Traditional Greek pottery art with silhouettes of men running

26.2 Curious Facts about Marathons to Fill your Need for Wonder

The marathon is a test of endurance, spirit, and willpower. It covers 26.2 miles (or 42.195 kilometers), which has become the ultimate challenge for long-distance runners. In the world of running, marathons hold a special place in many runners' and non-runners' hearts. Basic Marathon Facts A marathon is a long-distance running event ... More
Streetcar no 1015 Illinois Terminal Railroad drives through the Castro District on the historic F-Market Line

The Historic F-Market Line | SFM Ambassador Scott Benbow’s City Guide

Welcome to an exploration of San Francisco’s vibrant culture and astonishing history. Each month, we’ll focus on a different San Francisco subject, uncovering the stories that have shaped the city’s character. This time around, it's the historic streetcar F-Market Line. If you’re running the San Francisco Marathon and would like to ... More
Old-fashioned San Francisco street cars ride around Mission District at sunrise

Miles 21-26.2: Mission District—Fast and Flat to the Finish Line | Course Landmarks and Their History

If you think of a marathon as two 10-mile runs followed by a 10-kilometer run, then the first two segments are done and there’s only one left. A glance at the elevation map for the final 10K reveals that the biggest and steepest uphills are behind you. The Haight neighborhood, Mission District, and the Dogpatch await your arrival. Take a ... More

BEYOND GOLDEN GATE PARK | TAKING THE RACE THROUGH THE CITY

Contributed by Erin Mara, a writer and runner living in San Francisco. Above: August 19, 1984 – San Francisco, California, United States: Runners in Golden Gate Park, with the Conservatory of Flowers in the background, during The San Francisco Marathon. (Steve Ringman / San Francisco Chronicle / Polaris) After the inaugural San ... More

OLYMPIC DREAMS

Contributed by Erin Mara, a writer and runner living in San Francisco. Above: August 19, 1984 – San Francisco, California, United States: Runners in Golden Gate Park, with the Conservatory of Flowers in the background, during The San Francisco Marathon. (Steve Ringman / San Francisco Chronicle / Polaris) The San Francisco Marathon has ... More

HOW THE SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON GOT ITS START

Above: August 19, 1984 – San Francisco, California, United States: Runners in Golden Gate Park, with the Conservatory of Flowers in the background, during The San Francisco Marathon. (Steve Ringman / San Francisco Chronicle / Polaris) Contributed by Erin Mara, a writer and runner living in San Francisco. The San Francisco Marathon — ... More