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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 301 to 311]
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Aaron Peeks from Lincoln, NE
(8/16/2005)
"Disappointed all around..." (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 I heard many good things about this course and maybe that is why I was so disappointed. The race starts too early, and by that I mean, it starts so early that you can't see anything on the bridge b/c it is so foggy. I can't figure out what is so great about the bridge if you can't see anything. Maybe it was b/c the organizers had two lanes of traffic TOTAL for the runners going over the bridge and back. For me, it was nice to catch up to the walkers who took advantage of the early start. 13,000 runners funneling into 2 lanes on the bridge, genius. Running through the park was great and the water stations were superior. Running through dilapidated areas toward the end of the race was a huge eyesore. My shirt said "large" but it MIGHT be a medium. Not worth the $96 I paid.... OUCH. | |
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N. Y. from Phoenix, AZ
(8/16/2005)
"Failed to Deliver on Potential" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 The expo was the most commercial I've attended and forcing people through those lines was so.....corporate. Ran the 1/2 marathon and didn't like running in the dark at the start. The course had potential but once there was daylight I couldn't see much because of the fog. I'm sure the course offered great views if there was good visibility. The hills were fun and I enjoyed the run at the end through the park. The aid stations didn't have enough staff...I mean this is a major race so give me a break! At most aid stations runners were bumping into each other. There wasn't much crowd support but that's not surprising because of the start time. There weren't mile markers...this is a race in a major city...sponsored by Runners World right? There also weren't split times, not that I'm a speed demon or anything. If you want to run a much better 1/2 marathon do yourself a favor and run the San Diego 1/2...scenic, well organized,and fantastic crowd support. | |
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A. S. from Chicago, IL
(8/15/2005)
"Great race, loved it - set a PR" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I loved this race and course, forget that I set a PR!!! Sure there were some problems: the shirt sizes and the snacks, but overall this was a great race. Good water stops, great views, and open roads which let us all get our strides early during the run. And yes, there was a dead skunk, but that made it all the more interesting. Stop complaining people, it was a race you were there to run, not for the shirt or food. Good times... I will be back in 2 years! | |
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Craig Brandon from Clovis, CA
(8/15/2005)
"Great Race; Don't Miss" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 The San Francisco Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Great time in the city by the bay. It was my 3rd SF Marathon and my best. You need to run this marathon; cool weather, tough course but interesting sites. Golden Gate was great. | |
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Jean Fogarty from Boston, MA
(8/11/2005)
"It was the perfect first-time experience" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Although this was my first marathon experience, I felt that this was the perfect one to be a part of. The course, the spectator support and my friends who I ran with made this day perfect for me. I look forward to next year! | |
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C. L. from New York City
(8/11/2005)
"Absolutely fantastic..." (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Absolutely fantastic... from the start time (5:20am) to the course (breathtaking, except for miles 21-24), to the hills... (very challenging). Very, very memorable. | |
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B. C. from Atlanta,Ga
(8/11/2005)
"Wonderful time in San Fran" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Ran the first half and it was a wonderful experience. Beautiful area with perfect starting conditions for a marathon. I loved running over the bridge and by the water. I will definitely do this marathon or half again. The only significant negative was the relative dearth of port-a-potties at the start (Runners World should know better). | |
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J. B. from Pennsylvania
(8/10/2005)
"Marathon in need of help!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Every marathon has its ups and downs (pun intended). In this event there were more downs then ups. Here were my impressions. The Good: SF is a great city to see; that alone will make the trip worthwhile. The weather was perfect for a summer marathon. Cytomax was a lot easier on my stomach then Gatorade. I love the volunteers; they were great. It was interesting seeing the police and biker communities working together to control traffic. First-rate shirt, hat and medal. Coming from the east coast and staying downtown, I loved the start time and location. Hasher beer stop at mile 20. The Bad: Starting walkers 20 minutes early was just plain stupid. The bridge was dangerous and crowded. If you want to run the bridge you need to close it to vehicle traffic. The dead skunks at mile 10 added a unique touch I've never experienced before. Too few clocks on the course. I ran in the dark for 22 minutes before I could see if my watch started. Too few water stops on the second half (OK I was looking for a reason to stop). The first few water stops were grossly overmatched by the volume of runners. Post-race food was an embarassment. | |
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J. C. from Orange County, CA
(8/10/2005)
"I'll be back - despite a few problems" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Great course, great city and perfect running weather. I think the bridge needs to go (either that or route the half marathoners in some other direction). Start was a little early, but it was nice to be done before 9:00. RW stepped in, hyped it up, but didn't deliver. Post-race food was a joke. Makes you wonder if the RW brass have ever been to a race... The city of SF seems to have never cared about this race. If you need crowd support to get you through, you've come to the wrong place. I look forward to coming back next summer. | |
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Gary Lok from San Gabriel, California
(8/9/2005)
"Great weather and start time. " (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Couldn't ask for better weather and start time. This as a result left me with time and energy to enjoy the rest of the day strolling in the city. Will definitely be back. |
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