Header for the 2024 San Francisco Marathon Athlete Guide with runners running from the olden Gate Bridge

Race Director Lauri Abrahamsen Introduces the 2024 San Francisco Marathon Live on TV

Less than two days remain before the 2024 San Francisco Marathon runners take to the streets of our beautiful city. With the race quickly approaching, final preparations are underway and the SF Marathon team is looking forward to welcoming our runners to the Race Expo. Only a few hours before the Expo is set to open its doors to the ... 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
Two athletes rest on the running track during their taper

Getting Yourself to Go Time: How to Taper Like a Pro in 5 Steps

You’ve followed the training plan, your final long run is done, and now you’re in the home stretch leading into race day. While some runners have no problem playing it cool in these final few weeks before the start line, a good percentage of us feel uneasy as we decrease our activity levels. How to taper without going crazy? Coach Karen ... More
Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park with yellow tulips in front of the Victorian building

Miles 16-20: NO DANCING in Golden Gate Park | Course Landmarks and Their History

The San Francisco Marathon course takes you on a counterclockwise 26.2 miles long tour along the Embarcadero of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, back to the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, to Haight Ashbury, the Mission, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, and the finish line. We’ve introduced Mile 1 and The Embarcadero ... More
A Black woman in sports clothing and a sports bra pumps her arms during a run

Women Run the World: the Sports Bra Problem | A New Series for Women Runners by Coach Karen

The benefits of being a runner are nearly countless. To name a few, there's better sleep and mental health, a sense of community, an amazing way to experience places you wouldn’t otherwise, stronger bones, and even a healthier libido! To boot, studies have shown that women who put in miles live longer, with about half the effort of male ... More
Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, aerial view

Miles 2-15: The Golden Gate Bridge & GGNRA—the Flattest Flats, the Steepest Hills | Course Landmarks and Their History

The San Francisco Marathon course takes you on a counterclockwise 26.2 miles long tour along the Embarcadero of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, back to the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, to Haight Ashbury, the Mission, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, and the finish line. We've introduced Mile 1 and The Embarcadero in the ... More
The Embarcadero, San Francisco, aerial view of the Ferry Building, the Embarcadero, and palm trees

The San Francisco Marathon Mile 1: The Embarcadero | Course Landmarks and Their History

The San Francisco Marathon course takes you on a counterclockwise 26.2 miles long tour along the Embarcadero of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, back to the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, to Haight Ashbury, the Mission, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, and the finish line. Right at the start of Mile 1 of the 2024 San ... More
Alex Parra running on crutches during the San Francisco Marathon

How and Why Amputee Alex Parra Ran the San Francisco Marathon on Crutches | Runner Spotlight Series

Alex Parra, also known on social media as Alex1Leg, is a two-time cancer survivor, an amputee, a disability advocate, and a motivational speaker. Originally from Roseville in California, he now lives in Vancouver, Washington where he moved to be closer to nature. Besides going on hikes, he also loves making videos and bringing awareness to ... More
Monika Gebarzewska

National Volunteer Week: Meet Monika Gebarzewska, Our Volunteer Manager | Meet the Team

Welcome to the very first post from our new blog series, "Meet the Team." Since it's National Volunteer Week, we're excited to introduce to you our Administrative Assistant and Volunteer Manager Monika Gebarzewska, who's also a passionate athlete herself. Monika Gebarzewska the Collegiate Athlete Running has been a part of Monika's life ... More

Sustainability in Running: What We in the Running Community Can Do to Be More Environmentally Friendly During Races and Training

When you go out on a run, sustainability probably isn't the number one thing you think about. The only time it might come to your mind is when you see litter along your route and make sure that your gel wrapper is safely tucked in your pocket, waiting to be disposed of at home. If you're one of us occasionally completing our (cross-) training ... More