A 15 mile run across the Golden Gate Bridge is practically a requirement when 14,000 Cisco employees descend on San Francisco for this year’s Global Sales Meeting (GSM). Why? Because the Cisco logo is fashioned after the bridge!

About 40 runners woke early and met in front of the Ferry Building (Clock Tower) at the end of Market St. (across the Embarcadero) at 5:45am. This was the 6th annual GSM run. After taking the ceremonial photograph, we were off. I ran with two employees -- Suzanne and Aaron -- whom I know from previous runs. Suzanne kicked my butt last year in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas. Aaron almost qualified for the 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials. Needless to say, our pace was fast!

The route took us along the San Francisco wharf, past the fat stinky sea lions at Pier 39, followed by the fresh smells of the sourdough bread bakery, thru the Presidio, and finally across the Golden Gate Bridge. The timing was perfect because the sun began to rise just as we hit the bridge which provided a picturesque start to the day.

We touched the signpost on the far side of the bridge and turned around, retracing our steps for a total of approximately 15 miles at about a 7 minute mile pace.

There are rumors that next year’s Cisco GSM will be in Barcelona! Maybe we will be running with the bulls!