Nice the marathon offers 5ks ..I didn't know ..not sure how marathons work ..very nice weather and terrain ..26 miles ...what for idk ...nice festivities ...Crissy Field embarcadero ..expo is fun ..hope to make 3 for loyalty next year ..personal best times read more

Ran my first marathon on the 28th of this month , finished with a sub 3:24 , 7 ' 48 " per mile pace didn't qualify for Boston but definitely will eventually. I just need more training. Still kinda new but definitely love this like a 2nd job lol Awesome vibe and shout out to the all the people doing the water stations, that shit was a major staple in helping me finish. - FOOD GOD read more

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Disappointing experience. I signed up for the 2nd Half Marathon and the course was only 12.6 miles instead of 13.1 (see email from SFM below). Additionally, race routes overlapped with the shuttle route, causing long traffic delays at two intersections. People who were in Corrals A and B were late because of the shuttle. This was very poorly planned! read more

The San Francisco Marathon - "Apology" email from SFM - Races & Competitions Near Me

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I arrived to the Festival Pavillon on Saturday, July 26th, 2025 at 4:50p to pick up my bib, but the entrance doors were already closed and blocked by 2 security guards and a crowd of 30-40 shocked runners, hoping they would re-opened the doors. On the SF Marathon website it said pick up ended at 5p, and explicitly stated there would be no bib pickups available on the race day. After a short wait and no indication the silent security guards would open the doors, I walked back to my car and saw many more runners walking quickly/running to pick up their bibs as well, so I can only guess there were, at least, a couple hundred people who missed out on the race because of it. Not only did I miss the race that I trained for, but was going to go with friends I haven't seen for a while. To top it off, I have left a SF Marathon a couple telephone messages, sent several emails, and submitted quite a few requests for a refund on their website, and still no response in over 2 weeks. Very disappointing. read more

I have heard about San Francisco Marathon Race Before I have Never thought About volunteering at this Śàñ Fŕàñćìśćò Marathon until when my Fŕìèñď 朋友 Péngyǒu Ðàvì Dà wèi Had Asked me & Said Do you want to Volunteer at The San Francisco Marathon Race & My response was why not of course!!! This was my very 1st Time volunteering together with my Fŕìèñď 朋友 Péngyǒu Ðàvì Dà wèi & Also Mÿ Śòñ Àñťĥòñÿ 安东尼 还有我的儿子 Hái yǒu wǒ de érzi 安东尼 Āndōngní Àñťĥòñÿ who also volunteered with me!!!!! The Coolest Thing That I Got at the San Francisco Marathon Race was all kinds Of Freebies Like Band Aid Dispenser, Wrist Bands, Snacks, Banana, Water, Pins, Hat, Portable Chargers, Long Sleeve Shirts, Medals, Power Bar,Thunder Sticks.... If you Ÿéĺpēřs & Ÿëľpèťťèŝ like Volunteering Try Going To The Śàñ Fŕàñćìśćò Màřāťĥőñ Ŕãćé it's a cool activity to do!!!!! read more

The 2H in the past was the easy half, mostly downhill. Well that's no more. This year the 2H starts near Chrissy Field, near sea level, and requires the same climb up to the bridge as the 1H and full. Maybe because of the new route, some logistical shortcomings were evident. - The porto potty lines were the longest I've ever observed (see photo) - No national anthem before start. - Bag pickup was unorganized and the lines were longer than necessary (bring back UPS!!) But the volunteers along the route were great, clearly and loudly making sure no one went the wrong way. Traffic control was awesome - traffic was perfectly managed considering all the intersections we crossed. The crowd support was light for most of the way but swelled up near the finish. The finish area was just okay, with water, banana and pretzels. read more

The San Francisco Marathon - Races & Competitions Near Me

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Writing a review to help whoever decides that Yelp is their means of understanding the SF Marathon race route. I was told the 2nd half would be "flat." Absolutely not the case. Plan for tons of ups and downs. I saw the topography graph and was like, I'm sure it'll be fine. No, trust the documentation, it is very hilly. This is a well-organized race though, I had a great experience with the second half. A little bit of organized chaos, but that comes with the territory. A must-do ;) read more

This was the most horrible experience! They did not let the 1st half marathon runners finish the race. We were jut 1.5 miles from the finish and they stopped us and made us sit on a shuttle for over an hour with no food or water. We could have walked to the finish and reunited with our families at that time but were denied that. The volunteer was so rude I ended up walking across the bridge anyway because they wouldn't answer any questions as to when and where we were going. It was awful! read more

The SF Marathon, the city's big marathon, is great!! Running on the streets of San Francisco, through all the neighborhoods, really let's you feel the city!! This is the race that got me started running Half Marathons. If you run the Half, you have a choice of which Half Marathon you want to run. The first Half starts at the Ferry Building with the full marathoners and runs up and over the Golden Gate Bridge and back and ends in Golden Gate Park! This option starts in waves starting at 5AM. The 2nd Half starts in Golden Gate Park, it starts at 8AM, wave starts also. About the first 5.5 miles are in the park, then you run right into the Haight/Ashbury, lots of energy there as it winds back to the Embarcadero past AT&T Park to the finish line at the Ferry Building. I did my first half marathon ever in 2005, I chose the 2nd Half, and I continued to do this race for 11 years straight doing both Half's, mostly the 2nd Half. This race will always be sentimental to me as it's the one that started me on my Half Marathon journey, they say you never forget your first, gotta lotta luv for this one!!! read more

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I purchased the refundable option for the SF Marathon. Unfortunately, due to a death in the family, we are unable to participate this year. Since June, I have sent 15 messages requesting a refund, but have received no response. The lack of communication and empathy from the team has been extremely disappointing. Their website states they can make exceptions for situations like this, but their actions suggest otherwise. This experience has been frustrating and disheartening, and I have never dealt with a company that shows less understanding or concern for its customers. I suggest going to another vendor for marathons. They aren't organized. They don't care. read more

I ran the first half marathon this year and it was definitely less painful than the full! It's important to note that as of this year, the first half no longer takes you across the Golden Gate bridge due to fears of vehicular terrorist attacks which is unfortunate. The half only takes you under the bridge and added the missing miles by extending the Golden Gate Park segment. There's shuttles (aka school buses) to take you back to the start line for half marathoners. I was impressed by the organizers this year. The last two years I ran it, bag drop off (UPS) trucks were late and poorly labeled. This year, they had flood lamps and clear signage on each truck. This is a great race for runners to get a nice tour of the major SF attractions along the coastline. read more

