Running in San Francisco is an adventure even if you’re not participating in a race. But getting the chance to run across the city’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge is one of the true can’t-miss treasures of road racing in America.
Not at all of these races take you on the bridge — several of them run across from the city in the Marin Headlands and among the dramatic hills and mountains of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and within Golden Gate Park — but all give you plenty of chances to take it all in as you run.
1) Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon
If you’ve ever traveled to San Francisco and driven through or just walked past the gorgeous landscape that is Golden Gate Park, then you know why Runner’s World ranked this as one of the country’s most scenic half marathon races.
Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 • San Francisco, CA
2) Golden Gate Trail Run Half Marathon
Mountains, beaches and a challenging hilly trail run through a vast, unspoiled wilderness that sits right across the bay from one of the country’s densest urban areas — that’s what awaits runners who make the trek across the Golden Gate Bridge to tackle this race.
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 • Sausalito, CA
3) Rabbit Chase Half Marathon
Set to unfold through the jaw-dropping scenery that makes up the more than 82,000 acres of Northern California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Rabbit Chase Race offers up both amazing views and seriously challenging hills.
Saturday, March 24, 2018 • Stinson Beach, CA
4) Salomon San Francisco Half Marathon
With a hilly course featuring a mixture of single track, crushed gravel, and asphalt, the out-and-back course for this race travels along the north end of the city, with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay as backdrops.
Saturday, March 24, 2018 • San Francisco, CA
5) Golden Gate Headlands Half Marathon
Run along a backdrop that combines gorgeous natural vistas with views of San Francisco’s urban skyline in the distance, as well as a hilly and challenging course, this race features some dramatic changes in elevation.
Saturday, March 31, 2018 • Sausalito, CA
6) United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll San Francisco Half Marathon
This race’s stretch over and back across the Golden Gate Bridge, which — if the weather cooperates — offers up some of the most breathtaking views you’ll ever see, with sunlight glinting off the waters of San Francisco Bay as you run across.
Sunday, April 8, 2018 • San Francisco, CA
7) Rodeo Beach Rumble Half Marathon
Run among the hills, trails, military landmarks and dramatic coastal shorelines of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area at this race, where you can enjoy a day at the beach after you cross the finish line at Rodeo Cove.
Saturday, April 28, 2018 • Sausalito, CA
8) Angel Island Half Marathon
Set to run around the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay, this race follows a looping trail around Angel Island State Park, a place where you can see some of the most stunning views of the Marin Headlands and the rest of the Bay Area.
Saturday, June 23, 2018 • Angel Island State Park, CA
9) The San Francisco Half Marathons
There are actually two half marathons at this race, and each shows off different parts of the city, from the Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf in the first half to the scenery of the second half, including gorgeous Golden Gate Park, Haight Ashbury district and AT&T Park.
Sunday, July 29, 2018 • San Francisco, CA
10) ZombieRunner San Francisco Run Half Marathon
Part of a series of races in the Bay Area, this race unfolds through the Presidio and the parks along the San Francisco coastline. You’ll run through Fort Point and the Presidio, and then Baker Beach, Land’s End and Sutro Heights Park along the area known as South Bay.
Saturday, September 8, 2018 • San Francisco, CA
11) The Giant Race Half Marathon
If you’re a baseball fan and you live anywhere near the Bay Area, this is the race for you, as runners finish their 13.1 miles literally by crossing home plate inside San Francisco’s gorgeous AT&T Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team.
Sunday, September 9, 2018 • San Francisco, CA
12) Virgin Sport San Francisco Half Marathon
This race had to be cancelled due to the wildfires raging in Northern California this fall, but the Virgin Sport Festival is set to try its inaugural run in San Francisco again this fall with a half marathon and a Twin Peaks Mile race — a hill climb up the city’s stunning Twin Peaks Boulevard.
October 2018 (tentative) • San Francisco, CA
13) SoFi Golden Gate Half Marathon
Once known as the US Half Marathon, the Golden Gate Half follows a route that starts and finishes next to Aquatic Park and then unfolds across the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, to the Marin Headlands and back.
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 • San Francisco, CA
13.1) The North Face Endurance Challenge Half Marathon
Set to take place in the stunningly gorgeous — and very hilly and challenging — Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the North Face Endurance Challenge features a weekend filled with a full marathon, 50-mile and 50K on Saturday and the half marathon, 10K and 5K on Sunday.
November 2018 • San Francisco, CA
