Oakland Marathon Reviews

  Hills and a boring last section...

By KT about 2024

Review

Start was delayed by about 26min. All the elevation gain is concentrated into the mile 3-5 and 16-18.. both at brutal segments making it a tough course. Ideally, the gains are weaved in as rolling hills.. Oakland is anything but rolling. Some sections of the course are boring industrial and rundown..

Weather was awesome.. Scenery of bay bridge is stunning...

Race Tips

Train for hills.. they will get you... 200ft gain per mile early on and ~100mile/day again at mile16 js not a joke. Prepare for it.

  Very flat course around the more industrial and commercial areas

By Marty about 2018

Review

The course was changed in 2018 to be a very flat course around the more industrial and commercial areas of Oakland. Not as scenic as when it went up into the Oakland Hills but definitely made it a much faster course.

Big problem in 2018 was that they mismeasured the course by .5 miles making the total 26.7. I and many others knew right at the end there was an issue and told them about it and they offered no apology or guarantee to make sure it didn't happen in the future even though I assume they will be sure it's correct. Luckily I wasn't going for a BQ at the time but if I had and had lost out because of that I would have been plenty pissed.

Race Tips

Pacing strategy is the same as always. Start with a slower pace group than you think you should them move up after about 10 miles.

One very weird thing that this race does is start the half marathon TWO HOURS after the marathon. A friend of mine was doing the half and had no idea so he started with the marathoners and ended up completely messed up on the course, coming back to the finish line after about 15 miles. He was disqualified.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

As usual, get there in plenty of time. It will be dark and the staging area is all grass. it was very muddy and hard to see in 2018. Hopefully they will have more lights in the future.

  

By #mylifeinmiles about 2016

Review

Great support at the end but lifeless in the first few miles. Killer hill but is mostly flat.

Race Tips

Hill train.

  

By RAF about 2015

Review

The climb the first 10.5 miles was not as bad as it looks on the elevation chart. Running up the Oakland hills was nice and it had a great view at the top. The start of the downhill was a little steep. The locals seemed to set-up their own water stations giving out bottles of water. Churches and restaurants also set-up their own aid stations. Friendly and encouraging, felt like a small-town marathon. I will do it again next year. Well organized at the start line and well-attended finish area. It begins and ends at a park next to Lake Merritt.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

There was plenty of street parking near the staging area. Just be aware of road closures.

  

By Rbb about 2012

Review

Did not like the course. A very steep downhill. Runs through unattractive areas. Pot holes. Locals not friendly.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Run San Francisco and not Oakland. Safer, cleaner and much prettier