The only time I would run was when I was a basketball player in high school. My brother happens to be an Iron Man Triathlete though so running is his thing. Today en route to teach yoga in the Mission runners passed me on 16th St as I walked alongside the 40th Annual San Francisco Marathon. It was great to see the energy of all the runners as I walked heading to go teach. At one point I walked past a parked Harley Davidson motorcycle playing loudly "Money" from Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. I also walked past a live band covering "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison from Blowin' Your Mind! I love both Pink Floyd & Van Morrison so nice to hear this music this morning. As I walked many runners went past me as I eventually passed by a water rehydration station & a medical station. Today was a pretty nice day for the marathon as was sunny & warm in the Mission yet who knows how variable the weather can be in the city w/ all it's microclimates especially at other points of the marathon. Congratulations to all the runners today taking part in the 40th Annual San Francisco Marathon! read more

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I loved running this half marathon! I ran in July 31, 2016 the same day as my birthday so I though what a better way to start of my birthday than running 13.1 miles! What I enjoyed about this run was running across the Golden Gate Bridge! There is a specific cut off time if you want to be able to run across the bridge but for the most part the runners who registered for this run knew that they had a time to beat. The SF half marathon offers two different routes you can register for, #1 is the route that goes across the bridge, the second route does not. It is truly a wonderful experience and ofcourse you gain a whole new appreciation for the hills of San Francisco! A must run on your list! Not only do many San Franciscans run this series but we have plenty of vistors as well! read more

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Very pretty city to run in. I recommend it. Note: I did the 2nd Half Marathon Expo- Fort Mason was very crowded. I literally got in, got my stuff, and left. I'm not a huge crowd person and didn't want to get exposed to germs, lol. If you're doing the 2nd Half like me- get your Uber to drop you off at Rose Garden. So close to the start line. I was going to take the shuttle but I wanted to get extra sleep instead. Overall course had a few minor hills and maybe 1 to 2 big hills? I personally thought the course was much easier. Perhaps because people hyped it up to me and I was dreading the hills. The race day weather was amazing. I can't ask for more. The spectators were cool, but not too many. Totally okay with that since I like chill races. I'm sort of thankful the race started at 6;45am. Getting done earlier and relaxing is better than finishing too late and wasting half your day. Getting up earlier sucked but hey- you'll be done sooner! read more

Just completed my first Full Marathon. It was an AMAZING run!!! Still achy from the run which delayed my post, so here goes.... Plus TOdays weather was absolutely perfect for the run, the fog was cooling and the sun did come out during the later half of the Mara GReat views of GGB, hills, GG park water fall, Haight st shops and dogpatch area. Lots of water stations, so no need to carry extra weight of water bottles MInus Due to the SF fog, I had a runny nose and tried to get a tissue from the medic counter but none was available. FInally managed to get one from another counter but they should all carry it. After the Full Marathon, there was not much by way of food. I managed to get a banana, fruit cup and muscle milk. I guess all the previous runners grabbed more. DISCOUNT Early registration is always cheaper. Here are the discount codes..... Already signed up for next years Marathion and hoping to do a PB. HOpe to see you all there, at one of SF best runs!!! read more

An unforgettable run! The (1st Half) of the SF Marathon, that is! I really enjoyed this run, attempting it back in July 2014, and I still remember how fun and challenging it was. Not necessarily because I had to wake up at 4am just so I had enough time to meet with friends, get to the starting line, and 'try' to stretch. But because I trained hard every other day running six to twelve miles at a time. Thus, rightfully pinning the phrase, "Worth the Hurt"! I paid late, so it was about $109 total to run. No big deal to me as motivation and determination outweighed the cost. The expo was huge and seemed very organized as it was held at Fort Mason of course, as it is every year. Plenty of vendors and tons of samples that I didn't really care about. They make it easy with the Information booth in the front, vendors in the middle, and grabbing your bib and shirt in the rear. As for race day. You start out at the Embarcardero passing the Ferry Building, Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. A place where you can lose a few selfie-takers and photobugs. Cruise uphill towards Fort Mason and down the Marina Blvd straightaway. Here's where it gets challenging, and where you really start to focus because you've got a longer road ahead. You hit your stride at Crissy Field and you see the Golden Gate Bridge getting bigger and bigger. Closer and closer, only crap there's another huge hill just to get to there. Memorable I tell ya! So you're at the GG Bridge, and you realize 'wow, I'm running on it YES' and half way done! Now comes the slightly easier part, downhill through the Presidio. Oh but wait, you're not done yet... You've got hill after hill cutting through Russian Hill, ugggh, just to get to that dang GG Park! But once you see green, you put it into 5th gear, you're almost there! DeYoung Museum up ahead, TOOT TOOT! FINISH! HOORAY HOORAY! Told you it was unforgettable! Now as for the 2nd Half of the SF Marathon, I prepped early. After loving the 1st Half so much, I immediately signed up for the 2015 SF 2nd Half for only $69. Score! As months pass and after running several different half marathons and training, I got hit with bad news. Last March 2015, I did a stress test on my heart only to find out that one artery was clogged. Later in May, my cardiologist tells me that three of my arteries were over 80% clogged. I had to get this fixed or I'll be another collapsed marathon runner story. Even worse, was when he told me NOT to run this 2nd Half. Heartbroken! Luckily, two of my favorite fellow Yelpers (Carolen M. and Fu W.) ran the other half and dedicated it to me. I'm very thankful for their kind gesture. I've got nothing but love and respect for what they've done. 13.1 miles is no joke, and they completed it this year! As of today, my heart is fixed, and I received good news from the doctor is that I can start running again next month! I'll be back, as I owe those two 26.2 miles. read more

The San Francisco Marathon - My favorite fellow yelpers, Carolen M. and Fu W. happy with all the finish line goodies!!! - Races & Competitions Near Me

