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The San Francisco Marathon Runner Comments
Back to The San Francisco Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 3.6 
Spectators 2.6
Number of comments: 503 [displaying comments 381 to 391]
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J. F. from Kansas City area
(8/30/2004)
"Fantastic course and climate" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I only ran the first half, so my comments are only worth 50% of those who ran the entire race. But I thought the course for the first half-marathon was absolutely fantastic. Even with the fog and slight drizzle, the scenery was sensational. And while the weather might have detracted slightly from the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, the cool overcast and drizzle made the running conditions almost perfect. The Presidio Hill was a long climb, but well placed within the overall run. Otherwise the first half course was not overly difficult. As noted, mile markers were somewhat off beginning around mile 6. I'm not an expert on race organization, and crowds make no difference to me, so I'll leave it to others to comment on these areas. All I can say is that I'd gladly run this race again, if only to get another chance to run through one of the world's most beautiful cities on a typically cool, foggy San Francisco August morning. I hope that the commenters who get to run in this weather year round realize how good they have it! | |
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D. D. from San Diego, CA
(8/27/2004)
"Nice course, great weather!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is the best weather I have ever run a marathon in. 50s and a slight drizzle part of the way, overcast the whole time. It helped me get PR, in spite of the hills, which really aren't bad. Mile 5-6 is the only significant hill, but once you power through it, it's an easy course from there. The trip back up through Golden Gate Park is a bit tedious and boring, but otherwise the course is great. Organizers were very responsive to questions and feedback. Only two suggestions: 1) Publicity in the Chronicle would be great, especially since it's the title sponsor. Even the LA Times publishes results of the LA Marathon the next day. 2) Allow plenty of time to get there in the morning, and don't count on public transit or taxis. Most transit deosn't run early enough and taxis were all full. We, along with dozens of others stranded up and down Market Street, started late. Thank goodness for timing chips. | |
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Max Borghino from San Francisco
(8/22/2004)
"Good course, poor organization" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 The San Francisco Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This is a beautiful course, but the organization is a very weak compared to other major races. The early water stops were a disaster. Surely it is obvious that you need early water stops to be extra-high capacity as the crowd of runners has not yet thinned out? The mile markers were off by as much as a quarter mile. How hard could it possibly be to put mile markers in the correct place? Food at the finish was weak and poorly distributed. Perhaps y'all could go talk to the San Diego Suzuki organizers - they know how to organize a marathon, and for the same fee. | |
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M. S. from Pennington, NJ
(8/19/2004)
"On a Cool Summer Day You CAN Run Forever" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and it was fun. I really enjoyed it, and I am glad I did it (although it took my quads a few days to agree!). I was looking for a moderately difficult course I could run during the summer (July/August), and this fit perfectly. The course is so beautiful you'll say, 'Hills .. what hills?'. Sure, there are hills, but train for them and you'll crest them. The crowd was fun, and while it's not a Boston or NYC marathon crowd, when you need the crowd, they are there. By the way, thanks whoever you were at mile 15 who had the sign, 'Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever'. I knew at the time you were right (especially since at that time I was feeling my first bouts of pain), and I can now definitely say, 'yes, you are right -- pride is forever'. I was glad I brought food with me for when I finished. The food line at the finish was long and although I think it moved quickly, just the sight of how long it was, and that I wanted to keep moving to work out the lactic acid, I decided not to stand in the long line. Otherwise, a great marathon. The weather was perfect (seriously ... I am not just saying that, really, it was perfect running weather -- mid 50's at the start, high 50's at the end four hours later). Finally, give me another city marathon where you get tourists at Fisherman's Wharf cheering for you, hippies on Haight/Ashbury Street cheering for you, and bison in Golden Gate Park cheering for you. Honest... bison. It's the weirdest thing. Anyway, seriously, with all those things, on a cool summer day you really can run forever. Thanks San Francisco. | |
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C. P. from Pennsylvania
(8/18/2004)
"Beautiful course, little fan support" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a beautiful course. A little hilly but it is San Fransisco. However, there was very little fan support. We got to the first aid station and it wasn't even ready to go. I did like that there were 2 start times because this meant that there was still someone to cheer for me when I crossed the finish line. | |
