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The San Francisco Marathon Runner Comments
Back to The San Francisco Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 2.6
Number of comments: 503 [displaying comments 271 to 281]
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Jennifer Carvalho from Paradise, CA
(7/31/2006)
"Loved the race, was bummed to not get a chip." (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I was disconcerted in the morning when I went to attach my timing chip and there wasn't one in the envelope. We didn't realize that they were not included and I wish that volunteers at the expo had told us to get in a separate line for the chips. So, I can't officially see my name and time included in the results. However, I ran it in 4:47, shaving 20 minutes off my previous marathon time. The course was beautiful, the first 12 were amazing. Having the 2nd 1/2 marathon start in the middle of the park was a little unsettling. It was tough to have 1000's of fresh 1/2 marathon runners pouring around you as you struggle to keep pace for the whole distance. Overall, I loved the race and will do it again. | |
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D. C. from San Francisco
(7/31/2006)
"Small-town effort in, well, a small town" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Race marketed as having 15,000 runners (and "will sell out"). In reality, there were fewer than 3,000 full marathoners, and fewer than 7000 halfers. The 3:40 pacer was slow, so I ran ahead. A little later, I passed the 3:50 pacer! No timing (clocks or calls) on course. Runners need to be audibly instructed/reminded to step on timing mats. You kind of lose your marbles after awhile.... Sport drinks served in half-filled 2-oz. cups; two gel stations in 26 miles. Be sure to try the sponsor's drink and gel before you run with it (Cytomax here). The 2006 course was nice in the first half, and ended in desolate blight. General lack of spectator interest. Should be run the other direction. The only food at finish seemed to be promotional or required payment. The taco truck letting people tear chunks of giant tortillas out of an aluminum roasting pan seemed a little unsanitary. No massages. Nowhere to sit/stretch except on a curb, sidewalk, cobblestones or asphalt. Total environmental waste to be issuing Mylar blankets on a sunny 70-degree day. There needs to be more segregation at the finish between runners and spectators, esp. in regard to food. Who would go to a BBQ sponsored by "Organs 'R Us"? (I did not make that up.) | |
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Cesar Carbajal from Los Angeles
(7/31/2006)
"Where are the fans?" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 In 2006, I ran my first SFM, and this could be my last one. The early start is really nice; being in the second wave allowed me to run almost alone for many miles. I think more water stations would be better. I have run the Los Angeles and San Diego this year and I really missed the cheering at this marathon. The fans, maybe because of the time, were scarce. Actually, it was me cheering the fans for the bravery of waking up so early. I prefer Los Angeles. | |
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C. P. from California
(7/31/2006)
"Buyer Beware!" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Just had to contribute to the discussion. Positives: 1. Absolutely stunning views of the city. Loved the view from the Golden Gate Bridge. 2. Water stops had plenty of water/Cytomax. Plenty of Gu, even at the end of the race. 3. Porta-potties at every water stop, nice touch. 4. Very nice medal. Negatives - Buyer BEWARE: 1. The course was advertised as "moderately difficult," but appropriate for a first marathon. I gravely disagree. This was my third marathon and my parents' 22nd marathon. We agree that this was a VERY difficult marathon and NOT appropriate for a first marathon. The topography map does not do the never-ending inclines and the extremely steep declines justice. 2. Poor organization!!!! The bag-drop was not clearly marked and the race start was UNCLEAR. The runners were looking around saying, "Was that the start?" The "corrals" were nonexistent. 3. The bridge was extremely congested; felt very claustrophobic, and how an ambulance could have helped a stranded runner out there, I have no idea.... 4. The expo was poorly organized, under tents and AGAIN congested!!!! Not a big fan of the t-shirt, either. | |
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A. Y. from S.D.