Out of all the 5Ks, 10Ks, and Half Marathons I've done, the San Francisco Half Marathon (1st Half) is by far my favorite of all time! Wishing that I lived in the Bay Area so that I can run this race every year without having to make flight and hotel accommodations. To me, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful and scenic cities one can visit, and the San Francisco Marathon course goes through a lot of the iconic SF views. The 1st Half of the San Francisco Marathon starts out at the Embarcadero with amazing views of the Bay Bridge. It winds through the Ferry Building, Fisherman's Wharf with views of Coit Tower, SF Maritime Historic Park, Fort Mason with views of Alcatraz, Crissy Field, and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. Running on the Golden Gate Bridge felt absolutely surreal. The experience is indescribable. The course of the 1st Half is somewhat hilly, but not too bad. Definitely not as hilly as the Los Angeles New Year's Half Marathon that goes through the hills around Dodger Stadium, but it's a good challenge. Sady, the New Year's Race Half Marathon is not happening in 2017. And it's not just the course that makes this race worthy of 5 stars. I have never experienced a more organized race, from the email communication leading up to the race, to the pre-race expo, and to the race itself. The San Francisco Marathon staff and volunteers know how to organize and put on a major race, and they can serve as a very good model to other major races. The pre-race expo particularly stands out, and it was the best pre-race expo I've ever attended. Not only was free transportation provided from the Embarcadero area to the expo site at Fort Mason, but it was also jam packed with vendors and sponsors offering a lot of freebies, and it was very easy to pick up one's race bib, timing chip, and souvenir shirt. Thank you SF Marathon for the great organization and experience. Am I crazy enough to do a full? My body is still debating the idea... read more

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My first time running half marathon, I had a great time running the first half course a few days ago. I was never a runner but hiker. I purchased my first pair of running shoes just less than a year ago. For someone like me to run 13.1 miles was a significant achievement. EXPO was interesting. Large event with so many people. Used a bus to get close then walked to Fort Mason. I donated my blood for some sort of research while there, took some pictures with SF marathon banner in the background. I actually went both Friday and Saturday. More people on Saturday, if you could I recommend going there on Friday. I chose to run here for the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco Bay Area holds special place in my heart as several of life changing events happened here. It meant a lot to me to run this course. Some hilly parts, I was with corral 8, the last group (aka slow group), most people walked while going up hills. I hike mountains so it was easy for me to go uphills. I was wearing tank top and a thin jacket but took off my jacket 1 min before the race, wrapped around my waist. It was about 60F, cool wind helped me stay cool the whole time. I learned it was easier to run in cooler temperature. Running while holding my son's hand on Golden Gate Bridge was some experience. We both said now we can brag about running across the bridge! Finishing at the golden gate park, they gave me a blanket and a bottle of water. Not much besides that. I saw a long line for shuttle bus back to the start line. I needed to pick up my son from a nearest fire station as he gave up around 12 miles mark. Once I walked to outside the park, it was fairly easy to get uber. I appreciate volunteers, local police and fire department for supporting this event. In a big city like San Francisco, to organize an event like this huge takes a lot of coordination. I thought it was well supported and organized event. I would definitely come back to run again and I think I would choose to run the first half again for its interesting course and beautiful views! read more

The San Francisco Marathon - Running 1st half or full marathon gives you bragging rights that you run the Golden Gate Bridge. - Races & Competitions Near Me

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I ran the full marathon this past weekend. Race Day: My wave started at 5:42am so I ubered it from Japantown and arrived at 4:45am. They had 2 rows of porta potties and the wait wasn't too bad, about 10-15 minutes. The first couple miles are flat and there are lots of cool buildings and restaurants to see, including the smell of fresh sourdough bread from Boudin's. The first hill around mile 2 is not too difficult. The legs are still fresh and it's a short one. The run through Crissy Field is pleasant and you see the Golden Gate bridge off in the distance. The second hill after mile 4 is pretty steep. There are 2 parts to it. First incline, then it levels off a bit where you can catch your breath, then another climb up to the bridge. If you train properly, this hill isn't a problem. But there were a few people walking it. Everyone clamors about the bridge and how great it is, but my experience was lukewarm. First, it was quite crowded going in. I had to zig zag around slower runners as the route was narrow. The bridge was also misty and moist so if you are not careful you can slip and fall. The outbound run was nicer as it felt like there was more space. After the bridge, you come across your next major hill. This is a bit steeper than the first hill and maybe about the same distance. However, it felt less crowded and the road was wider so it was a more comfortable climb. With this being my first SF marathon, I was nervous about these 2 big hills and had many questions going in. To those who are wondering the same thing, they are both pretty steep, but not undoable. If you practice hills during training you will be able to conquer them without breaking form or losing breath. I am not the fastest or strongest runner but I trained diligently and I was able to keep my mile pace for both of these hills. After this hill, there's a nice, long downhill run. The views of Baker Beach here are beautiful. Next, you run a long straightaway in the Richmond district which has rolling hills. It felt like the inclines were bigger than the declines, and I think there were a total of 4 of them. This part of the course requires both endurance and patience. The park was probably my least favorite part of the course. It was long, windy, and hilly. The hills may be short but they seemed to come one after another. I kept thinking, when will the course flatten out? The answer is, it doesn't. Also, the crowd support was very sparse. Haight Street has hills too! Rolling hills. The shops are cool to look at, but by this time, around mile 20, the last thing your legs want are more hills. The last 4 miles were tough. Did I mention the hills? Yes, there are hills up until mile 25. Small hills, but steep enough that the cars parked on them had their wheels turned. In the end, I finished at 4:04 which I am pretty proud of considering this being a difficult course. Will I do it again? Probably not. Here is a brief recap and other points I forgot to mention above: Pros: -Overall a fun course despite the hills. You experience different scenery and running the bridge gives you bragging rights. The 2 big hills in the first half were a welcome challenge for me. -The water stations were adequately placed around the course and the young volunteers were working hard. -The red long sleeve shirt is a pretty cool dri fit and stands out. -The finish line was well organized. Bananas, electrolytes, and coconut water (and water of course). Would have liked there to be bagels though. Cons: -I started off with the 8:55 pace group. The 3 pacers were friendly, but they didn't seem to be on the same page as they started off too fast. First mile we ran at 8:00. Miles 2-15 were at 8:40. -The crowd support was non existent. There were hardly any people cheering in the park, when I could have used more support to get through those hills. I wish the city would organize more here...such as live bands, DJ's, sponsors scattered throughout. L.A.'s crowd support trumps S.F.'s by 100x. The last 5 miles of the course had very little crowd support too. It felt like a ghost town. -The bridge is wet and crowded. The city should open up more lanes to make it more pleasant. -There were 2 set of mile markers in the second half of the course: 1 for full and 1 for half. Was a bit confusing and made some miles feel even longer. I think I covered everything I wanted to. If you have any questions about the course, PM me and I will be happy to help answer them. For those who are wondering about running the course, do it! You only live once. And challenges make you stronger. Once you cross that finish line with the medal around your neck, it will all be worth it. I left SF with no regrets. Thank you to the city of SF and to the organizers for allowing me to complete my 2nd marathon. read more

