I'm used to SF races being pricey and to be honest the only reason I was willing to shell out $90 (!!) for a 10K was because this was the … MORE
I’m used to SF races being pricey and to be honest the only reason I was willing to shell out $90 (!!) for a 10K was because this was the only weekend I had to do it and it was the only nearby 10K I could find. But I’d heard good things in the past so I decided to go for it.
The course was only announced 9 days before the race. Instead of the usual out-and-back 10K course, it was just two loops of the 5K course, part of which was on the sidewalk of the Embarcadero and not closed off to other pedestrians. This also meant that on the second lap, faster 10K runners had to thread through dense crowds of 5K walkers. To top it all off, the course was short — only 6 miles rather than 10K. I’m sure there were issues that were out of the organizers’ control regarding the course, but some additional communication about it would have been helpful. Especially the distance.
Signage at both packet pickup and the race itself was poor. There was no bag check unless you paid an extra $35 for the VIP package. (I’m not sure why, as the giant truck they had there had tons of room.) Race volunteers were generally great but it seemed like they were not given all the information they needed to fully support participants, or given inaccurate information (such as telling people they could drop their bags when in fact they could not unless they paid for the VIP upgrade).
It’s frustrating to pay so much money for such a poor experience. Definitely won’t be doing it again.
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Poorly organized, short course, & $$$$
I'm used to SF races being pricey and to be honest the only reason I was willing to shell out $90 (!!) for a 10K was because this was the … MORE
I’m used to SF races being pricey and to be honest the only reason I was willing to shell out $90 (!!) for a 10K was because this was the only weekend I had to do it and it was the only nearby 10K I could find. But I’d heard good things in the past so I decided to go for it.
The course was only announced 9 days before the race. Instead of the usual out-and-back 10K course, it was just two loops of the 5K course, part of which was on the sidewalk of the Embarcadero and not closed off to other pedestrians. This also meant that on the second lap, faster 10K runners had to thread through dense crowds of 5K walkers. To top it all off, the course was short — only 6 miles rather than 10K. I’m sure there were issues that were out of the organizers’ control regarding the course, but some additional communication about it would have been helpful. Especially the distance.
Signage at both packet pickup and the race itself was poor. There was no bag check unless you paid an extra $35 for the VIP package. (I’m not sure why, as the giant truck they had there had tons of room.) Race volunteers were generally great but it seemed like they were not given all the information they needed to fully support participants, or given inaccurate information (such as telling people they could drop their bags when in fact they could not unless they paid for the VIP upgrade).
It’s frustrating to pay so much money for such a poor experience. Definitely won’t be doing it again.
Great race!
This race starts just outside Oracle Park, and continues near the ocean until you reach Crissy Field, where you have a nice view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Then you … MORE
This race starts just outside Oracle Park, and continues near the ocean until you reach Crissy Field, where you have a nice view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Then you head back to Oracle Park, getting a nice view of the Bay Bridge. The race ends inside Oracle Park.
This race advertises itself as the flattest race in San Francisco, and I believe it. I didn’t think that the hills (mile 4 and 9) were bad at all (and I hate hills.)
There were lots of volunteers manning the aid stations (and they had plenty of drinks even for the slower runners).
Destination Race
I have run this thrice. The big draw is ending up in the outfield of a baseball stadium. That was great. I enjoyed it. But it's not the only reason … MORE
I have run this thrice.
The big draw is ending up in the outfield of a baseball stadium. That was great. I enjoyed it. But it’s not the only reason to run.
Personally I’m not into destination races. I am lucky though. I live in San Francisco. So I have been over the Golden Gate Bridge and seen lots of great sights. There is a race every weekend someplace in the Bay Area. That spoils you.
This easily qualifies as a destination race. The swag is the Giants bobblehead. This year, it was the mascot, Lou Seal. That is worth it.
For San Francisco, this race qualifies as flat. There are three gentle rises. You see the Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf, Crissy Field, the bridge, and of course the stadium. There are more than adequate aid stations, one serving a Clif Bars and goo blocks, with the wrapping pre-cut for convenience. The production values are top notch. They don’t advertise it, but there was as much music en route as for a Rock ‘n Roll.
The early start means an early finish. Parking is shockingly easy. I arrived 45 minutes before the gun. I was two blocks from the start line.
End of Challenge
This was the last race of the SF Original Series. You have to pick up your own bib the day before the race so plan ahead. With your bib and … MORE
This was the last race of the SF Original Series. You have to pick up your own bib the day before the race so plan ahead. With your bib and t-shirt for 2018 they gave out a bobble head of one of the SF Giant’s players which was different and fun. Parking is prepay only so plan ahead for this and make sure you know where you’re going. The lots will not accept cash race morning. They do this in order to make parking more smooth. The finish line was inside the stadium and was really well done and fun.
