Running in San Francisco Is The Coolest Thing Ever
December 3, 2020 | “There’s something about running in San Francisco,” said Ron Poggi, San Francisco Marathon Race Ambassador. “It’s the coolest thing ever.”
“It’s one of the most scenic marathons I’ve ever done,” said Charles Lim, another Race Ambassador, about the San Francisco Marathon.
“It’s a beautiful course that wraps around most of San Francisco. It was my first full marathon and it’s such a fun course to do. Iconic spots all around the course,” Race Ambassador Leana Lai said.
The Full Marathon course starts before dawn right down at the waterfront — Mission Street and the Embarcadero.
As the sun rises, you’ll get to run by things that you would normally blow right through if you were driving in a car, like the Embarcadero and along the waterfront.
You’ll head to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 and experience the early morning stillness along the fishing port marina as the day begins.
Once you get to Fort Mason, you’ll get to your first hill — yes, San Francisco has hills, so be prepared! But, as Race Ambassador Mike Dasalla says, “The views will be your reward.”
Fort Mason is also where you’ll start to get really good views of San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge. You might want to snap a couple pictures as the bridge comes into view through the fog.
The views will continue as you approach the Golden Gate Bridge, down along the wetland inlet, where the original San Francisco Airport once was, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
And then, there’s the Bridge, the highlight of the San Francisco Marathon for everyone running the full marathon. If you’re running the first half marathon, you’ll run by and enjoy the views of the bridge, but the reward for running the full marathon is that you’ll get run across the Golden Gate Bridge.
For Race Ambassador Ron it’s the best part. He says, “You’re way up there. You feel like you’re in the clouds.” And the views are spectacular, even with the fog, which gives it a mystical reality.
You’ll run up and back on San Francisco’s iconic bridge during the Full Marathon, the only full marathon in San Francisco.
After the bridge and running through the Presidio Fort, the first settled area in San Francisco, past old military sites, you’ll run down Lincoln Blvd., along the oceanfront.
Race Ambassador Charles said, “My favorite part is Lincoln Blvd., where you can see the ocean, see the Sea Cliff neighborhood of San Francisco. It’s a nice backdrop and view. It reminds me of Italy.”
As you’re running toward Golden Gate Park, check out the big beautiful houses in the neighborhoods you’ll be running through. And then, when you’re in Golden Gate Park, don’t miss the bison paddock and real live bison — definitely not something you’re expecting in the City!
If you’re running the first half marathon, Golden Gate Park will be where your race ends. And, if you’re running the second half marathon, you’ll start in Golden Gate Park, but you’ll still get to run through the park and enjoy winding roads running through trees and meadows, waterfalls, streams, ponds, and the peaceful serenity along with the sounds of fellow runners.
From there, you’ll head along the upper Haight, the birthplace of the hippie counterculture of the 1960s, and along the lower Haight past Edwardian and Victorian homes.
Next you’ll run through the Mission District, a neighborhood with Latino roots and a hipster vibe. From there, you’ll head toward 3rd Street, one of the only areas of “old San Francisco” left, along with views of the Bay, looking east to the Berkeley and Oakland foothills.
As you wrap up your race, you’ll run by the new Chase Center, where the Golden State Warriors play and then Oracle Park, where the San Francisco Giants play.
“At the finish, it seems there’s always a baseball game happening the same day as the race, so there are crowds walking toward Oracle Park, cheering you on as you’re finishing,” said Race Ambassador Charles.
As you approach the finish, you run under the Bay Bridge, beckoning you to where the full marathon started. You’ll finish at Cupid’s Arrow, a huge 60-foot sculpture of a bow and arrow in Rincon Park.
Come for the views, the experience, the vibe, the beauty, and the scenery.
Running the San Francisco Marathon will be unlike any experience you’ve ever had before.
Maybe just “the coolest thing ever!”