Event Listing - Sports & Recreation

Sun Aug 3, 2008

San Francisco Marathon 2008

The Coolest Summer Marathon

Tel. 415.814.2823
Email San Francisco Marathon 2008
Website

Location	Date and Time
Embarcadero by the water San Francisco, CA . cross street: at Mission district: Embarcadero	Sun Aug 3, 2008 (5am - onwards)

Description

The San Francisco Marathon™ is the "Coolest Summer Marathon!" The race course takes runners on a scenic tour of this California city, including running over the Golden Gate Bridge. Race events include a Full Marathon, two Half Marathons (choose a half), 5K, and Progressive Marathon. The San Francisco Marathon is also a Boston Marathon qualifier.

The start line is located on the Embarcadero at Mission Street. Start the race by running along the Embarcadero and past the renovated Ferry Building and Food Mart. Within the first mile, you will see some San Francisco icons such as the Transamerica Building and Coit Tower. Continue along the Embarcadero and run past Pier 39. Listen closely to hear the sea lions cheer you on as you make your way towards Fisherman's Wharf.

Running just feet from the San Francisco Bay, catch a whiff of the salt water in Aquatic Park. And as you pace yourself through Fort Mason and up McDowell Drive, take in one of the most the spectacular views the City by the Bay has to offer.

Continue along the Marina, where the course takes you past private yachts and multi- million dollar homes. Entering the Presidio, you run past the restored wetlands and Crissy Field. From the top of Crissy Field Ave., you will overlook the beautiful San Francisco Bay and make your way towards the Golden Gate Bridge.

As you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, look to the right and see the city’s unforgettable skyline. On a clear day, you can look above and count the 600,000 rivets within each of the towers. As you enter Marin County, you loop around Vista Point to begin your return leg on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Back in the Presidio, make your way to the crest of the hill and start cruising towards Sea Cliff. As you descend Lincoln Blvd., look to your right and take in the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean entering into the San Francisco Bay. Make your way through the Richmond District and into Golden Gate Park. Escape from the urban atmosphere and see nature at its finest with great lakes, roaming bison and beautiful gardens.

Run by Spreckels Lake where children of all ages play with their remote control sailboats. And run around Stow Lake to find the waterfall and pagoda awaiting your arrival. As you make your way back to the city streets, pass by the Rose Garden and take one last glimpse at the Conservatory of Flowers.

As you run past Sharon Meadows, home of the free rock concerts of the 60s and through the Alvord Lake Tunnel, you begin the journey back in time experiencing the 60s all over again. Run through the legendary Haight Ashbury District and transition to the Latino flavor of the Mission District. Run by the produce marts and taquerias as you make your way towards the Potrero District and into the developing Mission Bay/China Basin District. Here you will see warehouses, old shipyards, and the new UCSF Medical campus.

For the final stretch of the race, run along the promenade behind AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Run under the Bay Bridge and head straight for the Cupid’s Arrow where you will be greeted with the finish line. The course ends along the waterfront on the Embarcadero at Folsom, about 2 blocks south of where you started.