Sunset to Toll Road
Week 5 Segment Details
Strava Link: map and leaderboard
Veloviewer Link: interactive maps and more
Distance: 1.4 miles
Average Grade: 3%
Elevation Change: +191 feet
Course Records: 9:01 (Victor McHenry) / 11:01 (Ashley Alexander)
Adopted Businesses: The Runners Mechanic & 12 Bones Smokehouse
Segment Description:
This is a rolling, mostly uphill cruise along Sunset Drive. This road winds throughout a spectacular neighborhood, with excellent views of Asheville and the mountains that surround our fair town. While this could certainly be considered difficult terrain due to its uphill nature, the entirety of this segment is very runnable without breaking rhythm.
Course Navigation:
Start – Begin at the intersection of Skyview Place and Sunset Drive. Head north (up the hill) on Sunset Drive.
Finish – The route ends at the intersection of Sunset Drive and Old Toll Rd. Please watch for traffic (both cars and bikes!) as you approach Old Toll Road.
Notes – There are 3 intersections along this route that may entice you to go the wrong way. Stay on Sunset Drive. These intersections are all marked with street signs, but to help guide your way, keep these main points in mind:
Cherokee Rd (0.4 mile in) - don’t turn left or right; head towards the middle.
Fairmont Rd (0.5 mile in) - bear right.
Howland Rd (0.8 mile in) - don’t make the hard left.
If it’s a nice clear day, there’s an excellent overlook of the city just ¼ mile past the finish.
Also, please be cautious of all bike, car, and pedestrian traffic that share this road!
How can I fit this into a workout?
This course is excellent for a 2 minutes on / 1 minutes off fartlek. Run the “on” segments at 3k-5k effort (not pace), and jog/recover during the minute off. 6 to 8 of these are great for building aerobic strength and confidence on hills. If you’re feeling it, continue on Sunset Drive past Old Toll Rd to get more reps in. If trying to do a longer hill workout at threshold effort, continue past the finish of this segment for about a half mile and then make a right turn at Patton Mountain Road for a steady 1.8 mile long climb (5-6% grade).
Where can I park/how do I get there?
Street parking and lot parking is available along Charlotte St near (or at) Fuddruckers (map). Warm ups can be done going down Murdock Ave, towards Weaver Park, or just head eastward, up Baird Street to get to the starting point.
Segment Raffle Prize & All-Time Course Record Award
All participants this week will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to The Runner’s Mechanic
For those who set a course record: Gift card, good for a platter at 12 Bones Smokehouse.
Adopt a Local Business
Miriam has been a beacon of hope for so many in the WNC running community. The services offered at The Runners Mechanic, from in-depth biomechanical evaluations to quick pre-race tune-ups, are highly individualized and goal-oriented. Miriam helps runners fix imbalances, gain strength, and better understand their bodies. The Runners Mechanic is now offering telehealth appointments, so take advantage of the opportunity to get healthy from a safe distance!
12 Bones Smokehouse needs no introduction for those who love fingerlickin’ pulled chicken plates, long & slow smoked ribs slathered in blueberry chipotle sauce, and damn good corn puddin’. For everyone else, trust us. 12 Bones has also been a past sponsor of the Wedge Run 10K, and in the midst of everything going on right now, has been doing some really great things to help those in need around town.
