San Francisco Marathon draws 30,000 runners for a Golden Gate challenge

This Sunday, July 27, San Francisco will come alive for its iconic marathon. Nearly 30,000 runners are expected to take over the streets of the legendary Californian city in the northwestern United States. With a spectacular crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge and a course as demanding as it is breathtaking, the San Francisco Marathon promises an unforgettable mix of sporting challenge and stunning scenery.

The San Francisco Marathon's origins, evolving over 48 years

The San Francisco Marathon was born in the mid-1970s. Created in 1977 by the local Pamakids Runners Club, which is still going today, its aim was to offer an event organized “by runners, for runners”, a mission that has endured through the decades. The first San Francisco Marathon got underway on July 10, 1977, with nearly 1,000 runners. The inaugural winner was taxi driver Athol Barton, who completed the 42.195 kilometers in 2:24:59. A highly respectable debut time for a race that has always featured significant elevation gain (see the course below). The event's popularity grew quickly: around 7,000 finishers in 1983, nearly 11,000 in 2005 and more than 21,000 in 2009. Although this marathon is not one of the season's major events, it offers qualifying spots for the Boston Marathon. Over the years, the event has expanded to offer several distances: marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and ultramarathon, covering twice the marathon course. They are now held over two days, Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, 2025. There is also a 1-kilometer run for children and their parents on Saturday, July 26 at 8:00 a.m..

An exceptional course, from the Golden Gate to Haight Street

The official 42.195-kilometer course follows a single loop, starting and finishing on the Embarcadero, facing the Bay Bridge. After setting off along the bay, runners pass through Fisherman’s Wharf before reaching Marina Green and Crissy Field, then cross the majestic Golden Gate Bridge in one of the race's defining moments. They turn around at Vista Point, cross back over the bridge and descend towards Golden Gate Park, Haight Street and Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, before finishing on the Embarcadero near Howard Street. An early start is essential. The marathon gets underway at precisely 5:15 a.m. on Sunday from the Embarcadero at Market Street. Another San Francisco Marathon hallmark is its total elevation gain, which comes to around 567 meters. That is worth factoring in if you are chasing a fast time. The course record was set by Simeon Kigen in 1984, in 2:10:18. To help runners handle the demanding course, 14 aid and hydration stations are positioned along the route. The city clearly gets behind its race on the day, much to the delight of runners and spectators. The Golden Gate Bridge, the Embarcadero and the Presidio are closed to traffic.

This Sunday, July 27, San Francisco will come alive for its iconic marathon. Nearly 30,000 runners are expected to take over the streets of the legendary Californian city in the northwestern United States. With a spectacular crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge and a course as demanding as it is breathtaking, the San Francisco Marathon promises an unforgettable mix of sporting challenge and stunning scenery.

Discover the history of the San Francisco Marathon, its iconic course, bridges and community spirit, with race director Lauri Abrahamson.

A record field this year for an ambitious edition

We do not yet know which elite field will line up in San Francisco next Sunday, but one thing is already certain: the 2025 edition will bring together around 30,000 participants across all distances. A record for the race and its organizers. Some will be there to experience a race in a legendary city, while others will be targeting a Boston Marathon qualifying time. Plenty of French runners will be on the starting line along the Embarcadero. On the organizers' website, you can read the account of Christian Robert, an amateur runner who took part in 2016: “I loved every moment of the race, from the fantastic organization and the early start, which worked perfectly with my jet lag, to the enthusiastic crowds lining the course. Being able to run across the Golden Gate Bridge and back is hard to beat… except perhaps for a trail race around Mont Blanc.”

The race's last two winners? In 2024, Americans Charlie Lawrence (2:22:30) and Jenna Wolfrum (2:52:10) were the fastest runners over San Francisco's hills.

This marathon is about more than a sporting challenge. With its iconic scenery, history, demanding profile and strong community spirit, it offers every runner a unique Californian experience.