Frequently Asked Questions • The San Francisco Marathon

Registration

• How can I confirm my registration?

  To confirm your registration, check your status on our registration look-up. Please allow 24 hours after registering for your confirmation to appear in the results.

  CHECK STATUS
• How do I make an update to my registration?

  Updates to your registration, including updating your estimated finish time, etc., can be made by contacting customersupport@thesfmarathon.com by or before September 1, 2020. Updates after this date must be made at the Solutions Table at the Expo.
  

• How do I change race events?
  You can change your race event by contacting support@emallc.com by or before September 1, 2020. Updates after this date must be made at the Solutions Table at the Expo.

  All requests will be honored based on availability. Fees are non-transferable to another person or year. There will be a $15 charge to switch to another event or training program plus any additional fees of the new program. Refunds will not be given for downgrading your event, and the $15 event change fee will still apply.
• Can I cancel, transfer, or defer my registration?
  We adhere to the standard running industry policy: All entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. This is noted on our registration application and when you register for our events you must agree to this policy. You may not give or sell your number to another individual – doing so could result in your disqualification as well as the runner using your race number. The entry fee for this year’s event will NOT transfer to next year’s event, no exceptions. This policy stays in effect whether you are injured, have an unexpected business or family emergency, pregnancy, etc. There are NO exceptions.

Race Weekend

• When/Where is the Expo?

  The 2020 San Francisco Marathon will be held on Friday, 24th (12PM-7PM) and Saturday, July 25th (9AM-5PM) at Fort Mason Center. For more information about our Expo, visit our Expo page.
  

• Where do I pick up my bib?

  Bibs must be picked up at the Expo. Runners are required to bring a photo ID to pick up their bibs.. In the event that a runner is unable to pick up their own bib, another person will be able to pick it up with a copy of the runners ID.

• Where do I leave my stuff while I run the race?

  At the Expo, you will be given a clear Bib Bag. You will be instructed to write your bib number on your bag, and store your stuff in this bag on race morning. UPS will be sponsoring our Bib Bag Drop-Off/Gear Check. UPS trucks will be collecting Bib Bags near the appropriate Start Lines and will be returning Bib Bags at appropriate Finish Lines. (Look out for race morning signage that will direct you to the appropriate UPS truck.) All unclaimed Bib Bags will be returned to The San Francisco Marathon Office after the race. Bib Bags will only be returned to runners who request them, and pay a $15 Shipping Fee.

• How can I retrieve my lost and found items, Challenge medals, etc. after the race?

  If you left your sweat check bag behind on race weekend, you must contact us with 5 days to have your items to you for a $20 shipping charge. To have your items shipped to you, please submit your request here. Race shirts, medals, challenge items, loyal items, referral items and free gifts will not be shipped for any reason. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity after 2 weeks.

• What security measures have The San Francisco Marathon put in place?

  The safety of participants, volunteers, spectators and staff is The San Francisco Marathon’s top priority.  We are exhaustive in our planning, and work year round with the City and County of San Francisco, SFPD, SFFD, our medical team and first responders to provide the safest experience possible.

Course

• What are the course time limits?

  Full Marathon – 6 hours or 13:44 minute mile pace
  1st Half Marathon – 3 hours or 13:44 minute mile pace
  2nd Half Marathon – 3.5 hours or a 16:02 minute mile pace
  Ultra Marathon – 6 hours or a 13:45 minute mile pace
  5K Race – 1 hour or x minute mile pace

  If you do not finish under the course limit, we can not guarantee you a medal, official finishers time or access to water stops.

  *Ultra Course Time Limits – Ultra runners must complete the first loop before the last wave of the Full Marathon begins, at 6:32AM. In order to qualify as an official Ultra finisher, runners must finish the second loop within 6 hours. If runners are unable to finish the first loop within the allotted time, runners may not be allowed to start the second loop. All runners that are still running after the course is closed will be asked to continue running on the sidewalk.

• What can I bring with me on the course?

  Headphones, and running vests holding water bottles are allowed on course.  All hydration packs (ie backpack with a water bladder) and backpacks are prohibited. Only the 5K has a stroller division. Runners with strollers are required to start in the last wave for safety purposes.

• How can I see a map of the course?

  Course Maps can be found on the race pages:
  Full Marathon Info
  1st Half Marathon Info
  2nd Half Marathon Info
  Ultra Marathon Info
  Saturday 5K Race Info
  Sunday 5K Race Info

• How can I see an elevation map of the course?

