My Profile
@loungesong
San Francisco, CA Raving since 2022 Active 6 hours, 26 minutes agoAbout Me
My Races
Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.
50 States Map
Half Marathon
Marathon
Ultramarathon
(Marathon or Ultra) + Half
Marathon + Ultra
Other
Future Races
Personal Bests (1)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Half Marathon | Half Marathon | San Francisco, CA | Feb 6, 2022 | 1:52:04 |
Future Races (0)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Paid |
|---|
Past Races (5)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Result | My Raves | My Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate Half Marathon & 5K | Half Marathon | San Francisco, CA | Nov 3, 2024 | 1:58:00 |
|
|
| Bay to Breakers | 12K | San Francisco, CA | May 19, 2024 |
|
|
|
| Napa Valley Marathon and Half | Marathon | Calistoga, CA | Mar 3, 2024 |
|
|
|
| San Francisco Half Marathon | Half Marathon | San Francisco, CA | Feb 5, 2023 | 1:59:00 |
|
|
| San Francisco Half Marathon | Half Marathon | San Francisco, CA | Feb 6, 2022 | 1:52:04 |
|
|
Golden Gate Half Marathon & 5K
Very Scenic Out & Back. Hilly.
Golden Gate Half Marathon & 5K
This was my first time running this race although I am local. It's rare I'm available for a half this time of year. The weather was absolutely spectacular--dead calm over … MORE
This was my first time running this race although I am local. It’s rare I’m available for a half this time of year. The weather was absolutely spectacular–dead calm over the bridge, sunny and cool. This is not normal so I really savored it.
If you are not from the area it’s a beautiful run along the northern edge of SF with an out and back over the bridge. I got dropped off 15 minutes before the stop without issue and made my way into my preferred time corral (which is not controlled). It felt like most people were in the correct corrals. Also I like that they broke up the start in smaller groups (to avoid congestion on the bridge). I did not use the bathroom so can’t comment on the situation.
Water stations were spaced well and staffed appropriately. The finish area was really cool and it brought me into Ghirardelli for the free beer which I hadn’t visited in many years.
This race does not give you much access to space you cannot just run on a normal long run. They close just a little bit of Bay St for the race. You will then run on the divided running/biking paths on each side of the bridge. It was cool running on the bike path on the Southbound side of the bridge. The northbound side of the bridge had a lot of traffic. It was looser Southbound for me. I’m a 4:00 marathoner and normally a 1:50 half guy so I’m usually in the middle of a ton of people.
My biggest complaint was the dirt path on the Marin side. I did not expect to be running on a rutted out unmaintained trail that steep. I saw someone fall as well as some close calls. It’s legitimately steep and almost single track in a few areas. If it had rained recently that trail would have been dangerous. I also got rocks in both shoes which I had to stop to remove which sucked. I know, cry me a river–I just wasn’t expecting this.
My other complaint was common to other races the last few years: STOP USING SPORTS BASEMENT PRESIDIO for the expo. I LOVE Sports Basement. But the parking/public transportation situation is a nightmare with the parking lots torn up and tunnel top park in full swing. I knew this was going to be a problem so I got there as they opened and it still was a hassle as everyone had to talk to an attendant guarding the parking lot. I can’t image the mess it was in the afternoon. Use Sonestown which has TONS of parking.
My final distance was 13.17 which was great. A lot of people were cutting corners and cones. I did not and this was very efficient for me. Timing was spot on. The yellow shirt was hideous and ran huge but I’ll use it as a warm up for another race.
I’ll probably run this one again next year if I don’t get into a fall marathon.
Bay to Breakers
Not What it Used to Be but Still Great!
Bay to Breakers
I've run the race most years for the past 30. This year the expo (if you can even call it that) was at Sports Basement--a store I love but is … MORE
I’ve run the race most years for the past 30. This year the expo (if you can even call it that) was at Sports Basement–a store I love but is really a pain to get to to avoid the $30 bib mailing fee. The T-Shirt is extremely low quality as were even the bibs.
The race itself is better than ever if you want to get a real time. Corral B where I started was easy to get to and was not overly packed for the first mile like it can be. It’s a great course with spectators most of the way. Unfortunately there were no live bands on the course at all.
Napa Valley Marathon and Half
Beautiful run in Napa Valley
Napa Valley Marathon and Half
This is a very well organized race. You run from Calistoga to downtown Napa on the Silverado Trail. Of course it's beautiful. The rain was lighter than expected and was … MORE
This is a very well organized race. You run from Calistoga to downtown Napa on the Silverado Trail. Of course it’s beautiful. The rain was lighter than expected and was not a factor this Sunday. Apparently rain in the forecast is an annual problem for this race.
It was smaller than I thought which could be a plus. You will have no problem getting to the front of the pack if needed. The expo, transportation, course, and finish area were easy to navigate and ran smoothly.
Although a net downhill there are some slight grades. There are only a few 90 degree turns on the entire course which means I only over ran but about 0.2 miles.
The only reason I gave it a 4 for scenery was because it is QUIET. It is a difficult race to spectate which resulted in only 3 or 4 areas where there were spectators cheering you on and it was maybe up to 50 people. Outside of those places it was dead silent. This may be a plus for you.
The water stops were placed well except for the 1st one which randomly had electrolytes on the opposite side of the street from the water on the outside of a bend in the road. Strange.
The small expo is easy to visit. From a logistical standpoint this is a great marathon.
The only negative
San Francisco Half Marathon
Logistically Easy, Fast Race
San Francisco Half Marathon
I'm usually not officially trained for this race--but it's close to where I live and fun after the undoing of my fall marathon through the holidays. The timing is great … MORE
I’m usually not officially trained for this race–but it’s close to where I live and fun after the undoing of my fall marathon through the holidays. The timing is great after I get more serious about training Jan 1.
Like everyone says, it is a massive downhill course with the only real uphill the last 1/4 mile. Can be windy on the Great Highway (especially northbound) but this ear the wind was blowing at 90 degrees so wasn’t too much of a factor. They also went back to the original course in the park which cuts off the distance on the Great Highway by about .5 mile which is great.
Not many spectators except for Lincoln/Great Highway (families near the finish). Awesome T-Shirt this year (soft cotton long sleeve). Usually has a nice medal, too.
Really need to stay on your inside corners–I ran this one with almost .25 extra distance!
San Francisco Half Marathon
Golden Gate Park & Beach
San Francisco Half Marathon
This is a fast course that is feels like two equal halves. The first half is a net downhill through Golden Gate Park. The second half is completely flat along … MORE
This is a fast course that is feels like two equal halves. The first half is a net downhill through Golden Gate Park. The second half is completely flat along the Pacific Ocean on the Great Highway. Can we windy, but was flat calm in 2022. Parking is not overly difficult as this race is relatively small so you can park in the neighborhood if you are willing to walk afterwards. It is easy to over run in the first half as there are a lot of long sweeping turns that you can streamline. Sometimes I was running almost .1 miles too far by not staying to the inside. They gave out some kind of disgusting electrolyte water instead of play water at the finish. Gross!