San Francisco Marathon guide

Sun, Jul 25, 2027 · San Francisco, CA, USA · Start 5:15 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
Start and finish are both on the Embarcadero (Market St and Howard St).
Convenient areas to stay
The Embarcadero/Financial District near the Ferry Building. The expo is at Fort Mason.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time come from the official site but haven't been re-checked for this edition. Aid station mile markers are approximate.
Plan around before race morning
  • The 5:15 AM start is before regular BART/Muni service, so many runners walk from nearby hotels.
  • The course is hilly and crosses the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • Aid station locations are approximate; check the official course map.

Sources for San Francisco Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
The San Francisco Marathon
Date
Sun, Jul 25, 2027
Distance
Marathon
Start time
5:15 AM
Start location
The Embarcadero at Market Street
Finish location
The Embarcadero at Howard Street
Official race website

Verification date unavailable. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 2–3 · +185 ft
  • Mile 15–16 · +141 ft
  • Mile 3–4 · +95 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 20–21 · −179 ft
  • Mile 21–22 · −139 ft
  • Mile 3–4 · −97 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +35 / −37 ft · Official: 1,303 ft total gain, start 11 ft, high point 294 ft. Course totals ≈ 1,303 ft gain / 1,303 ft loss (source: official course map and mile-by-mile guide).
  • Mile 1–2 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +185 / −57 ft · Climb to the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • Mile 3–4 +95 / −97 ft · Golden Gate Bridge crossing — fog and wind.
  • Mile 4–5 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 5–6 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 13–14 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +141 / −47 ft · Moderate ascent into Golden Gate Park (97→203 ft).
  • Mile 16–17 +94 / −47 ft · Continued climb (203→262 ft).
  • Mile 17–18 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +45 / −179 ft · Steep decline from Baker St (284→152 ft).
  • Mile 21–22 +40 / −139 ft · Descent continues (152→55 ft).
  • Mile 22–23 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 23–24 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +35 / −37 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +7 / −7 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 2

    GEL

    First station — heavy congestion, take fluid on the far side.

  • Mile 4

  • Mile 6

  • Mile 8

    GEL

    Gels available just past the tables.

  • Mile 10

  • Mile 12

  • Mile 14

    GEL

  • Mile 16

  • Mile 18

    GEL

    Last full-service station before the closing miles.

  • Mile 20

  • Mile 22

    GEL

  • Mile 23

  • Mile 25

    GEL

    Final fluids before the finish chute.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib worn visibly on the front. Photo ID required at packet pickup; no race-day pickup. No bandits, pets, strollers or unregistered pacers. Hilly course with a Golden Gate Bridge crossing; bib visible on the front. Clear bag gear check near the start/finish.
Cutoff times
Approximately a 6-hour limit; runners must reach the bridge checkpoints on pace or will be redirected.
Transportation
Start and finish are on the Embarcadero — BART and Muni reach Embarcadero station; early-morning service is limited, so many runners walk from nearby hotels.
Other notes
Course, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and are not yet officially verified — confirm timings and logistics with the organizer before race weekend. Aid station mile markers are approximate — official locations are only published on the organizer's course map; check it before race day.

Verification date unavailable. Source

Race week & expo

  • Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion

    2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA

    Fri, Jul 23, 20277:00 PM – 2:00 AM
    Sat, Jul 24, 20275:00 PM – 12:00 AM
    Packet pickup
    Bib, shirt and race packet are collected together at the expo. Nothing is mailed and there is no race-morning pickup — plan to attend on one of the open days.
    ID requirements
    Government-issued photo ID required for every runner. Picking up for someone else requires a signed authorisation form and a copy of their ID.
    Parking
    Limited paid parking at Fort Mason; Muni buses recommended.
    Transit
    Rideshare drop-off at the main entrance; transit and hotel shuttles serve the venue on expo days.

    Verification date unavailable. No source on file.

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

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