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San Francisco Marathon Information
The Course
The start line is located on the Embarcadero at Mission Street. Start the race by running along the Embarcadero and past the renovated Ferry Building and Food Mart. Within the first mile, you will see some San Francisco icons such as the Transamerica Building and Coit Tower. Continue along the Embarcadero and run past Pier 39. Listen closely to hear the sea lions cheer you on as you make your way towards Fisherman's Wharf.
Running just feet from the San Francisco Bay, catch a whiff of the salt water in Aquatic Park. And as you pace yourself through Fort Mason and up McDowell Drive, take in one of the most the spectacular views the City by the Bay has to offer.
Continue along the Marina, where the course takes you past private yachts and multi- million dollar homes. Entering the Presidio, you run past the restored wetlands and Crissy Field. From the top of Crissy Field Ave., you will overlook the beautiful San Francisco Bay and make your way towards the Golden Gate Bridge.
As you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, look to the right and see the city's unforgettable skyline. On a clear day, you can look above and count the 600,000 rivets within each of the towers. As you enter Marin County, you loop around Vista Point to begin your return leg on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Back in the Presidio, make your way to the crest of the hill and start cruising towards Sea Cliff. As you descend Lincoln Blvd., look to your right and take in the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean entering into the San Francisco Bay. Make your way through the Richmond District and into Golden Gate Park. Escape from the urban atmosphere and see nature at its finest with great lakes, roaming bison and beautiful gardens.
Run by Spreckels Lake where children of all ages play with their remote control sailboats. And run around Stow Lake to find the waterfall and pagoda awaiting your arrival. As you make your way back to the city streets, pass by the Rose Garden and take one last glimpse at the Conservatory of Flowers.
As you run past Sharon Meadows, home of the free rock concerts of the 60s and through the Alvord Lake Tunnel, you begin the journey back in time experiencing the 60s all over again. Run through the legendary Haight Ashbury District and transition to the Latino flavor of the Mission District. Run by the produce marts and taquerias as you make your way towards the Potrero District and into the developing Mission Bay/China Basin District. Here you will see warehouses, old shipyards, and the new UCSF Medical campus.
For the final stretch of the race, run along the promenade behind AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Run under the Bay Bridge and head straight for the Cupid's Arrow where you will be greeted with the finish line. The course ends along the waterfront on the Embarcadero at Folsom, about 2 blocks south of where you started.
Start/ Finish Location
The Start and Finish Line is conveniently located in downtown San Francisco along the waterfront, on the Embarcadero at Mission Street. The staging area will be held walking distance away from the Start and Finish, in Justin Herman Plaza, across from the Ferry Building at Market and Steuart Streets.
Start Times
There will be Wave Starts for the Full Marathon according to your Estimated Finishing Time (EFT). There is no early start for 6-hour plus marathon runners.
2:59 or faster Wave 1 5:30 AM
3:00 - 3:29 Wave 2 5:32 AM
3:30 - 3:44 Wave 3 5:35 AM
No Full Marathoners in this wave Wave 4 5:45 AM
3:45 - 3:59 Wave 5 5:55 AM
4:00 - 4:14 Wave 6 6:05 AM
4:15 - 4:45 Wave 7 6:10 AM
4:45 - 6:00 Wave 8 6:20 AM
Full Marathoners Receive
Besides receiving an Official RunSFM Technical T-Shirt you will also receive a 3.25" coaster medal, and an electronic SFM Finisher's Certificate.
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge
Run the Bridge! Marathon runners do an out and back on the Golden Gate Bridge at Mile 5 of the course.
6-Hour Course Limit
Marathon runners are limited to a 6-Hour finishing time. If you cannot finish within the allotted time you will not be scored. Only scored participants are guaranteed a medal, an Official Finisher's Certificate, and record of course completion. If you are over a 6-Hour pace our course and water stations may be closed. You will be subject to obey the traffic rules of the City and County of San Francisco.
Sweats Check
Marathon runners can drop their sweats at the Start Line of the race (on Embarcadero at Mission St.) and pick them up in the same location when they finish. The sweats check is conveniently located on your way from Justin Herman Plaza to your Start Line and just past your Finish Line on your way to our Family Meet Up in Justin Herman Plaza. If you are checking your sweats, you must put them in a well-marked bag (one will be provided for you at the Expo) with your bib number written legibly on it and securely tied. RunSFM is not liable for any lost, stolen, or damaged items. We STRONGLY recommend not placing any valuable items in your sweat bag. We also recommend that you do not over stuff your bag, place heavy items in the bags, or store any breakables in the bags as they may be moved or dropped. Sweat check will be open until 1 PM.
Timing
RunSFM uses Race Central to time the course. All events use the Champion Chip Timing System. You may bring your own Champion Chip, however you MUST bring it to the Expo to be scanned into our database. In order to be an Official Finisher you must wear your timing chip. You will not qualify for any awards, etc. without an Official Time. If your timing chip is not returned at the Finish Line you will be charged $30. Live Race Results are available online at: www.liveraceresults.com/sfmarathon
Course Awards
The RunSFM Full Marathon won as "Best Local Marathon" by City Sports Magazine.
Alternate Routes
Because San Francisco is a small city geographically and 26.2 miles (of the full marathon) ties up the traffic routes the First Half Marathon course has one alternate route so that traffic can move through the course. The alternate route is as balanced as possible in terms of topography and the effect on the runners. The alternate routes are parallel to each other, so the distance ran is the same in each direction. The locations are: mile 11 (3' +/- climbing elevation difference), mile 20 (8' +/- climbing elevation difference), mile 21 (4' +/- climbing elevation difference), and mile 22 (4' +/- climbing elevation difference).
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