The San Francisco Marathon

The San Francisco Marathon Weekend is a very special weekend, held every July

There is a marathon, plus an ultra, along with two half marathons, one on the first half of the marathon course and one on the second half. It's a great idea and when combined with a 5k and 10k this is a weekend where pretty much everyone in the family should be running.

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San Francisco

It might have a population of less than a million and measure less than 50 square miles, but chances are it's likely to be on most travellers' bucket list. Founded in 1776, it's the commercial, financial and cultural center of Northern California and the second most densely populated large U.S. city, behind only New York City.

Even though it's well known for its steep hills, getting around isn't a problem. Bikeshare stations and ubers are everywhere (as you'd expect in this tech dominated city) and the ubiquitous cable cars, which are attractions in their own right, are around every corner. There's also the BART metro trains to head further afield. Its most iconic landmark is of course the Golden Gate Bridge and this features strongly in the marathon. You can walk or ride across to the Marin Headlands and enjoy the remarkable views as you go. Dominating the Bay is Alcatraz Island. Tours of the prison are an absolute must do. Back in the City, Fisherman's Wharf is an ever popular destination, with lots of food and shopping options. There's Union Square, Mission District and Chinatown that are all essential to see and Nob Hill, where many of the city's finest buildings are to be found. Don't miss the Painted Ladies; famous homes on Alamo Square.

Sports fans need to head to Oracle Park, the home of the local baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. There are very few stadia that have better locations than this. Situated on the Bay and with views of the other main bridge, the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge, it's easy to get to by tram or walk from Embarcadero, with plenty to see on the way.

There are so many options for foodies from Michelin restaurants, quirky cafes and wine bars to multicoloured and multi option food trucks and there's plenty of entertainment from world-renowned symphony to ballet, theatre, and opera.

History of the San Francisco Marathon

In July 1977 the very first San Francisco Marathon took place. Wearing cardboard numbers, nearly 1000 started from Golden Gate Park. It was organised by the Pamakids Running Club and was inspired, as so many others were at the time, by the running boom that was sweeping the world.

It was highly successful and in 1978 the race tripled in size. In 1982 it became the first US marathon to present a medal to all finishers. It's hard to imagine this not happening now but at the time it was groundbreaking. By the mid 1980s the marathon had grown exponentially, with support from both the local and global running community. In 1989 runners were able to cross the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time and this further increased its appeal across the world.

In 2016, it officially became a sanctioned USA Track & Field qualifier race for the Olympic Team Trials.

Race Organiser

It's organised by Jumping Fences Inc. an event management company who also manage the Berkeley Half Marathon.

When is the San Francisco Marathon?

The race is held annually in July

Distances

Ultra, Marathon, First Half, Second Half,10km, 5km and 1km kids run.

Is there an Expo?

There is a two day expo held on Friday and Saturday at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion. Runners will need to collect their race packs from here. There's the usual gear available, including race souvenirs.

How many runners?

27,500 across all events

The course

It's an early start here, with the first coral going off at 5.16am and the last one at 5.30am. The first of the two halfs (Bridge Half) leaves from 6.30am, the 10k at 7.00am, 5k from 7.50am and the second of the halfs (City Half) from 8.00am.

The start of the marathon is at Embarcadero at Mission, with runners heading on a landmark packed tour of the city and surrounds before finishing a few metres behind where they started at Embarcadero at Mission. The Embarcadero is a neighborhood well known for its great restaurants, iconic clock tower, Bay Bridge views, and proximity to popular points of interest. Logistically it's perfect and makes choosing a hotel nice and easy. From the start it's north to the Colt Tower at mile one, a 210-foot tower in Telegraph Hill, overlooking the city and San Francisco Bay. It was built between 1932 and 1933 using Lillie Hitchcock Colt's bequest to beautify the city. It's then west to Fisherman's Wharf at mile 2, Fort Mason at mile 3 and just before mile 4 it's the Palace of Fine Arts. Landmarks everywhere. Mile 4 to 7 are all within the Presidio de San Francisco, 3 square miles of parkland,, but all runners will be focused on at this point is the Bridge. At mile 7 it's Bridge time! It's a mile across and it's hard to focus on anything apart from the views. After four miles around the Marin area it's back again. The halfway point of the route is in the middle of the Bridge and the views at this stage are the best yet. Opened in 1937 and nearly 750 feet high it is spectacular from every angle.

At mile 14 runners exit Presidio de San Francisco and continue south before heading into Golden Gate Park and looping around Stow Lake, leaving the Park just before the 20 mile mark and continuing east. A mile later and the Painted Ladies are away to the left and then its south to the Mission District at mile 22. This an exuberant, evolving neighborhood with Latino roots and a hipster vibe. There are also tattoo parlors, gourmet ice cream shops and Dolores Park, a popular weekend hangout with skyline views. It's one of San Francisco's trendy neighborhoods, packed with trend-setting boutiques, restaurants, and more. The Chase Centre, home to the Golden State Warriors basketball team is right here. Just past mile 24 it's the turn for home and two spectacular miles along the Bay. Oracle PaRk is at 25 miles and then it's under the Bay Bridge (opened a year before the Golden Gate Bridge) and the race to the Finish. The crowds along here are incredible and literally carry runners to the Embarcadero and the finish party.

The Full Marathon has 14 water stops with water, Nuun Electrolytes, medical, and toilets. Water stops 6 and 10 will include Chargel Energy gel. All water stops will have water monster refill stations for those carrying their own bottles.

The San Francisco Marathon is different in that it hosts not one, but two half marathons alongside the full marathon. One is called the Bridge Half, most of the first half of the full and the second is the City Half, covering most of the second half.

The first one starts at Presidio and finishes at Golden Gate Park and the second starts Old Mason Street, Presidio and finishes with the full marathon runners at Embarcadero at Folsom. It's a great idea and swells the total weekend numbers.

What's unique?

That Bridge and those views!

Do charities benefit?

There is an official charity programme which raises around $1m annually. There are a number of partner charities, both local and national, and runners are asked to support them wherever possible.

Our verdict

It's a great event and given the profile of the city it's not surprising that it is growing steadily. The Bridge is unforgettable and although the crowd is thin at times those that do support the runners do so with vigour!

How to register

Online via the website. It's a first come first served registration process, with no ballot.

Race website

https://www.thesfmarathon.com/