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What's a great way to explore SF? Heck, run the San Fracisco Marathon! The Course (Info off the website) The San Francisco Marathon is a loop course. The race starts and finishes on the Embarcadero near the Ferry Building, traversing San Francisco. The Full Marathon runs through Fisherman's Wharf, the Marina, across the roadbed of the Golden Gate Bridge, through the Presidio and into Golden Gate Park. After a tour of Golden Gate Park, you will run down the famous Haight Street and through the Mission, Potrero and Mission Bay Districts. After a pass behind AT&T Park you are almost home - just run under the Bay Bridge and up to the Finish Line. The course is USATF certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifying race. Most Notables: *If running across the "The Bridge" is on your bucket list... SF Marathon/First Half is for you! You'll feel like you are on top of the world! *If you want to meet "Karl" the fog.... this is for you! He even has a facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karl-the-Fog/145697385477802 *Run through Golden Gate Park... Absolutely beautiful! Great place to get away from everything and just breathe and appreciate everything that this park can offer! * Run through the famous Haight-Ashbury street... use to be where a lot of hippies lived and psychedic rock performers performed. You can also see some nice restored Victorian houses! Peace and Love BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *You'll are also able to see AT&T park... Home of the hated ones! The GIANTS!. Look out into McCovey Cove (formally known as China Basin... Great place to grab home run balls when the Giants play! Thoughts: I thought this course was great, but was one tough cookie compared to the LA marathon. Wish there was more of a support system from the SF community... like how LA does it! Locals coming out and offering food to the runners and cheer! It would be nice if there was more water stations around. It was hot that day. My friend who was ahead of me said she saw someone faint in front of her. Lastly, prolonge the street closure a little longer. I talked to other runners that did the marathon last year and they told me the roads closed a little later for the runners! read more

The San Francisco Marathon - Route of the SF marathon - Races & Competitions Near Me

This is a very nice and competitive marathon, though not one of the world's majors it is still a very run race with lots of participants. Running over the Golden Gate bridge is always a big attraction. read more

Half Marathon #3 Completed! I chose to run the 1st Half Marathon because one item on my bucket list: Run across the Golden Gate Bridge! I also wanted to complete the LA/SF Challenge since I completed the LA Marathon (my first) in March. My start time was at 6:22AM and I was afraid it was going to be super cold since the previous day was. Luckily the sun was out and I didn't have to layer up as much as I expected. I took a cab to the start line and there was no traffic at all and finding my wave was easy to spot. My only gripe at the start line was how they positioned some of the porta potties. Some lines were crazy long and I saw people just cutting like no one's business! The course itself had great views! I did the Nike Women's Half Marathon last year and part of the course is similar. Although I wished they had more entertainment at mile markers and I noticed that were weren't a lot of spectators as well. I loved feeding off their energy at the Nike Women's and at the LA Marathon, it just pushed me even more. Running across the Golden Gate Bridge was amazing! I did think they were going to close off the whole bridge but then realized that would be impossible to do. There was only one lane reserved for runners going each way. I wouldn't be surprised tp hear if there were any collisions especially with the slippery surface. The hills are no joke, and you should train for them properly! Throughout the course I didn't spot too many photographers, which was a bummer but I don't buy the pictures anyways =P Finally the finish line was pretty organized. Right away they gave your medal, bottle water, and heatsheets to keep our bodies warm. I was very surprised and loved the goodies they had for runners! We had bananas, yogurt, King's Hawaiian rolls, and scones from Panera Bread. I can't say that I've had better snacks after a race. Unfortunately at mile 8 I started to feel a pain in my left arch that kept me from the time I wanted to reach. I'm still happy that I finished the race and that my injury wasn't too bad. I'd love to come back next year and complete the 2nd Half and get the Half It All Challenge medal. My favorite sign: "That isn't sweat, it's your fat cells crying" read more

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TL;DR - DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. There are plenty of other marathons in SF that you can and should run. Don't give this organization a cent. Look on their social media pages for the outcry from runners who have been taken advantage of by this organization during the pandemic. TSF has been sneaky. They are not transparent or forthcoming. I'm disgusted, disappointed, and frustrated with how they've treated their runners. Save yourself the agony (and $39 x # of BS fees) by running another race. Like most races in spring/summer 2020, this race was rescheduled initially from late July to mid-November. Runner options were only (a) pay an additional $39 to defer registration to 2021, or (b) run in person. No refunds, no free deferral. Most other races offered one of those options at this point. TSF continued to promote an in-person race throughout the summer months. April, May, June, July, and August. Trying to lure more participants for November's race. August 19th, they finally cancelled the race per county orders. Runner options again were only (a) pay an additional $39 to defer registration to 2021 (although 2021's race isn't a guarantee either), or (b) run virtually. BUT! (A) ALL OTHER RACES OFFERED FREE DEFERRAL TO A FUTURE YEAR OR OFFERED A FULL REFUND. Chicago, Boston, New York, Philly, Marine Corps, Rock n Rolls, Orange County, Long Beach (etc). Most even threw in extra merchandise, store credit, or discount codes as a gesture of appreciation. When asked why we still had to pay $39 to defer when the race was cancelled, TSF said there were "upfront" and "unrecoverable" costs. They had literally MILLIONS in registration fees in their pockets, and they somehow managed to spend it all before August on a race that wouldn't be run until November? There's no lane closures or traffic management, no tent or portapotty rentals, no permit fees or cleaning crew costs or race tracking or banners or photos for a virtual race. Food and course support was donated anyways. Their vendors and subcontractors should have provided refunds. Where did all that money go (besides shirts, bibs, medals, and basic staff overhead)? Is TSF just OUTRAGEOUSLY GREEDY OR EGREGIOUSLY ILL-MANAGED? TSF hasn't offered any accounting for the loss of all these funds, nor any further explanation of costs incurred except to say they were "unrecoverable". I think most of us would've accepted a free deferral, but TSF asking for MORE MONEY just raises suspicion about whether TSF operates in good faith. (B) THEY AREN'T EVEN HANDING OUT ALL THE MEDALS RUNNERS EARNED -- AND THEY LIED ABOUT WHY. They "paused" all challenge medals except their Double Up challenge. Even if you run the virtual race and follow the rules for the other (non-DUC) challenges, they won't send you your challenge medal due to "course disparities". They force us to run virtually (see above deferral fee and why I don't want to give them any more money), but claim we don't deserve our challenge medal because it's not a monitored course. When further pressed on this point, TSF finger-pointed to a partner race, saying that the decision was made by THAT organization. When I followed up with the that organization, they said they had no problem sending out medals for the challenge since both races were now virtual. So TSF lied to us, tried to throw their partners under the bus, and are now getting called out for it. read more

