Race Week Health Protocol Updates*:

Please check back before attending any marathon events. These protocols will be updated as government agencies announce new requirements. Under the advice and/or requirements of government agencies and our medical team, The San Francisco Marathon is implementing the following policies enhancing the safety of our running community:  

Event Changes and Heath Protocol Updates:

• Expo (updated 8/30)
  • Registrant packet pickup: Reservations are required. Pickup will be hosted at Sports Basement’s Presidio location in place of the regular Expo. Sports Basement will be open to the public for retail shopping for vaccinated individuals only. For their latest in-store health protocols click here.
  • Proof of Covid-19 vaccine will be required to enter Sports Basement and wearing of masks or face coverings will be required. Non vaccinated registrants will pick up their packet outside on Saturday ONLY, and wearing of masks or face coverings is required.  
  • Non-vaccinated registrants MUST show proof of a negative Covid-19 rapid test dated within 72 hours of race day.
  • For more detailed information, see below “Expo Packet Pickup’.
• Race Days
  • (updated 9/9) Self-Serve water stations have been added to 3 of the Full Marathon only at water stops: #4 (10.5 miles), #5 (11.5 miles), #12 (22.6 miles).
    • Plan to run with collapsible cup a water container for refilling. 
  • (updated 9/14) On-course mask requirements. National Park property requires all runners to wear masks. There will be signs indicating the zones. If you run without a mask in these zones you maybe disqualified or may be fined by the National Parks. Full Course mask zones: Miles 2.5-3, Miles 5.5 to 7, $ Miles 8.5-13.15. Half Course mask zones: Miles 5.5-6.5, & Miles 10.5-11. 10K Course mask zones: Miles 3.2-4.5. And the entire Sat 5k. Course Maps
  • Sunrise is 6:55 on race morning. Wearing a headlamp is advisable.
  • The two half marathons will be combined into one. For more course information and maps links: 1st and 2nd Half Marathons.
  • Separate Race Start Times: (updated 8/15) Full 5:40, Half 6:45, 10K 7:30 & 5K 7:45. Wearing of masks or face coverings is required at the start areas.
  • Finish line gatherings, including our post race festival, will be limited to essential elements only.
• Registration Options:FAQ Confused about your options? Our handy FAQ Flowchart can help!
• 2021 Registration – Register Now
• Public Health links
  • For information on testing locations: San Francisco or Bay Area 
  • State of California digital Covid-19 Vaccine record 
  • Covid Data Tracker, select California 

*Updated 8/10/21, unless otherwise indicated

Health Protocol Updates – Text Messaging

• The SF Marathon will be sending all registrants an email request to sign up for our SF Marathon text messaging regarding race updates, as well as health and safety protocol updates.

Face Coverings

• (Updated 9/8) Face Coverings are required in start corral/waves, finish areas and strongly encouraged where congregation occurs. Masks are now required on National Parks property. See course maps for mask zone locations by race: Full, Half, 10K, Sat 5K. 

Expo Packet Pickup

• (Updated 8/25) Bibs and Participant Shirts will be picked up inside Sports Basement. Gifts with Registration and Challenge/Loyal items earned will be picked up outside of Sports Basement. Wearing of masks or face coverings is required.

Registrants picking up their packet will be required to:

