Sport Today

About the SF marathon:

I ran it as my first marathon a couple of years ago,and really liked it but
i was not quite prepared for the hills and should have saved more for the
end. The race does not lack for interesting SF scenery (a good thing in a
first marathon!). The course starts downhill over the golden gate bridge
into the city and is basically flat-ish until about mile 10 or 12 or so.
Then comes the *famous* Hayes street hill (made famous by the Bay to
Breakers 12K race)- this is about a 300 foot climb in about a mile- not a
killer but you should slow down on it (after all, more than half the miles
are left.) The second half has a lot of rolling hills so this is probably
not a good race for a novice to expect to run a negative split. As others
have mentioned the support is very good (massages at the finish :)  ), the
stadium finish has a big time feel and they give each finisher a medal
which is great for the ego and a great keepsake esp. for a first marathon.
Also, the weather is almost certain to be comfortable. When I ran it it was
55 degrees start to finish!
Enjoy the race!

-Chad

|> I ran it as my first marathon a couple of years ago,and really liked it but
|> i was not quite prepared for the hills and should have saved more for the
|> end. The race does not lack for interesting SF scenery (a good thing in a
|> first marathon!). The course starts downhill over the golden gate bridge
|> into the city and is basically flat-ish until about mile 10 or 12 or so.
|> Then comes the *famous* Hayes street hill (made famous by the Bay to
|> Breakers 12K race)- this is about a 300 foot climb in about a mile- not a
|> killer but you should slow down on it (after all, more than half the miles
|> are left.) The second half has a lot of rolling hills so this is probably
|> not a good race for a novice to expect to run a negative split. As others
|> have mentioned the support is very good (massages at the finish :)  ), the
|> stadium finish has a big time feel and they give each finisher a medal
|> which is great for the ego and a great keepsake esp. for a first marathon.
|> Also, the weather is almost certain to be comfortable. When I ran it it was
|> 55 degrees start to finish!
|> Enjoy the race!
|>
|> -Chad

Note: Chad's description is for the course in '90 (and later), but not the
"new" course that they used in '93. It was much warmer than 55 degrees!
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