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I left my heart in San Francisco. And, my lungs, legs, and feet, too! As a Bay Area native, I was stoked to have the opportunity to run through my hometown's quirky neighborhoods and past iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge and Crissy Field. But, even though the event was memorable, I never want to do this race again - those hills are painful! With five different races, the San Francisco Marathon is a large event: there are upwards of 30,000 runners spread across the ultra marathon, the full marathon, the first half marathon, the second half marathon, and the 5k. If you're feeling ambitious, there are several challenges: the Half-It-All Challenge, the Berkeley SF Challenge, and the California Dreamin' Challenge. If you're planning to do the marathon, then you'll be treated to a scenic loop around San Francisco. The course starts by the Ferry Building, heads past Fort Mason and Crissy Field (miles 3-5), crosses the Golden Gate Bridge (miles 7-10), returns to Golden Gate Park (miles 14-19), and takes you past AT&T Park (mile 25) before returning to the Ferry Building. While you might think that the course's elevation profile would reflect the city's hilly topography, there's really only a few parts where you steadily climb. Otherwise, the course has a number of flat and downhill segments. Yes, those hills are pretty steep, but they are manageable with proper training. Although both marathoners and first half marathoners were supposed to run on the northbound lanes of the bridge, last-minute changes to the course meant that only full marathoners were allowed to run across the bridge, albeit on the sidewalks. Pros: + The best thing about this course are the views. In the first half, you'll have stunning views of the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco itself. Yes, it's foggy, but that's what makes the city so atmospheric. + Running on the Golden Gate Bridge was surreal! Even though we weren't on the road itself, it was still an awesome experience. + San Francisco's infamous summer weather was perfect for running. At 5:30AM, it was a comfortable 55 degrees. And, by the time I finished the race four hours later, it was only in the low 60s. + I really liked the race shirts. I particularly appreciated how they were color-coded according to distance, as it made it easier while running to see who I should be following. + BART shuttles were efficient and effective. (But, nobody checked that I had actually purchased a ticket.) Cons: - Price! If you don't sign-up at least 9 months in advance, you'll likely be paying a hefty price for your chosen race. - Although the races have staggered start times, you'll likely encounter runners from other events. This can be problematic when 1) you have to weave around slower runners or 2) runners doing shorter distances cut you off and mess up your stride. - Runners did not need to submit an official time for corral placement. I was placed in a lower corral, but still had to weave past a number of walkers who were in higher corrals. - Though BioFreeze recently became the title sponsor for the San Francisco Marathon, there was a noticeable lack of amenities compared to other major races. Medals were somewhat lackluster. And, at the finish line, the goodies were sparse: water, banana, KIND bar, and milk. - The regularity of water stations by the Golden Gate Bridge could be improved. It was probably between 2-3 miles between water stations while crossing the bridge. - Not many port-o-potties along the route. You're lucky if you find one without a line. - Unlike the Los Angeles Marathon, there was a noticeable lack of community spirit, and there weren't that many people cheering runners along the route. - Nuun Tips: * Several pacers lost their signs, so identify your pacer and keep up with them if you're aiming for a certain time. The wind mangled those plastic signs and wooden sticks! * There's a short segment after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge (mile 8) where you will be running on a dirt / gravel path downhill. * Remember to save some energy for the hills in Golden Gate Park (miles 14-19), and you'll be in good shape heading down towards the waterfront. * They only had Gu energy chews and stroopwafel along the route. If you're used to gels, make sure to bring extra. read more

The San Francisco Marathon - 2018 full marathon bling - Races & Competitions Near Me

Halfie #18 Hill Hell... I hadn't trained and the last "run" I did was 6 weeks prior at the Seattle Rock N Roll Half Marathon in mid-June. So, I was definitely NOT prepared for this race. Nonetheless, my 18th halfie and I'm on a mission to complete the Half It All Challenge. Expo was aiight... Got some good freebies (bars, etc), but no drinks?! :( I didn't care for the area it was in. Perhaps because it was several miles from where I was staying. I went on Saturday and it was super crowded and hot! Spent a couple hours and left. Race morning - It was still dark out. I woke up at 4am and walked a mile to the start at the Embarcadero. I was concerned walking thru downtown SF in the dark, but there were lots of people walking towards the race, so I felt safe. I did meet someone (Ken) walking over to the event and we walked together to the start line. Bag check was easy, and waves were well organized. I liked the fact that security checked racer's bibs to ensure the correct wave. I started at the end of wave 3. Love the scenic course! There were some places that I would have never gone thru thanks to the race. We ended at Golden Gate Park and I have never been. Weather is unpredictable. It was sunny and warm the day before. On race morning, it was cold, gloomy, and misting. The day after, it was beautiful. This was the first race I layered. I wore running pants and a long sleeve shirt, which I never do. There were a LOT of hills. I seriously lost count after 5. When you think you're done and over with 1 hill, there's another. I didn't do any hill training, so I found the course very challenging. I felt there weren't enough fuel stations. Be sure to hydrate at every station. Trust me, you'll need it! I was definitely needing it when running across the Golden Gate Bridge. The shuttle service took forever!!! It took over 45 mins for me to even board the shuttle. More shuttles are needed - take notes from the RnR races (very well organized!!!). I really enjoyed the scenic run and can't wait to do the 2nd half next year (already signed up for it!). A fun race in a fun town!!! ======================================== STATS: Overall: 3617 out of 7391 Women: 1559 out of 4002 F 30-39: 593 out of 1482 Age/Grade: 47.81% Place: 3419 Finish: 2:19:02 Pace: 10:37 5 Km: 29:05 Pace: 9:22 7.4 Mi: 1:13:21 Pace: 9:55 Gun Time: 2:34:07 Tag Time: 2:19:02 read more

