San Francisco 2nd Half Marathon 2026

That same Sunday, July 26, 2026, a bit later — at 8:30am — once the sun has warmed things up to around 16-18°C (61-64°F) and the morning fog starts to lift, this race kicks off with one of the most special atmospheres of the whole weekend: beneath the giant redwoods and eucalyptus trees of Golden Gate Park, with a singer performing the national anthem right at the start line and live music (steel drum bands, local choirs, DJs) energizing the early miles.This is a favorite among many San Francisco locals, with a noticeably gentler profile than the other half (around 240m of total elevation, with the climbs concentrated in the early miles inside the park itself) and a clearly downhill final stretch toward the bay — which is exactly why it's so popular with runners chasing a personal best. The route passes the beautiful Conservatory of Flowers and skirts Stow Lake, before exiting the park onto Haight Street.From there it enters one of the most characterful neighborhoods in the whole country: Haight-Ashbury, the birthplace of 1960s counterculture — a lively stretch, with music at several points and local cafés where crowds often step outside with coffee in hand to cheer you on. The route then crosses the Mission District, with its distinctly Latin flavor, with more music and cheer stations along 16th and Florida, and Mariposa and Pennsylvania streets. The final stretch passes near the San Francisco Giants' stadium (Oracle Park) and runs beneath the Bay Bridge itself, with the fog now fully lifted and clear views across the bay, before reaching the Embarcadero, where a very special finish line awaits, known as "Cupid's Arrow," with the same festive atmosphere that greets full marathon finishers. The course features 10 aid stations (water, sports drink, gels, and medical support).