• (Updated 8/31) Schedule and reserve your packet pickup time. The reservations are required and available now. Runners will receive a link to register via text and/or email (subject line: “Time to sign up for Packet Pickup”). Bring your BIB # and the Reservation Confirmation with you to pick up your bib packet.
• (updated 8/25)  Showing proof of Covid-19 vaccine is required to enter Sports Basement. Non vaccinated registrants will pickup their packet outside on Saturday ONLY. Wearing of masks or face coverings is required.
• Show proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 test results. Proof can be digital or paper copy.
  • Vaccinated registrants will be required to SHOW PROOF of their full vaccine before entering Sports Basement. State of California digital Covid-19 Vaccine record.
  • (updated 8/25)  Non-vaccinated registrants will be required to pick up their bib and participant shirt outside of Sports Basement at the Expo on Saturday ONLY. Wearing of masks or face coverings is required.
  • (updated 8/30) Non-vaccinated registrants MUST show proof of a negative Covid-19 rapid test dated within 72 hours of race day.
• Show drivers license or ID for bib pickup with name matching the bib name (or registration confirmation email name).
• (updated 8/30) If you’re picking up the bib for another runner, all the above will apply. If you’re not running and are picking up a bib, you do need to be vaccinated or tested, you are required wear a mask or facing covering to pick up the bib.
• (Updated 8/25) Entering the Packet Pickup area, only vaccinated participants will be allowed inside Sports Basement and into the packet it pickup area. (Non-vaccinated registrants will be required to pick up their bib and participant shirt outside of Sports Basement at the Expo on Saturday ONLY.)
  • If an adult who is not registered is to accompany you, and they can show proof of vaccination, they can shop in Sports Basement while your are in the packet pick up area.  For their latest in-store health protocols click here.
  • Children  12+ must show proof of vaccination to enter Sports Basement.
    • We strongly discourage bringing a child to the Expo & Packet Pickup.
    • Should a single adult need to bring a child with you to packet it pickup we suggest you request the bib be mailed to you. Or you are required to make a reservation ‘under unvaccinated‘  and pick up your bib outside at Sports Basement on Saturday ONLY. Bringing unvaccinated children inside to packet pickup is not allowed.
• For information on the EXPO hours etc., click here.

Race Day(s)

• All registrants will be required to answer a Covid Screening Questionnaire which will be sent to all registrants via email and/or text messaging on Friday, Sept 17 at 7am for the Sat 5K and on Saturday, Sept 18th at 7am PT for all Sunday Races. If you have answered any of the Covid Screening Questionnaire ‘medical symptoms’ questions positively, or if you do not answer the Questionnaire you should not attend the event and your bib number may be deactivated and may no longer be included in race results.
• (Updated 8/15) Separate Race Start Times. Full 5:40, Half 6:45, 10K 7:30 & 5K 7:45; each start will have wave/corral block time sections based on your estimated finish time to ensure additional participant separation. Participants are to queue up at the start line wave/corrals based on their assigned wave start times, which will be included in their pre race day instructions. Wearing of masks or face coverings is required in start line wave/corrals.
• (Updated 9/8) Masks are now required on National Parks property. This applies to some sections of the course. See course maps for mask zone locations for: Full, Half, 10K races.

Hygiene

• (Updated 8/12) Volunteers & Staff will wear masks or face coverings and gloves. Expo, Start & Finish Line and water stop volunteers and staff will be tested.
• Runners: Runners are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings or masks at Start & Finish Lines and while attending the pre and post race areas, as well as at water stops, on sag buses or in medical service areas.

Sanitation

• There will be dedicated sanitation teams at the packet pickup, start / finish lines and finish festival to help keep areas clean and sanitized often.

VIP Area

• The VIP Hospitality area will follow venue indoor protocols. Private gear check and bathrooms will be available. This year the VIP area will be located in the Hyatt Regency on the Atrium level with access to the race village through the rear of the hotel.

Start Line

• The Start Line will feature larger corral areas plus smaller and more waves with designated start times so runners are more spaced out. Wearing of masks or face coverings is required in start line wave/corrals. Start/Finish Map
• (Updated 8/15) Separate Race Start Times: Full 5:40, Half 6:45, 10K 7:30 & 5K 7:45; each start will have wave/corral block time sections based on your estimated finish time to ensure additional participant separation. Participants are to queue up at the start line wave/corrals based on their assigned wave start times, which will be included in their pre race day instructions.
• Spectator areas will be limited.

