The other key aspect of our ultra community is the unmatched number of accessible trails all around the Bay. Today, in the south of that Bay, POST (Peninsula Open Space Trust) invited selected donors to celebrate the progress of the preservation of Coyote Valley, in addition to the protection of the hills on both sides of Silicon Valley. We owe a lot to POST that our hills are not covered by developments, like it might be the case in and around Los Angeles, for instance.
And look at the other ultra running buddies who showed up, Chuck Wilson and Mike Topper!
The event was held at the Coyote Ranch venue, which looks like a green oasis in between the busy arteries, Highway 101 and Monterrey Road. POST actually took the opportunity of announcing the construction of a wildlife passage underneath Monterrey Road, at last!
While working at IBM's Silicon Vally Lab, right around the corner, on Bailey Avenue, I got POST to give us a talk about the hopes and challenges surrounding this Coyote Valley initiative, to allow wildlife to roam between the Santa Cruz Mountains and East Bay Mountains range. To my surprise, the major obstacle for wildlife to cross the valley is actually not 101 whose construction included a few underpasses. Not even the rail track. But Monterrey Road with a high concrete divider, doubled with a metallic fence. (Photo source: POST website.)
Another illustration of the complexity of such initiatives, showing how many dimensions interlace, was the presence of farming-related partners and associations:
- California FarmLink assisting farmers and fishers;
- San Benedito Agriculture Land Trust perserving land for sustainable agriculture;
- Kitchen Table Advisors assisting farmers and ranchers.
Two other POST partners present this Saturday, the Green Foothils and the Open Space Authority of Santa Clara Valley, also include the protection of farmlands in their mission.
Another no so intuitive fact about Coyote Valley is that the most natural path between both ranges isn't at all a straight line and shortest route, it's not Bailey Avenue for instance! No, it is along the convoluted 64-mile long Coyote Creek watershed, which Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful focuses on since 2015.
Last but not least, I'd me remiss not to mention the original ancestors who cared for this land for centuries, with three tribes present at this celebration: the Muwekma Ohlone, the Amah Mutsun tribal band, and the Tamien Nation. So much respect and gratitude, through that additional ultra running connection with local races such as Ohlone 50K and Miwok 100K.
In addition to the unbeatable weather, the international population, the rich combination of venture capital and technical skills, the protection of the Bay Area is one of the amazing specificities of Silicon Valley which makes it so unique. And, as a side product, it created the perfect conditions for the development of a strong and lasting ultra running community: passionate runners, dedicated race directors offering several ultra races every month, dozens of public parks, a maze of well-maintained trails. A unique ecosystem overall, ir ego system from our vantage point, runners. Which is why it is so important we give back to these essential supporting organizations when and were we can.
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