(7/31/2006)
"A+ Improvements: SFM now a 1st-rate urban marathon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 The San Francisco Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Having run this race last year, I am happy to report that the race directors took the various criticisms into account and corrected them; they even got us better weather, so we could see the Golden Gate Bridge as we approached, and then there were views from the bridge! Seriously, as to the things under their control, they: 1) dropped the walker early start so the runners and slower folk didn't all converge on the bridge in one horrific mass; 2) had a much more staggered start (results by chip time, so totally fair there) to reduce congestion; 3) covered the grills on the bridge with mats, so not slippery; 4) had better stocked aid stations; 5) a better expo; 6) more food at the end! I know I whined about this one last year, so I want to step up and acknowledge what a great job the folks there have done to address the downsides of what is now a truly grand urban marathon. This is one the races that offers the age-graded tables that are really fun. | |
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C. T. from New York, NY
(7/31/2006)
"Second Half Marathon = Best So Far!!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the 2006 second half marathon, and absolutely loved it! The course was well marked and the volunteers directing traffic were all well informed and did their job well. I was a bit concerned about the parts where the course takes two different routes depending on traffic, but there was never any confusion. The weather was practically perfect - sunny and clear, but not so warm that it was uncomfortable. The first few miles in Golden Gate Park were great, as there was lots of shade. I was concerned about the sun once we left the park, but once again, I was worried for nothing - the course offers plentiful shade in many parts. The hills were challenging, but not impossible by any stretch of the imagination - in fact, I PR'ed by 17 minutes on this course! There was one industrial stretch near the end that got boring, but other than that, the second half marathon felt more like a sightseeing tour than a grueling race! I would have appreciated one or two more water stops, but I read the website ahead of time and, knowing how the stops were laid out, planned ahead and carried my own water/Gatorade to supplement the stops on the course. Also, if the race director reads this, Gatorade Endurance is a much, much better electrolyte drink than Cytomax - please consider this when picking your electrolyte sponsor for next year. It seems that most of the complaints I've heard come from the first half of the marathon. If you are looking to run a half marathon, I highly recommend the second half of the S.F. Marathon - you'll avoid any issues with the Golden Gate Bridge, get a great run in, and finish with the full marathoners, which means lots of cheering at the end. From what I heard from first half runners, the second half is definitely a more relaxed race - all the perks of a smaller race (about 2,500 runners, I believe) with the benefits of a bigger race like the overall S.F. Marathon. I loved this race, and will definitely be back next year! | |
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Mike Brennan from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(7/31/2006)
"Extremely well done." (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The combination of a challenging course, great running weather, and fine organization has made this an excellent race. I had mild concerns based upon the comments re: last year's race, but the organizers must have taken those to heart and made the necessary changes. Expo was crowded, but not impossible. Great seminars, including an entertaining talk from Dean Karnazes. The corral system for the start worked very well. The G. Gate Bridge went off without a hitch; hardly had to break stride, and could keep pace well. While there are a number of hills, they kept the worst ones to the first half of the race. Golden Gate Park, the Haight, all of it was well-organized. Every aid station was well-stocked with Cytomax (great choice) and water. Didn't have to wait for service once. The surprise for me was how great the spectators were. Constantly cheering, great support, even some non-official aid stations (including a proverbial paper "brick wall" to run through!). Finish-line food was fine. My only change for next year would be a few more food choices at the end. Well done, S.F. Marathon. This was a great race. | |
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D. L. from La Jolla, CA
(7/31/2006)
"lightyears better than last year" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 The San Francisco Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 They listened... the wave starts meant the bridge wasn't over crowded. The water stations were well run. My two compaints were minor - the pasta dinner was weak, and the gulp-and-go gel was nasty. That being said, HUGE improvement. | |
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S. W. from Gilroy, Ca
(7/30/2006)
"Cheers from local residents on course were awesome" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It is difficult to stay focused when you are one of the slower runners and you have to continually move out of the way of bikers on the GG Bridge. | |
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J. F. from San Jose, CA
(7/30/2006)
"What a major improvement from last year!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 The San Francisco Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I was one of those people last year that was pretty hard on this race for falling short of my expectations. It appears that the race director read every single one of our comments and tried to address them. First, the wave starts were absolutely perfect! I was able to start running immediately and from the looks of it, there was no major congestion at the GG Bridge. Second, the water stops were much better also! Third, t-shirt was the right size this year. Finally, the course was absolutely amazing. You won't find a lot of spectators on this race, but except for a few miles, the views are stunning. The food was fine and appeared to be available in adequate amounts. Some may complain about the expo, but it was really no big deal to walk over to another building to get the t-shirt. In some of the bigger races, you will walk across some huge convention center just to get your stuff. Kudos to the San Francisco Marathon for listening to the runners and providing a race that SF should be proud of. Now if they could only do something about those pesky hills.... |
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