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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 281 to 291]
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M. P. from Santa Barbara, CA
(7/28/2006)
"Take out the bridge and ban flash photography" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 2 The San Francisco Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran this race in 2005 and 2003, and feel the 2003 course was much better. For the 2005 course, two of the few flat parts were replaced by the Golden Gate Bridge. Running along the bridge felt rather like running along a freeway, with a barrier on one side and traffic on the other. As is usual, it was foggy and there was no view. My glasses misted up and I could hardly see. Adding to the difficulty were photographers blinding us by using flashes; some of them were also leaning over the railings into the runners' lane - I bumped into one as I ran past. Additional problems on this section were slick metal sections, no mile or KM markers and congestion. On the return I could see how the outward lane was crowded and I had to dodge many runners choosing to run instead in the other lane. The inclusion of the bridge had necessitated a very early start. Two years before, I had rather enjoyed running the first section on a bright and sunny morning, but somehow it wasn't the same on this year's dark and cold run. Plus, I had to get past early starters walking four abreast and I nearly ran into a bollard with it being dark. Unlike the previous poster, I quite liked the last section where the marathon merged with the 5-KM race. I rather enjoyed overtaking people who had only run 4 KM when I had run over 40! Unfortunately, the timing crew got the races mixed up - I am listed as having only done the 5-KM race. And they gave me a slow time! This could potentially be a very good marathon. It was generally well managed, the course is scenic, and the weather is likely to be good. Just need to adjust the course and start it when it is light. | |
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M. H. from San Jose, Ca.
(7/18/2006)
"Oops, they did it again!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 The biggest minus from last year wasn't the total chaos at the mismanaged start. Maybe this year they'll bring the runners in from the side or back and locate the sweats check and porta-potties accordingly. It's not the icy stare I was given when I said, "If a half-marathoner gets one banana, can I get two?"... although they're pretty vague about what will be available this year so it probably will be slim pickings again. It's not the car that got onto the course in Golden Gate and almost ran me over (maybe they'll get a few more people to police the course there). It's this: 3-hour marathoner starts at 5:30, finishes at 8:30. A 30-minute 5K runner starts at 8, finishes at 8:30, and shares the last mile. You can't imagine what it is like to run 25 miles around 7-minute pace and then be dumped into a sea of 9-10 minute walker/joggers and do the "bob-and-weave" your last mile. If you're a marathoner who runs around 3 to 3:10, stay away from this one until someone can do the math and either adjusts start times or course layout to fix that. | |
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G. C. from San Francisco, CA
(7/17/2006)
"Should be better this year" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 2 The San Francisco Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I agree with the previous poster's comments about last year's race. However, the organizers are implementing many changes for this year, including strict wave starts with faster runners going out first, a better organized finish area, and aid stations that are actually ready to go when the runners show up. There's still a chance the bridge will be crowded and the finish area food and drink will suck, but at least they are trying to address the concerns they heard from numerous runners last year. As for the race, you can't beat the weather, and it's a great course overall even though there are a few boring industrial miles toward the end. | |
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K. P. from Boston, MA
(6/24/2006)
"Worst Organization Ever" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 After reading some positive comments about the race last year, I decided that I needed to respond. There are so many races to run in CA, and SF is such a beautiful city that deserves better. At best, this race is a joke. The bridge, while beautiful in theory, is so crowded that you can't run the pace you want. There are so many people walking that a 3:45 marathoner has to run 10:00+ miles for over two miles. It's awful. I've never seen a start that's so congested and so poorly organized. I've never been at a race where the food was so hard to get to. I can't say enough bad things about this race. At all cost, avoid this race! | |
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Kirby Bacon from New York
(4/21/2006)
"Best Marathon I've Run" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I've run Boston, NY, Paris, Chicago and SF. It's tough to choose between SF and NY, but I think SF wins out as my favorite. My training runs are flat and the hills really weren't a problem. I docked one star from the course because the Golden Gate Bridge was terrible. You are reduced to a crawl and people were running into each other. They need to convince the city to give them extra lanes or axe it from the run. I docked one star from the organization because some of the water stop people seemed shocked to see runners and completely unprepared. I docked two stars from the spectators because there are some crowds, but not too many. I personally like that but if spectators are important for you, then you might want to go run Boston or NY. The second half has fewer people since I think fewer people run the second half-marathon than the first - or at least as a full marathon runner you don't really see them as much because of the start times. I think this marathon has a good balance between having the space to run and it not being so small that the city doesn't accommodate it. The only reason I won't run it again this year is because of the Golden Gate Bridge. Having said that, this is a relaxed, fun and enjoyable marathon - I highly recommend it. | |
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J. M. from Warrensburg, MO
(1/25/2006)
"Unforgettable Experience for a First-Time Marathon" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Being my first marathon, I have nothing to compare this race to. That said, here are my comments: 1. I trained in OH where it is mostly flat, so the hills were an added challenge. Not impossible though, and I stayed on pace throughout the entire race. 2. There were not enough water stations, and unless you were at the head of the pack you didn't get any Gatorade until mile #9. That was just too long to go without electrolyte replacement. 3. I loved the early start! Training in summer forced me to get up early for my long runs so I was used to it. I also like finishing by mid-morning so I had the rest of the day to relax and recover. 4. The course was beautiful!!! Running over the Golden Gate Bridge at dawn in the mist and fog was an unforgettable experience. Overall, I have amazing memories of my first marathon, and I would highly recommend it to others. | |
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S. M. from San Francisco, CA
(1/8/2006)
"Thank you for a great race!" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 The San Francisco Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 When I decided to run the San Francisco Marathon, I decided to run a race. Marathoners these days have become so spoiled. When I started running, I was lucky if there were SIX water stops along the course. I am very grateful for all the volunteers and water/electrolytes I received on this course. My suggestion is that if you really need water at every mile, you should bring your own. But then don't complain about not having enough porta-potties. I've run enough races to know exactly how much water/electrolyte drink I need so I don't have to use a porta-potty on the course. | |
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B. F. from Boston, Massachusetts
(1/3/2006)
"I had so much fun!!!" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Cool race... literally! The temperature was just as they said, 56 degrees. I had so much fun running through the city. I saw all of my friends along the course. Yeah, it's early for people to awake and cheering, but they're my friends. I'd do anything for them (especially after my morning coffee)! | |
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e. c. from san fran, ca
(12/30/2005)
"see T.K. below" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Agreed mostly with T.K.'s comments posted below. My points: - 5am start tough (supporters too lazy to get up early to cheer runners on - also shock to body by waking up at 3am to eat breakfast). - GG Bridge way too crowded, was reduced to a 10:30 pace for 2.5 miles. - Not enough volunteers at water stations/extremely congested. - No course music/entertainment. | |
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Tom Karpowich from Tampa, FL
(11/24/2005)
"Outstanding course! Runners' World should by food." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I trekked from my home in flat, hot Tampa to run the hills in the cool morning. I was not dissappointed. This was an absolute perfect course for my running style. However, I would be hard pressed to come back. I really can't understand why after running for 4.5 hours solid, I would be forced to stand in line for 10 minutes for 1 banana and a Coke Zero (which is horrible after a run). I would gladly have paid another $10 for food - which I did anyway since I had to find a restaurant nearby. Also, I think the men's shirts were really for ladies. I even exchanged mine after the fact, and my 'replacement' is no better than the original. (My XL fits more like a Med). |
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