This
loop is a route that I have run many times. The basic loop measures 5.84 miles,
and is essentially flat on the east side of Hunter Road and hilly in the Willow
Creek development on the west side. It is possible to add and combine several
additional segments to adjust the total distance up to 9 miles.
The course is best run in a counterclockwise direction, so as to be facing traffic;
this is most important on the I-35 access road segment. The course has been measured
in this manner. However, when running the course in the winter when there is
a stiff wind from the north or northwest, running the course clockwise puts the
wind to your back in the open areas, and the trees, homes and hills in Willow
Creek help to block the wind when you are running into it. But you’ll have
traffic coming up on you from behind, at high speed, on the I-35 access road;
not good.
The Longcope Loop option adds 0.64 miles, and some
uphills and downhills.
The Willow Creek Circle option adds 0.72 miles and
mild uphills and downhills.
The Oak Haven Drive option adds 0.3 miles, and is
about the same in terms of hills as if you stay on Rolling Oaks Drive.
The Wonder World option only adds 0.06 miles, and
the traffic on Hunter Road usually makes crossing here hazardous; so this option
is not highly recommended.
The three optional segments that include sections of Snyder Hill Drive are the
ones that will really get your attention. The Snyder Hill
loop only adds 0.13 miles, but it adds two hills on Rolling Oaks Drive
that you won't like - especially when running northward. A good friend of mine
refers to this option as “the Nutcracker.” The Missy
Lane loop adds 0.97 miles and the Willow Arbor loop adds
1.43 miles; and both will make you yearn for level ground, as they will give
you a good hill workout no matter which direction you run them.
You can park at Texas Health & Racquet
Club on McCarty Lane just southeast of where it crosses Hunter Road. There
is also a side street off the I-35 access road, next to the North Carolina Direct
furniture store, where you can park.
To see a larger, clearer map than the one below, please click here (may
result in scroll bars).
For an Acrobat (PDF) file containing a larger copy of the map below, please click here.
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