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With the sunrise and the Bay Bridge over your shoulder, toe the line as you start your tour of San Francisco. Run along the bay through Fisherman’s Wharf, the Marina Green and Crissy Field on your way to the Golden Gate Bridge. Your first leg of the bridge ends with a one mile downhill toward Sausalito landing along the bay and heading out to Cavallo Point with amazing views of San Francisco across the bay. Head up and under the bridge to begin the journey back into San Francisco, through the Presidio and across the Richmond District neighborhood, into Golden Gate Park where the legendary Haight St. awaits you. Your journey continues across the city, through the Mission District, along newly developed Mission Bay and past the home of the Golden State Warriors and The San Francisco Giants. The Bay Bridge finish line awaits you where the cheering spectators are ready to celebrate your victory with you!
The San Francisco Marathon was the 12th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 14th largest in 2022.
Last year 3.8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 4.3% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the San Francisco Marathon the 369th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 354th highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 96.44 ranks it as the 389th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 28th fastest course in California.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the San Francisco Marathon a PR Score of 95.59. This PR Score ranks it as the 378th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 29th fastest in California.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
San Francisco Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 306 feet (93m) Min Elevation: 5 feet (1m)
You can't beat running through the Golden Gate Bridge and the views from the different boroughs of SF.
The race was a bit chaotic in the corrals with pacers hidden throughout. There was also not much amp in the starting line, no national anthem or announcers calling out the corrals. Only way I knew it started was because the hoards of people started moving up. I even saw some running to catch up to their assigned corrala because of the early start time.
Not nearly enough portapotties, seemed like there was line no matter where you went. Overall lackluster with few crowds cheering you on and messy organization.
Race Tips
Just enjoy the views, the elevation gain isn't that bad with the great weather.
Get to your corrals very early and use the bathrooms in your hotel or home in order to avoid being late. Best to be in walking distance from the start as it's difficult to get dropped off.
AP's review of 2018 San Francisco Marathon.
2 /
5 Stars
Review
I liked the route and the sights and the challenge, but I *really hated* sharing the course with half marathoners starting 1 hr 15 min after me. I was in corral A and got 3:20. What's the point of those corrals if you're going to congest runners halfway through? I'm not used to crowded races because I'm typically in a fast-ish corral. I think I was slowed down at least a minute because of this nonsense. I had to make my way through that entire second half marathon field up until the group arriving at 1:55-2:00. This is most of them. The streets were big enough, but paths through GG park and aid stops were not. The race starts at 5:30am. Cities that aren't hostile to their marathons host the marathon at more spectator-friendly times of day. It's an extremely expensive marathon.
Race Tips
All of the hills are runnable. None of those 30%+ grade streets are among the hills. There is a mile or two total on packed-dirt/gravel so don't wear the shoes that always get pebbles inside.
Staying at a hotel near the start/finish makes logistics a breeze!
Emily's review of 2017 San Francisco Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
The SF marathon is incredibly well organized and a great experience for racers. The course is punishing so don't expect to crush your PRs (unless they are pretty stale and ready to be crushed) - just brace yourself for the hills and enjoy the run through a scenic tour of SF's greatest sights!
Race Tips
The hills keep coming so don't burn yourself out too quickly. Once you get out of golden gate park (around mile 16) it's practically all flat/downhill to the end, with only a couple of minor uphills.
I always took Uber to the start line area (having lived in Berkeley) and that worked well for me. Arrive about an hour before start time.
JP's review of 2017 San Francisco Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
This was my first marathon and for me it was the perfect weather for running! However, it is very hilly- both uphill and downhill. I felt that the organization was very good and the corrals were not very packed. Water, electrolytes etc all along the race when needed.
Race Tips
I would recommend starting slow until Fort Mason hill, and then trying to get your pace before the Golden Gate. Try to save for the second half, specially the first part of the 2nd half in Golden Gate Park gains some good amount of elevation up to the lake. For me, the last hill in Mariposa Street justgetting off the Mission kind of made me hit the wall so be aware of those last hills! That's like mile 23-24. Even if they are short, they are not welcome!
I booked a lyft in advance to the race and it worked really well, I booked it for 4.20-4.30am and was there at 4.45am. Plenty of time to use the bathroom, eat a gel, stretch etc. Also the corral for the 5.32am start didn't open until approximately 5am and it said it closed at 5.20am so there's no point in being too early as the access is easy if you arrive in a Lyft.
Just before the race you can even easily pee so don't worry about that, just jump the fence and pee into the sea with an amazing Bay Bridge view.
4.3 Stars from 13 Reviews