Course Mask Requirments

• (Updated 9/8) Masks are now required on National Parks property. This applies to some sections of the course. See course maps for mask zone locations for: Full, Half, 10K races.

Water Stops

• (Updated 9/8) There will be self-serve water stops (on the Full course only) at water stops #4 (10.5 miles), #5 (11.5 miles), #12 (22.6 miles). These will be self serve water stops only. These locations will also have toilets and medical staff. Please reference the full maps.
• Plan to run with a water container for refilling. 
• More water stops will be added to decrease congestion, tables will be spaced farther apart, and there will be more toilets and hand-washing & sanitation stations. Runners are encouraged to bring their own water vessels, ie: handhelds, fuel belts and 50 oz (or smaller) vests; you can refill them at our quick-fill stations at each water stop. No large backpacks allowed. There will also be paper cups for your use if you prefer. Runners are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings or masks when at the water stops.

Food and Energy on-course

• All on-course energy products will be single serve, prepackaged items. Electrolyte will be premixed and available at all water stations. Food sanitation standards will be followed and volunteers will wear mask or face coverings and gloves.

Finish Chute

• Runners will be required to wear masks. Sealed water bottles and bananas will be provided. Runners will be required to keep moving in the chute and must continue to open areas. Runners are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings or masks when in the finish chutes. Spectator areas will be limited. Start/Finish Map

Finish Village

• Finish line gatherings, including our post race festival, will be limited to essential elements only: finish chute, medical support, pickup of challenge medals, shirt exchange, and race day information. There will be no beer garden or race sponsor activities. Results will be available online. Mask or face covering is strongly encouraged. Spectator areas will be limited. Start/Finish Map

Event Transportation

• The two half marathons will be combined, removing the need for busing to and from the staging areas of the half marathons.
• On-course transportation will be limited to sag and medical support only.
• BART Busing for pre-event transportation is still available. Masks will be required.
• There will be no Hotel shuttle service to and from the expo.

Registration Option Information

For Registration FAQ information, click here.

Register Now

For questions, email  customersupport@thesfmarathon.com

New deferral policy for 2021

This year, we are introducing a “No worry deferral policy.” If for any reason you want to defer your race, you can email us at customersupport@thesfmarathon.com before Sept 19, 2021 and defer your full registration to 2022 or 2023 for $39.

The following stipulations apply:

Shirt and Medal

• When deferring to 2022, no shirt and medal will be awarded for 2021, you will receive your shirt and medal in 2022 for the 2022 race.

Loyal Status

• If you are a loyal runner and wish to continue your loyal status in 2022, you must run virtually in 2021 and submit GPS proof of course completion or run using our VIRTUAL365 app by 12/31/2021.
  • You will have to register to run virtually. To register, click here.
  • By registering to run virtually, the included shipping cost covers the shipping of any Loyal and referral items you have earned.
  • Items will be shipped 30 days after race day.

Referral Items

• Items to be picked up in 2022 at the Expo.

Bib & Shirt Mailing, VIP or Bart Bus Tickets

If you had purchased Bib & Shirt mailing, VIP or Bart Bus Tickets, those will be deferred to 2022/2023 along with your registration.

"What if" scenarios

If we must cancel our 2021 race

• Original 2020 runners that deferred to 2021 will be able to convert their registration to run virtually or defer to a future year free of charge
• New 2021 registrants will be able to convert their registration to run virtually free of charge or defer to a future year for $39.
• If there are air quality health issues you may be entitled to a refund if the date for The San Francisco Marathon Event is cancelled because of wildfires. However, this will be entirely dependent on the determination of third-party insurance providers and outside the control of The San Francisco Marathon, Inc. and its affiliates.
• National Parks Air Quality – If there is a area with a “Red” 151+ for more than one hour, there will be review for closure or cancelation for any non-mission essential outdoor activities.

No Refund Policy

Please be aware that our waiver states no refunds will be issued for any reason.