The San Francisco Marathon - Races & Competitions Near Me

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San Francisco, I'm so glad you took my full marathon cherry. I wouldn't have given it to anyone else other than my fair city by the bay... even though you might be "The Race Even Marathoners Fear" as per the Wall Street Journal. Much to love about this race: 1. Lovely running weather. The morning fog providing some refreshing misting action although it did warm up considerably when the sun appeared around 9am. 2. You cover all the major landmarks. My training runs take me through all the usual spots like Fisherman's Wharf, AT&T Park, Fort Mason, and the Golden Gate Bridge but there's nothing like running through them with newbies to the city and feeling proud that you get to call this home. Yes even the "industrial" parts of Dogpatch. 3. You discover new spots. I've never run on Lincoln Blvd and the ocean view with the crashing waves was just sublime. Also never ran around Stowe Lake before so check that one off the list. 4. Plenty of hydration stations along the way. In hindsight, I should have started the run with a less than full bottle of water in my belt because I hardly touched it in the beginning till it got warmer. That's because the hydration stations were plenty, close together, and manned by enthusiastic volunteers. 5. For the most part, a well organized race day. From clear directions to your respective wave starts to the closures of streets including the GG Bridge, everything has been fairly well-thought out. The SF Marathon is not without its kinks. For one the marathon app didn't exactly work and honestly was a little extraneous since you can cover most of the content on a website. 7 miles circling around GG Park felt REALLY long especially when you're already 13 miles in by then. Lastly, the lines for the beer garden was ridiculous so I skipped it. Didn't need it really since my friends were waiting for me armed with mimosas. Special thanks to them and all the supporters along the route. You made my first full marathon especially enjoyable and I'll high-five you guys anytime again. #loveSF read more

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DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!! -- Tens of thousands of us did this year, either before the pandemic was made known or in hopes that it would pass before it affected its July 26th event date. Many event organizers listened to medical professionals and made the responsible decision to outright cancel until the following year; issuing refunds, free deferral to the following year, well in advance to their event dates. On April 27th they declared their event would be postponed to November 15th. In case you're wondering; no, they didn't care if you didn't feel safe running in a LARGE GATHERING OF PEOPLE in the same year as a global pandemic took place. One that statistically shows a high rate of infection when you gather in groups larger than 12-20 people outside of your household. I inquired. Not to mention, when we initially registered we knew and agreed to the date in July. They also didn't care if their randomly chosen date was conflicting and would prevent one from attending. Their other options, if you can call them that; Participate in their virtual race, which is a total cash grab. Why would anyone pay an organization $100+ (almost $200 in some cases) for a medal and t-shirt and run an unsanctioned course? This race is a BQ after all... Can't qualify for Boston on an unsanctioned course, right? Guess is doesn't really matter since Boston responsibly canceled their historic running and issued refunds to its participants. I'm sure their "unrecoverable and upfront costs" a much more substantial than this poorly mismanaged event. Or... Pay an ADDITIONAL $39 to defer to 2021. As we are still in the midst of this pandemic, next year is still not guaranteed. What happens when this is also postponed and canceled? Do we need to pay ANOTHER $39 (or higher, accounting for a rate of possible inflation) to cover their "unrecoverable and upfront costs"? So far the organization has been unwilling to provide any form of transparency as to what their "unrecoverable and upfront costs" entail, they've been noticeably silent during the outcry by the running community affected by their horrible mismanagement during this global pandemic affecting so many people; mentally, physically, and financially. They're even stooping as low as to alter their social media posts. What few positive comments being left are being pinned in an attempt to bury the outcry for this organization to do the right thing, like so many other race events are doing. This organization is either blind to its own corporate greed or flat out does not care about its own running community. It's astonishing they really don't seem to think their actions won't have repercussions. The running community that chose to support them before this pandemic won't afterwards. Do yourself a favor, don't waste your money like we did. read more

2019 DISCOUNT! Save %15 off all distances with my ambassador code: AMBOSTEPH I've run this race 4 times now and it always amazing me. The bridge, of course, is the highlight, but don't forget about the many awesome neighborhoods you run thru! I always stop and take photos along the route. Haight-Ashbury, the Golden Gate park, and all the views distract you from realizing that you are running for, well, hours! The race itself is so organized. Plenty of bathrooms, community support and treats along the way. Transportation is a breeze. I always find street parking just a few blocks from the start. Love the finish line festival with food trucks and giveaways from supportive vendors. It's a bucket list race at any distance! read more

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I've run the first half course back in 2008. The first half has the Golden Gate Bridge which obviously is the star of this event. The first half will most definitely sell out first before any of the other races. After that year, I've returned on several occasions to run the full marathon 2009-2010, 2012-2013, 2015-2016. The Expo: It is currently located at Fort Mason. Driving and parking in that area is a pain in the butt, but you can take the free shuttle from the Hyatt Regency to take the headache out of going to the expo. On their website and social media pages, they encourage people to take an Uber of Lyft if you choose not to use their free shuttle service. The venue itself is nice. It's nice and spacious to accommodate the amount of runners, friends, and their family members. The bibs and shirt are in the back, so you'll definitely have to swim through all of the exhibitors to get there. There's plenty of vendors selling any last minute gear or nutrition that you might need or have forgotten to pack. This year they were taking early registration for next year's 40th anniversary race for $25 off which came out to be less than $100 for the full marathon! Looks like I will be returning next year! Pre-race: The start line is at the Embarcadero near the Ferry Building where Market St ends. They have separate gear check areas for the full and half marathon, the full is at Washington St. while the half marathon is at Mission St next to corral 1. There's a lot of portapotties, so the lines aren't too long. Their corrals are well organized and really helps to alleviate the congestion at the start of the race. The Race: The marathon course has remained relatively unchanged until this year. They've finally addressed the issue with the 2nd half runners starting in Golden Gate Park while having to navigate through a bunch of tired full marathon runners that are well into their race. It has not been enjoyable for either group. This year's experience of running through the park was much more enjoyable. Besides running through the park, the 2nd half course is pretty dang ugly. You get to enjoy some questionable smells while running through Haight-Ashbury and Mission. Then you get to look at abandoned warehouses while running through Dogpatch. Once you see the AT&T ballpark, you know that the finish line is coming up. Post-race: After getting your medal and your mylar blanket, there's water, Muscle Milk, bananas, and other snacks being passed out. After taking your official finisher photo, you can get your challenge medals at the tents located just across the Ferry Building. The gear check is nearby as well as the beer garden. This year they had Lagunitas beers, pretty decent craft beers. You can skip the long ID check line by getting that done at the expo. This race has one of the best beer gardens. The area is spacious with lots of places to sit down to enjoy the victory of finishing a marathon. read more

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They don't send the items they promised and you paid for. It's a bait and switch. I really liked them till this happened. The have an F rating because of all the people they did this to. Where is all the money going? You promised a product and didn't deliver. Any other business would be in serious trouble. read more

