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California > San Francisco Marathon, Half Marathons & 5K
San Francisco, CA
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Date

Sunday, July 25, 2010


 
Event Details

For runners considering taking part in San Francisco's summertime Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K running event, you'll face a choice not found at most other races -- there are actually two half-marathon events to choose from at this race, as runners may run either the first or the second 13.1 miles of the full marathon course. Both races show off different parts of what makes the city what it is, from the Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf in the first half to the scenery of the second half, including gorgeous Golden Gate Park, Haight Ashbury district and AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.

The course for the first half marathon starts on the waterfront downtown, at Embarcadero and Mission Street, and takes runners on a point-to-point course that follows a mostly westward route along the waterfront through the city, all the way to Golden Gate Park. Along the way, runners are treated to sights such as the sea lions barking on the shore along Fisherman's Wharf to local architectural icons like the Transamerica building and the Coit Tower. The course also takes runners past the gorgeous homes and yachts in the Marina, as well as past the wetlands areas of the Presidio.

For the second half marathon, the race picks up quite literally where the first half left off, starting runners off in Golden Gate Park and taking them on what is largely an eastward route through the city, on the way toward the finish line on the waterfront at Embarcadero and Folsom. From the start inside Golden Gate, the course first half unfolds almost entirely along roads through the park, taking runners past Strawberry Hill, the Conservatory of Flowers and Stow Lake.

The second half course exits the park on Haight Street and takes runners through a neighborhood that will take you back in time to the 1960s, past Sharon Meadows and through the Alvord Lake Tunnel on your way to the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. From there, the course takes runners next toward the Mission District, which has a distinctly Latin vibe, and along the promenade behind AT&T Park, where Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants play.

After the baseball park, the course takes a quick run under the Bay Bridge on its way toward the finish line for the second half, along the Embarcadero at Folsom Street. The race is run entirely on paved city streets, and for what is in many places a very hilly city, the race is thankfully free of any steep, sudden changes in elevation, either uphill or downhill. There are hills, to be sure -- most notably between mile markers 5 and 6, and 9 and 10 -- but runners won't have to climb the intimidating hills that the city is known for.


Race Weather & Climate

San Francisco's weather was perhaps best described by Mark Twain, who famously noted that "the coldest winter I ever saw was a summer I spent in San Francisco." In July, the city's weather is typically mild to moderately cool, as monthly average temperatures range between 68°F and 54°F. Rainfall amounts during the month are almost nonexistent, averaging less than a tenth of an inch.


Fees

$75 for either the 1st or 2nd half marathon, if registered before the race weekend
$110 for either half marathon on the race weekend (July 23-24)


Registration

To reserve your spot in the summer 2010 running of either of the half marathon events at the San Francisco Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, register online at the event website.


Website

www.runsfm.com


Course Map - 1st Half Marathon


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Course Map - 2nd Half Marathon


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Share Your Race Story

Ever run in San Francisco's annual marathon or half marathon? Share your impressions and read fellow runners' stories and tips for the event.

Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the San Francisco Marathon & Half Marathons


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