  Course Elevation Maps can be found on the race pages under “Details” and “Elevation”:
  Full Marathon Info
  1st Half Marathon Info
  2nd Half Marathon Info
  Ultra Marathon Info
  Saturday 5K Race Info
  Sunday 5K Race Info

• How many water and fuel stops are on course?

  The Full Marathon includes 16 water stops where you can find water, UCAN Berry Hydrate electrolyte drink, medical, and toilets. Water stops 5 and 10 include GU energy chews. Learn more about the benefits of using UCAN for your runs.
  

• Timing corrections and questions.

  To submit a timing question or request a correction be made to your results, please complete a request form (link on the top right).

Photos

• How can I access photos of myself from the race?

  Runners will receive an email with their photos within a few days after the race. To see photos from previous years, visit our Race Results & Photos page.

Challenges

• How do I qualify for a challenge?

  Each of our challenges are unique and require different qualifying criteria. To learn about each challenge and the eligibility involved, visit our Challenges page.

• How do I confirm my challenge eligibility?

  To confirm your challenge eligibility, please visit our Challenge Eligibility Look-Up.

Charity

• How can I Run For a Charity and receive a free race registration?

  Visit our Charity page, and scroll down to the “FAQ on Charity Partnership” section and click “Can I raise money as an individual?” for more information on how you can do this.

• How can my Charity purchase Charity bibs?

  Visit our Charity page and fill out our application to become a charity partner of the San Francisco Marathon.

Pacers

• What are the Pacer paces and times?

  For an extensive breakdown of our Pacer paces and times, visit the Pace Group Info page.

• How can I become a Pacer?

  Our Pacer positions are currently full for this year. If we need Pacers last minute, we will post an announcement to our social media platforms. So, keep your eyes peeled.

Transportation

• Are there Runner Shuttles on race morning?

  Visit our Travel and Lodging page for instructions on how to access our Free Runner Shuttles. Shuttles will be offered to 1st and 2nd Half Marathon runners only, and will require a bib for entry.

• Does BART run on race morning?

  No, BART does not run early enough to get you to the Start Line. The San Francisco Marathon will be offering early morning bus service from 6 Bay Area BART stations. Visit our Travel and Lodging page for information on pick-up times and locations.

• Is there parking near the course?

  Parking in the city can be a challenge, especially when large-scale events are happening. We have partnered with SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservation app, to help our runners book convenient and affordable parking. To reserve your parking spot, visit The San Francisco Marathon SpotHero Parking Page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up. New to SpotHero? Download the SpotHero app here.

• How else do you recommend traveling within the city on race weekend?

  Rideshare with Lyft! For details on how to request or preschedule a ride, please see our Travel and Lodging page.

  Renting a scooter or bike is also a great option (there will be a bike valet at the Expo!). Check out companies like Scoot, Ford GoBike, or Ferry Building Bike Rentals for more information.

Course Certification

• Is The San Francisco Marathon USATF Certified?

  Yes, our Full, 1st and 2nd Half Marathons are USATF Certified.

• Is The San Francisco Marathon a Boston Marathon Qualifying Race?

  Yes, completing The San Francisco Marathon, in the allotted time, will qualify runners for The Boston Marathon.

Runners with Disabilities

• Can I run the San Francisco Marathon if I have a disability?

  Yes, we are very supportive of our runners with disabilities.

• I am blind and need a guide. How does my guide register?

  After you register, please email our customer support team at customersupport@thesfmarathon.com and they will provide a comp code for your guide. Their bib will be a specialty Guide bib that does not have a timing chip.  If they want to run and receive an official time they need to pay full price for the race during the registration process.

• Do you allow wheelchairs?

  Yes, we allow wheelchairs. Wheelchairs will be placed in the last corral for safety reasons. After you register please email customersupport@thesfmarathon.com so we can place you in the correct corral.

• Do you allow guide dogs?

  Yes, before you register you must email customersupport@thesfmarathon.com to submit your dog’s paperwork. You and your dog will be placed in the last corral for safety purpose. Your dog must be on a leash the entire time.

Additional Questions?

Have a question not listed on our FAQ?

Please contact us at: customersupport@thesfmarathon.com.

Customer Service inquiries will be followed up Monday – Friday, within 48 hours.