The 2024 San Francisco Marathon is coming up this weekend.
The city’s roads will adjust to accommodate thousands of runners, meaning it can be tricky to get around if you are a pedestrian or driver in San Francisco. Keep reading for the 2024 SF Marathon route, which roads will be closed and where to find bus updates. We’ll also give an overview of the events if you are feeling spontaneous and athletic and want to join in the big challenge a few days before it starts.
Jump straight to:
- Can I still sign up for the full marathon or one of the shorter races?
- How can I cheer my friends on in the SF Marathon?
- What routes within San Francisco will be closed to cars and public transit?
What is the SF Marathon route, and when are the races?
The 26.2-mile main event — the full SF Marathon — is on Sunday, July 28. The full marathon starts at 5:15 a.m. Pacific time on Embarcadero Street at Market Street and finishes on Embarcadero Street at Howard Street.
There are several other races taking place both Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, including half marathons, 10K races and 5K races, as well as a family-friendly run and a dog-friendly race. And if that’s not enough, you can run an ultramarathon this weekend in San Francisco, too. Jump to more information about the races taking place around the SF Marathon this weekend and how to register.
What will the weather be like in San Francisco this weekend for the marathon?
Check the weather forecast again before you head out, but the National Weather Service predicts a high of 65 degrees in San Francisco on Saturday and a partly sunny 67 degrees on Sunday.
(So far, smoke from the major Park Fire in Chico has not yet impacted the Bay Area’s air quality, but consider checking the air quality for San Francisco before spending large amounts of time outside this weekend — especially if you have a health condition like asthma that makes you more vulnerable to the harmful effects of wildfire smoke.)
Whether you’re planning to participate in a race or just spectate, be sure to drink plenty of water well before going out. You can also be strategic about how to combat heat by cooling your body’s pulse points such as your neck, inside your elbows, and behind your knees. It can bring quick relief. KQED has a thorough guide on how to stay safe during a heat wave.
The full marathon has 14 hydration stations, which include water, GU electrolytes, refill stations, medical assistance, and toilets. The SF Marathon encourages runners to bring refillable water bottles that are 50 gallons or less.
Can I defer my SF marathon registration until next year?
In the marathon but not feeling up to the task this weekend?
You can defer your registration to next year for a $39 fee.
But hurry, Saturday — July 27 — is your last chance to do so, and the SF Marathon says organizers “reserve the right to end the option to defer at any time for any reason.”
I want to run in the SF Marathon or one of the other races. What do I need to know?
Feeling motivated all of a sudden? You can still register for one of the SF Marathon races online until Saturday, July 27 at 12 p.m. PDT.
The cost of attending ranges from $356 for the big marathon to $29.99 for the smaller events. SF Marathon’s website says you can use code 20SFM at checkout for 20% off the price of all distances.
- The Full Marathon (Sunday) is 26.2 miles with a six-hour time limit. It starts at 5:15 a.m. from Embarcadero at Market to Howard.
- The Bridge Half Marathon (Sunday) is the one where you get to run the Golden Gate Bridge. It is 13.1 miles with a three-hour time limit. It starts at 6:30 a.m. from Presidio (adjacent to Crissy Field Sports Basement) to Golden Gate Park, on JFK at the Rose Garden.
- The City Half Marathon (Sunday) is the race where you get to run through the neighborhoods. It is 13.1 miles with a 3.5-hour time limit. It starts at 8:30 a.m. from MLK Jr. Drive at Golden Gate Park to Embarcadero at Howard.
- The Alexi Pappas SFM 10K (Sunday) is named after the Olympian. It is 6.2 miles and starts at 7 a.m. from The Embarcadero near Mission Street to the Embarcadero near Washington Street.
Some more race options: There are two 5K runs on different days.
- The Saturday 5K race allows your dog to run with you on the waterfront. It starts at 7 a.m. and is at Crissy Field Stadium. It is a 3.1-mile course, and you have an hour.
- There’s another 5K run on Sunday down Embarcadero, at which dogs are also allowed. It starts at 9 a.m., and it is a 3.1-mile course, and you have an hour.
If all this sounds a little too relaxed, you can also do the marathon on both Saturday and Sunday as an ultramarathon.
Looking for something more family-friendly and chill? There is the Lollipop Family 1K race on Saturday, which is a little under a mile. It starts at 8 a.m. from the Presidio Sports Basement, near the water. It’s $29.99 to register.
If you can’t make it to San Francisco, there is a way to join the race virtually by registering on the SF Marathon’s app. It is about $79.99 to join, and you’ll need to download the SF Marathon tracking app to follow your progress.
You can get all of the results and photos on the SF Marathon website after the end of the race.
How can I cheer the SF Marathon runners on?
Are you a good friend cheering on a runner? Make sure you know which race they are running in — after all, there are six of them. Look at the above section to check out the times and routes.
You can also track a runner’s progress using the SF Marathon app using a bib number.
Read the SF Marathon’s tips for getting to the race.
What routes within San Francisco will be closed to cars and public transit?
If you’re trying to get to the race for the full marathon’s 5:15 a.m. start time on Sunday, the BART service does not start early enough to get you there.
Instead, the SF Marathon will have shuttles from six BART stations to get you to the starter’s line. Buses will run very early in the morning from Walnut Creek, El Cerrito Plaza, MacArthur, Bay Fair, Daly City, and Millbrae BART stations and arrive by 4:30 a.m. at the Main Start Line on the Embarcadero. You’ll need to purchase your bus ticket ahead of time, though.
The SF Marathon website breaks down which city streets will be closed for races at what time, along with some recommended detours. Vehicle traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is on the route, will remain open in both directions throughout the marathon.
A lot of SF Muni lines will be rerouted due to marathon weekend events. Check the SFMTA website for the full list of route changes and road closures in San Francisco this weekend for the SF Marathon.
Working out closures and timings isn’t super simple, and the SFMTA encourages people to call 415-701-2311 with any questions about transit.