How hilly is the The San Francisco Marathon?
The The San Francisco Marathon is described as hilly. The course listing puts the climb at 397 m.
The San Francisco Marathon
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2026 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Decision summary
The San Francisco Marathon at a glance
- Cut-off average pace
- 8:32/km
- Typical conditions
- 65/100
- Evidence depth
- 43 verified facts
6:00:00 total limit divided by distance. Check gun/chip timing and intermediate limits; allow time for stops.
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Source facts available
Route details
Known course facts at a glance
The San Francisco Marathon has known course details for its marathon race. The summary below keeps the focus on what is confirmed for the course.
- Official distance
- 42.2 km
- Terrain
- Road
- Scenery
- Waterfront, City, Coastal, Parkland, Forest, Historic
Quick answers
What runners ask first
Where does the The San Francisco Marathon route go?
The The San Francisco Marathon route starts at Embarcadero at Market, near the Ferry Building, San Francisco and finishes at Embarcadero at Howard, San Francisco. Underfoot, expect road. It passes Embarcadero, Ferry Building, Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park and Marina Green. multiple distance options including a unique two-loop 52.4-mile ultramarathon and two complementary half marathons covering the first and second halves of the marathon course.
Race character
Scenery
- Waterfront
- City
- Coastal
- Parkland
- Forest
- Historic
Terrain
- Road
- Elevation character
- Hilly
- Technicality
- Non Technical
- Source-stated ascent
- 397 m
- Net elevation
- 0 m
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Field size
- Approximately 27,500 places across all distances; grown from ~900 runners at the 1977 inaugural to more than 25,000 today
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Past event: The listed edition date has passed.
- Cut-off
- 6-hour time limit; staggered start from 5:15 a.m. (Corral A) through 5:30 a.m. (Corral C)
- Sold out
- Yes
- Qualification status
- Official Boston Marathon qualifying race; results can be used to qualify for the Boston Marathon
Race day logistics
- Expo / packet pickup
- Health & Fitness Expo at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion, #2 Marina Blvd; Fri Jul 24 11:00-19:00 and Sat Jul 25 09:00-17:00
- Medal
- Full marathon finishers receive a technical fabric long-sleeved shirt and a finisher medal
Access and course status
- Start
- Embarcadero at Market, near the Ferry Building, San Francisco
- Finish
- Embarcadero at Howard, San Francisco
Course facts
- Course type
- Loop
- Surface
- Road
- Landmarks
- Embarcadero, Ferry Building, Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park, Marina Green, Crissy Field, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Haight Street, Oracle Park, Bay Bridge
- Notable features
- Abbott WMM Wanda Age Group World Championships qualifying event
- multiple distance options including a unique two-loop 52.4-mile ultramarathon and two complementary half marathons covering the first and second halves of the marathon course
- 'pay over time' financing via Affirm offered at registration
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 16°CTypical temperature
- 28 kphTypical wind
- 0 mmTypical rainfall
- 65Favourability /100