A few helpful tips: * Yes, Half #1 takes you across the Golden Gate Bridge. And it's amazing! But it's also cold, windy, and foggy. The race starts at 5:30am, so even if you haven't reached the bridge by 9:00am, expect fog. * Get your free beer wristband while at the Expo. Just watch for the booth and get it done ahead of time. The beer gardens queue at the finish line was lengthy, but for those runners who already had wristbands, they walked right on in! * The "Half It All" medal, the one earned after running Half #1 on one year, followed by running Half #2 the following year (or vice versa) is the same medal each year. I've received two, and although they're very cool and definitely "worth the hurt," I'd hoped that in earning my 2nd "Half It All" that maybe the completion year would be present either upon the ribbon or the medal itself. But no luck. It wasn't. It's just the same awesome medal each year...so far. * All challenge medals that you might be receiving--whether they be the Half It All, the SF/Berkeley, or the California Dreamin' medal--should be stamped as such upon your bib. While you're at the Expo, double check. If you think you might be missing a stamp, go to the Solutions booth. * If you're running the Full or Half #1, you'll reach the Golden Gate Bridge during mile 6. If needed, hit the porta potties before crossing the bridge. There are porta potties on the other side, but they're fewer. Have fun! read more

The San Francisco Marathon - Races & Competitions Near Me

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If you're planning in running this race virtually, I'd advise for you to wait until you can actually run this in-person. I was forced to run this virtually in 2021 due to the pandemic cancelling my travel plans, and 8 months past submitting my completion information (time and photo), I still have yet to receive my finisher's packet or medal. Despite ongoing emails with support, nothing has been resolved--just dead-end canned responses. I doubt I'll receive my medal or my money back. Run at your own risk. read more

DO NOT RUN WITH THEM!!!! WARNING! Horrible communication regarding 2020 delays. No empathy. No alternative without an additional fee. Stole $215 from me. Empty promises. Suggested running virtually- but nothing registered when I didn't the complex program they required to do so - it didn't work. Promised apparel, medal, and more and haven't delivered. Postponed from July to December- then cancelled all together. Option to PAY MORE to defer to another year. Not for free. When many (other organization's) races in 2020 offered the deferment for free. I have an autoimmune health condition that likely wouldn't permit me outside of the original date - no empathy. Called an upwards of 7 times with no remedy. Got passed around to different people. Emailed about 20 times and no remedy. Again, I was still promised 2020 gear (from a race that didn't even get recorded virtually) 8MONTHS AGO!!! And still nothing delivered. It's been a full year since the original race and nothing but let down. They wouldn't even respond to the Better Business Bureau case I opened. BBB replied to me saying no one called or emailed them back. Like big government, this organization wins, while the little constituents (runners) lose AND pay the price. Absolutely horrible organization. read more

The staff and security along the route don't know where the half finishline is. Good example of how not to organize a marathon.

What the heck was I thinking choosing one of the most challenging courses in the nation to run my first full marathon?!? In the end, it was one of the best decisions I made especially the experience running all around SF including the bridge. Let's start off with the expo, why so far and not Bart accessible? Getting into city is hard enough but going to fort mason from the bay bridge would be such a headache. Why not have the expo at moscone convention center? Expo was aight, surprised they did not check ID and folks were able to pick up their friends bibs which we thought was a no no. Day of the race was a bit hectic. Getting to our waves was like cows getting into a caged area. The route itself was great especially the first 1/2. There were plenty of hydration stations and port o potties along the route. I was familiarized with all the upcoming hills on the first 1/2 so no surprise for me there, did plenty of hill training and also ran those hills during SF Women's nike run. The bridge was super foggy but that was expected, glad I didn't see anyone slip. Running thru golden gate park was a little bit confusing. There were signs which path to take for the full and 1/2 but there was one area where people were giving verbal directions which I thought was odd. Another part of the race we ran thru haight street (I think) and people were passing out oranges and bananas, super cool. Overall good race, cool medals and long sleeve tech shirts. would I do it again? Possibly... read more

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I ran the second half in 2016 thereby completing the Half It All Challege after running the first half in 2015. I think if there was a choice, consensus would run the more difficult and scenic first half over the second. The second half isn't all that bad for those that appreciate great running conditions, their personal space when running, and don't need throngs of people cheering them on. As far as getting to the start line for the point to point course, you can take the provided shuttle bus from the marathon start/finish area, or you can get a ride. If possible, I would recommend the latter because the lines for the shuttle were long, traffic was bad, and the shuttle dropped us off late, pretty much 5 minutes before the start. The second half course changed this year with the start located closer to the west edge of Golden Gate Park which changed three things: 1) the first mile was no longer downhill and made the net elevation gain less negative, 2) the runners having to make a mass hairpin turn in the first mile, and 3) there was no longer an out and back in the second mile where full and halfers had to run different distances respectively. Not that any of that really matters to anyone, but let's just say the first few miles are a lot smoother than before and a lot of the congestion has been relieved. The first five miles of the 2nd half are in Golden Gate Park with the final miles through the Haight, Mission, and Dogpatch, then finishing north under the Bay Bridge. Haight Street might be just as tough and quad draining running down as up. Stay focused on the bridge for the last three miles as scenery and fans are sparse, because that'll get you home to refreshments and the beer garden. Register early as prices push two bills as you get closer to the race. Grab a course map at the expo for course and logistical information. Use the provided bag to keep your layers to drop off before the race and pick up after at UPS bag trucks. And enjoy your run through one of the great cities in a race with top level organization. read more

The San Francisco Marathon - Front- half finishers medal and half it all medal - Races & Competitions Near Me

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SF Marathon managers suck. I paid for 2020 marathon that was cancelled. Not only will SF Marathon not give me my money back for the event they cancelled, they want to charge me another $40 for me to run in the 2021 event...unless that gets cancelled and they will want me to pay another $40 for 2022. Or whenever they decide to hold the event. its not about the dough but more of the nerve of the organization. read more

