The San Francisco Marathon is ideal for runners seeking a mid-summer road race challenge! This marathon does not muster the popularity of a Chicago or New York race since it is in deep summer but people do not realize running temps never rise much above 65 degrees.
It does make for a great choice for any running addict seeking a good run during mid-summer.
Also, any runner hitting the Internet searching for a race in what is a commonly hot calendar month will find fewer options other than the San Francisco Marathon.
Additionally, the imposing hills making up the San Franciscan landscape offer formidable challenge to even the best conditioned athlete.
Race History
Throughout the years, race organizers have resisted changing the course making it less difficult.
In fact, local fans take gleeful pride in the fact the San Francisco Marathon is a tough road race.
One reason many of the top runners avoid participation is there exists little chance running this race will ever result in a personal best time.
However, altering the course would deny runners passing some of the city’s most fabulous sights and storied neighborhoods.
During sponsored years, winning runners received cash prizes for their stalwart efforts.
But in the inaugural year of 1977, a cab driver from Reno, Nev., Athol Barton, ran home with the coveted prize of a T-shirt only.
Compare this modest reward to what Pete Pfitzinger won with his first-place finish in 1986 – $5,000 and a car. Unfortunately, no cash prizes were offered from 2002 to 2010 due to the lack of a major event sponsor. Organizers have not revealed if any major sponsor has been found for the 2011 event that takes place.
Race Course
The race course for the San Francisco Marathon has changed often since the inaugural running in 1977. Originally, the starting line was in Marin County. It was moved to San Francisco in the 1980s.
The year 1999 say race organizers once again alter the course to make it a faster run. Changes caused the race to have a start and finish at the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park. Running across the Golden Gate Bridge was removed from the course.
Again, the start and finish line was moved in 2002 to the Embarcadero close to the Ferry Building. The course does take runners past many of San Francisco’s notable landmarks including AT&T Park, Golden Gate Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, Aquatic Park and Fisherman’s Wharf. Runners briefly cross through part of Marin County near the northern edge of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The last edition of Hal Higdon´s Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide
How To Register
Registration for the San Francisco Marathon can be completed online. The race organizers not only offer, but highly encourage, all registrants to raise money for associated charities that will result in entry fee reimbursement.
The process is fairly simple. Participants, once registered, sign up with the fundraising partner for the marathon, Crowdrise, to begin raising money for charity. Then, registrants raise as much money as possible for the designated charity.
Once the reimbursement level has been reached, participants notify the race organizers by the stated date and a reimbursement check is mailed by the selected charity.
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