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a. g. from San Francisco
(8/10/2004)
"Nice course, but what did you do with my money?" (about: 1995)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I'm from San Francisco, have run 13 marathons, and ran just the 1/2 marathon in SF for the 1st time. I was embarassed by the anemic staging of the start (they should be playing the San Francisco theme song!) and the complete absence of entertainment along the route - we could have had rock, blues, bluegrass, classical music as well as dance dance, drumming, etc. from volunteers in a city which prides itself on its artistic diversity. And what's with no food at the finish and the shirt design that looks more like smog over the Golden Gate than fog. Lessons should be taken from marathons of other great cities; even Big Sur goes all out far better than SF. Please lose those Redbull arches. And why not start in Marin and come across the GG Bridge? Next year, use the expensive entry fee wisely and imaginatively, marathon planners. Elevate the marathon presentation to the quality of SF excellence it deserves. | |
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Cheryl Dartt from Pasadena, CA
(8/8/2004)
"WOW! Absolutely perfect!" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I was attracted to the San Francisco Marathon's promise of 'cool summer weather' after experiencing the horrible heat of the L.A. Marathon. I was initially concerned about the hills, but thought I'd gladly trade a bit of elevation change for cool weather. All I can say is - wow, did this marathon ever deliver what it promised, and more! I loved the course, the small size of the field, and the weather. My gosh, the weather was INCREDIBLE!! It was overcast for the entire race, with some light drizzle for the first half. There were a few spots where the moisture made the road slippery so you had to be a bit careful. And yep there were hills, but though I didn't do any specific hill training I found I was more than adequately prepared (and the downhills were great!) The course was AMAZING - what a perfect way to see the sites of such a beautiful city! There always seemed to be something new coming up just ahead, which made the race fly by. The course volunteers were great and had plenty of water and electrolytes always at the ready. Downsides were very minor. There are a few spots on the course where alternate routes split off to help with traffic flow, but at one of those points I'm pretty sure a whole string of us got off course, causing us to run a few extra blocks longer than intended before getting back to the right course. The race is a bit on the expensive side, and the food at the end was so-so. Also, there aren't a lot of fans (not a big deal for me) but those that do come to watch are quite supportive. What can I say? The weather and a huge PR have me hooked, and I can't wait for next year! | |
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Steve Stillman from Redondo Beach, Ca
(8/8/2004)
"On a scale of 1 to 10, this was an 11" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 The San Francisco Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was my second marathon and I sure wish it had been my first. The weather was perfect in the 50-60F range with a light drizzle. The scenery was mind boggling. We passed by the Bay Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, the Presidio, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Haight Ashbury, and SBC Park. There were hills but really not that bad. Unfortunately, the spectators were few in number but I really don't need an audience. The only thing I would change is to have the early start at 6am instead of 5am so that daylight would be available during the whole race. I will definitely be back for more! By the way, much of the course is covered in 2 other half marathons--US Half Marathon in October and Home Depot Half Marathon in February. | |
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A. S. from Berkeley, California
(8/5/2004)
"Enthusiastic crowds made my day." (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Running one?s first marathon at age sixty can be intimidating, but the actual run was made enormously easier by San Franciscans, friends and strangers alike, who came out and cheered on the sidelines on a misty, chilly, Sunday morning. They helped me meet my modest goal of finishing intact, in body and spirit. Starting at around six-thirty, from the Great Highway all the way to the finish line, there were clumps of people applauding and shouting encouragement. What an exhilarating, scenic, friendly, life affirming, running experience. It was what you would expect from San Francisco! | |
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J. M. from Reno
(8/5/2004)
"Nice but crowded course" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 The San Francisco Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was the second time I ran this race. San Francisco is an interesting place to run and the weather was good for a marathon. This year the course was crowded for the first 10 miles but I will be back next year. My only complaint is when I needed some Band Aids, the person at the medical booth wouldn't just give them to me. He said I had to sit in a chair to be examined. I don't need to stop running to put on Band Aids and so I just kept running and bleeding. Next year, please hand out Band Aids without a complete medical exam. |
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