Of the 18 full marathons I have completed this is one that I have never run before, but the San Francisco Marathon holds significant meaning to me for it was with this race way back in the 1980's where I first got my start in doing logistical work for running events. So with the 2009 edition set to run in just a few short hours I'm going to take a little time to think back and reminisce on the coolest marathon I've never run. Back in the mid-80's when I first started running I befriended a core group of runners who I would see nearly every weekend out running in Golden Gate Park. I began running with some of these friends and eventually began socializing with them when we weren't on the run. We'd always talk about running. Our conversations rarely focused on being competitive but almost always we'd take our discussions from the standpoint of participation and camaraderie. I was new to the sport of running, and when talking about the San Francisco race scene I'd often focus on speed and who won what. My friends interceded and taught me that running wasn't always about winning and losing, and that my attitude needed change. Through them I learned that in the world of running those who go out and participate whether fast or slow, running or walking, competitive or not regardless of body shape, body size or body type are winners one and all simply because they are out there doing something healthy. I eventually joined the running club that most of my friends belonged to. It turned out that not only was this a running club focused on participation and social events, but these guys were, at the time, one of San Francisco's most prominent race organizations putting on several signature events that brought out runners and walkers by the tens of thousands. The very few of you who were into running and remember that far back will probably know that I am referring to the Pamakid Runners Club. Among their major events were the Nike San Francisco Half Marathon (now the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half), the original women only Bonne Bell 5K & 10K, the Manufacturers Hanover Corporate Challenge (now the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge) and their signature event, The San Francisco Marathon. Most of us took on major roles in the races almost always as volunteers working countless hours to ensure a successful event. From time to time we'd get paid for our services, but that was simply a bonus for doing something that we really loved. It was at that time that I developed a love for course logistics. My interest soared in setting up race courses, working with other volunteers and the police and eventually tearing down courses and returning things back to normal again. The San Francisco Marathon almost always meant working 40+ hours straight on little or no sleep, but I think adrenaline and the final result always fueled us on. Everybody always felt so invigorated watching the last finisher cross the finish line, and I always remembered to cheer them on simply for participating. Being a non-profit organization the running club would eventually fall into financial troubles, and the rights to their events were either sold to other organizations or the events simply discontinued. In my case I got lucky, and today I still continue my work on the old half marathon course with the current event organizers and from 1993 through 2006 I actually directed the San Francisco stop for the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge. So while I've never run in the San Francisco Marathon that's the reason why this race will always be special to me for it helped me discover something that I really love to do, and it helped in changing my perception of participation into a positive. I commend all the participants whether it be in the full marathon, the half marathon, the progressive marathon or the 5K because no matter whether your results were good or bad, whether you ran fast or slow, even whether you finished or not you're all winners simply because you were out there doing it! read more

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For me, there couldn't have been a better choice than choosing SF Marathon for my first full marathon. I had already ran across the Golden Gate Bridge and thru Golden Gate Park in previous races this year so I kinda knew what to expect. The only thing was I've never ran more than 18 miles at one time so trying to complete 26.2 was a bit worrisome for me. But all my pre-race nerves and doubts went away when I lined up in my starting wave. It was still dark out but there were thousands of runners lining up and taking off as the announcer called out each wave and started them off. The first half of the marathon was scenic as we cruised through Fisherman's wharf, across Crissy Field to the Golden Gate Bridge. Past the Golden Gate Bridge we made a roundabout in the Scenic Point parking lot. This was also aid station #3 and the first with Gu Energy Gel. Back across the GGB, we ran pass Baker Beach and down 27th street to GGP. This was where the 1st half-marathoners were turning off and the number of runners significantly dwindled down. But after passing the 2nd half-marathon starting area we started passing the 2nd half-marathon walkers as well as a aid station serving BEER. Yes, this was one of the highlights of the race as there were several guys handing out beer shots from a keg of Pabst Blue. Making our way out of GGP, we ran through the Haight-Ashbury area and Duboce Triangle. What I noticed was there were more and more people cheering and supporting from the sidewalk. Our bibs had our names printed on them so complete strangers were able to just call out your name and cheer you on. This had me going for awhile till mile 21 when the dreaded wall hit me (or lack of conditioning). My right quad cramped up and I had to slow down to a walking pace. I pretty much walked/jogged till mile 25 where I decided to just suck it up and run out the last mile. Even though I have watched a few games at AT&T park, this was a new perspective as it was my first time viewing the park from the bayside. The finish line was awesome as thousands of people were lining the sidewalk and cheering the runners to the finish. Upon finishing the volunteers handed out a space blanket, goodie bag, and finisher's medal to all the runners. (http://static1.px.yelp.com/bphoto/02y-RFTLytFEsgw1XLUp7Q/l). Definitely a great scenic course and I'm happy it was my first marathon. Can't wait to run it again next year! read more

The San Francisco Marathon - Full Marathon 2009 Medal - Races & Competitions Near Me

Great Course! I LOVED IT! This is definitely not a course for beginners. Moderate Hill training will get one through completion of the course, but if you're interested in getting a good race time.... train, train, TRAIN for those hills! I enjoyed the Runner Expo. I was able to stuff my face with all kinds of free granola and energy bar samples. There were free yoga sessions going on, free photos in front of the SFM backdrop with your bib number, health seminars, shopping. I bought all my Gu packs for a buck each the day before the race! (yay) The free bars, and bottles of electrolyte water at the Expo and at the finish line were great. The free tech shirt was long sleeved and stylin' too. I arrived at the starting line about an hour and a half before the first wave. I was able to park less than a block away from the starting line, no traffic congestion whatsoever. The only thing that can be said is that they need more port-o-potties near the starting line... there was only one visible one! (although later on, a herd of 20 port o' potties were discovered to be huddled in an obscure location.) First half is challenging; the incline right before the golden gate bridge and the incline in the presidio were the most challenging. The views on sea cliff were breathtakingly beautiful. Running on the Golden Gate bridge was an experience of a lifetime. The run through the golden gate park felt like it took forever! It was just loops around the trees and foliage. A quarter way in the park, full marathoners were joined by the 2nd half marathoners. The 2nd half of the marathon, the last 13.1 miles-- were a breeze. It was mostly downhills. I was able to keep a steady pace while enjoying the morning sights and sounds of Haight and Ashbury. Beer garden was delicious! It featured Sierra Nevada Ale; and about 6 or 7 varieties you could choose from. One free beer to all full and second half marathon finishers. The only downside to that was they closed the beer garden about 10 min after I walked in; and security guards were ushering people/ urging people to chug their beers. Boo to that. :| Delicious though. I, of course, opted for the Sierra Nevada Porter. It was the perfect ending to a memorable race! I liked how video footage of the race was accessible in less than 24 hours. I'm still awaiting the photos. Official race photographers were plentiful at the start line, a moderate number of photographers were throughout the course, and a few at the finish line. I am so thankful and appreciative for the law enforcement and biker volunteers that helped do traffic control. There were some real jack-hole drivers who were inconsiderate of runners! But I observed the biker traffic volunteers to be really helpful and protective over us runners. So thankful for you gals and guys! Much thanks also goes to the few cheer squads that made it out there, as well as the volunteers at the electrolyte, water and gu stations. Stations were plentiful and helpful, as were port o potties through the course. The full medals are great this year, it features the Haight and Ashbury attached to a thick blue tye-dye lanyard... and it is HUGE. 3.25 inches in diameter. I really enjoyed this race, and will enjoy another one in this city in the future! ~('-'~ ) * read more

The San Francisco Marathon - Expo 2011 - Races & Competitions Near Me

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