The course was mostly an out and back. There was a section towards the end that was on hard packed dirt. There are some really amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge as well for the first half of the race. Great race and super fun challenge.
Perhaps the best local race in SF
This was the most spontaneous race for me ever with less than 24 hr notice, but here are my thoughts nonetheless: Expo: bib pickup was conveniently located at AT&T Park. … MORE
This was the most spontaneous race for me ever with less than 24 hr notice, but here are my thoughts nonetheless:
Expo: bib pickup was conveniently located at AT&T Park. However the bibs were not pre-assigned, which made them prone to human error. I saw on social media that somebody was given the wrong bib (10K runners got a 5K bib or something along those lines), so beware.
Course: Relatively flat for San Francisco with 234 ft in elevation per Strava but there were some smaller hills (it’s SF after all). Mostly ran on concrete with a short section along the Marina in gravel. The heat from San Francisco’s Indian summer hit around Mile 7 so I slowed down quite a bit after that.
Aid Stations: Water and electrolyte at all stations. Didn’t see any gel or food options offered.
Crowd Support: Okay this is where this race far exceeded the other local races I participated in the bay area. There were volunteers stationed at almost every hill (no matter how tiny) to cheer you on in case you needed the extra “push” to conquer your worst enemy. Thank you volunteers!
Swag: The shirt is very nice, in fact I think it went up a notch compared to prior year’s (saw a few runners wearing last year’s on race day). You also get a bobblehead which is unique compared to other local races, but this event is pretty expensive so you get what you pay for. The medal is mediocre and looks like something that can be recycled into next year’s race (just swap out the band that says 2018 and voila you are done).
Post-race refreshment: Virtually non-existent. Got a bottle of water, a sample of Odwalla smoothie in tiny cups, and that was it. Saw someone with a Dole fruit cup and some pretzel snacks but I had no idea where they got those. I was expecting better refreshments right after the race for the hefty race price tag, but sorry those stadium vendors need to stay in business.
Final Thoughts: Made a 15 second PR on a half (woot?) at this race according to the official record but my watch indicated I ran about 0.2 mi more which meant my time would have been 2-3 min faster (would have been my first sub 2!) had the marker been on point. Anyway I am not super obsessed with distance discrepancy so it is what it is. Really enjoyed this race overall and I liked it better than the race organized by the San Francisco Marathon. You don’t get to run on the bridge at this event but you do get a beautiful panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge at the Marina.
A can't miss Event
I loved this race. It was an easy out and back course along the water that ended in AT&T Park. Great atmosphere and wonderful Expo the two days before at … MORE
I loved this race. It was an easy out and back course along the water that ended in AT&T Park. Great atmosphere and wonderful Expo the two days before at the park.
You get to go on outfield
This race has two big gimmicks. First, you get a bobblehead. It's hosted by the Giants, with other sponsors -- this year, Alaska Airlines. So you get a player bobblehead. … MORE
This race has two big gimmicks.
First, you get a bobblehead. It’s hosted by the Giants, with other sponsors — this year, Alaska Airlines. So you get a player bobblehead. People collect them.
Second, the finish line is inside the stadium, on the outfield, and they let you hang out there. Unless you are major league baseball player, I am not sure you will ever have an opportunity to lounge on the grass, looking up into the bleachers.
The course also is reasonably flat for San Francisco. There are two moderate hills, but really nothing by Bay Area standards. I think total gain is under 250 feet. (Strava reported 234 feet. That seems right.)
Well run. Enthusiastic crowd.
They did have my name wrong, but that could have been user error too. They combined middle initial and last name. So a two minute complication at bib pickup. Not a big deal.
First 5K
My first official 5K. Walked/ran with my daughter, daughter-in-law and a friend. A very crowded race, could have staggered the start times better. Loved hanging out in my favorite ball … MORE
My first official 5K. Walked/ran with my daughter, daughter-in-law and a friend. A very crowded race, could have staggered the start times better. Loved hanging out in my favorite ball park after the race!
The good and bad of ATT Park
First the good. The run around the SF Bay front is always fun. Lots of people watching and outstanding views. And even non-Giants fans will get a kick out of … MORE
First the good. The run around the SF Bay front is always fun. Lots of people watching and outstanding views. And even non-Giants fans will get a kick out of access to the field- I sure did. There are however major problems with a highly restricted venue like a ballpark. The port-a-potties were on the other side of the canal. The finish was in the outfield, which as stated is fun. But bag check was outside the stadium a few blocks away. After a race, one’s core temp drops rapidly, especially in a shaded drafty ball park. I was probably hypothermic! Also, no mylar thermal blankets. Probably not going to do this again.