairly major road. IIRC, it doesn't have a wide verge, so might not be much fun to run when there's traffic. Of course it's closed off for the race, so you can run down the middle of the 2 lane road for much of the way.

You can join it on the outskirts of Calistoga though, it's only a few hundred metres from the centre of town. I believe there are some nice trails in the valley and up the hills on either side which might be better if you prefer trail running. I didn't have time to investigate them when I ran Napa in 99.

Moik,

I enjoyed your report. You had an awful morning compared to mine in 99. Sounds like you thrive on miserable weather though. 99 was cold and clear till the sun rose, then it was a perfect, warm day. It poured with rain the day after, and I sat in a hot spa in the cold rain in Calistoga. Strange feeling. I could barely walk. Luckily my tasting muscles were still functioning! Unlike you, I love wine, and was armed with winery recommendations from good ol' Denny (of this n.g). Napa really is a good destination event for wine-loving runners and run-loving wine drinkers.

Regards,

John Mc.

It starts just outside of town, but don't be misled by the 'trail' label. It is a two-lane paved road that is the 'Silverado Trail'....there are lots of 'real' trails in the area, and perhaps someone more familiar with that can add in their two cents' worth.

But it is a nice run when there's not much traffic, kind of like marathon day (nice report, by the way

I wasn't aware that the Silverado trail was a major road. How disappointing Since I haven't done any trail running for 35 years it will be fun to try some of them. Any recommendations? I have seen that there is a State Park quite near - Bothe-Napa I believe.

I know this.:> at outside of town of calistoga is a saloon, the road going up to st hellen mt,right from parking lot of silverado saloon is a little barely visible trail. go up a steep incline and you well be on the trail that well take you high above calastoga. might walk over a barb down fench.Land owners don't mind. have a drink when get back in saloon to.:> well then go to the cascades, a tower of rock ridges and buzards. then past to other side a view to pope valley. a long day treck . ever see the movie arrival:> point being. I would take 12 grapefruit, 12 oranges. 2 two litters and a canteen and want water on return trip. some are this dumb. very hot can get 130 in july very dry. also a trail on mt hellen 5 miles or in napa louis stevensen 1700 poet author this trail very nice and wilderness trail lot of miles on this one. may be around thetown of st hellena not the mountain two different side of calastoga 20 miles from calastoga to town of st hellena. 5 miles to top of mt st hellena from saloon parking lot or do drop in. :> enjoy..

in 1993 yes there is a state campground $14.00 a night very clean stay on trails always why there. in calastoga motels are around 56 to 70 per night. st helene going that way not many places to stay. to get to mountain hellena only by car. trails at top. beware of bikers flying down parts of mt. can treck down mt side calastoga side. trail do not go to town. lots of big name motels in san a rosa. around 40 ,miles east of calastoga. all towns around there are around 40 miles apart. a lot of steep winding roads. gas was 140 a gallon so in sanarosa gas up? was like around 56 cents. trail to pope valley can take you 3 days to treck and be sure to stay on trails always. very bad there. lots of animals that want you dead. and lots of planes monitor people out there so safe. also lots of poison plants so bring medicines if going off trails you well need it. very bad. on trails are safe and fun.