🇺🇸San Francisco, USA
San Francisco Marathon
Jul 26, 2026
Distance
42.2 km
Elevation gain
590 m
Terrain
Road
Entry type
Open entry
PB potential
Extremely challenging — focus on finishing, not a PB
Beginner friendly
Better suited to experienced runners
About this race
San Francisco's marathon is a test of grit, not a PB course. The 590m of elevation across San Francisco's famously hilly terrain — including the climb to and across the Golden Gate Bridge, multiple ascents through Sausalito and the Marin Headlands (in the two-bridge course option), and the rollers of Golden Gate Park — requires runners to accept they're there for the experience, not the clock. July fog rolls through Golden Gate in the morning, creating an eerie, dreamlike opening kilometres as runners cross the bridge in the mist. The San Francisco climate is reliably cool (12–18°C) — no heat danger. The views from the bridge, the Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood, and the bayside finish near AT&T Park make this one of America's most visually rewarding marathons despite its punishment.
Typical race-day weather
Temperature
11–17°C
Humidity
75–85%
Conditions
Fog in the morning over the bridge, clearing by mid-race
Wind
15–30 km/h — can be fierce on the bridge
Pace Band
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