San Francisco Marathon
San Francisco, United States of America · Sunday 26 July 2026
The San Francisco Marathon is an annual long-distance running event held in San Francisco, California, typically starting from Mission Street & The Embarcadero and featuring a 26.2-mile course with a 6-hour time limit. Runners begin early in the morning, around 5:15 a.m., and traverse a route certified by USATF that passes through several of the city's most notable neighborhoods and landmarks.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
4:12:14
Time difference: +12.2 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain369m
Elevation High87m
Elevation Low1m
Weather Forecast
High17°C
Low14°C
Chance of Rain0%
How hard is San Francisco Marathon?
Difficultharder than 71% of marathons
Flattest / easiestHardest
On our difficulty model, San Francisco Marathon plays about 13 minutes slower than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #337 hardest of 1150 marathons we analyse, and #177 of 575 in United States of America. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
What will you run at San Francisco Marathon?
Estimated finish times on this course versus the same effort on an average road marathon, based on its elevation, surface, and expected race-day temperature.
| Average-course time | On San Francisco Marathon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 3:04:44 | +04:44 |
| 3:30:00 | 3:38:17 | +08:17 |
| 4:00:00 | 4:12:14 | +12:14 |
| 4:30:00 | 4:46:32 | +16:32 |
| 5:00:00 | 5:21:10 | +21:10 |
| 5:30:00 | 5:56:06 | +26:06 |
| 6:00:00 | 6:31:20 | +31:20 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
San Francisco Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
San Francisco Marathon is a full marathon held in San Francisco, United States of America. It is scheduled for Sunday 26 July 2026. The course is run on road surface with 369m of total climbing, with its high point near 87m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official San Francisco Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
This is a hilly course with 369m of total climbing, rising to around 87m above sea level. It pays to train on hills and to pace the climbs conservatively.
Expected Race Day Weather
Based on historical weather data for July, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 14°C and 17°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance on race day. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.
Surface Type: Road
San Francisco Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for racing. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for a personal best.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare San Francisco Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Marathons of similar difficulty
If San Francisco Marathon fits your goal, these courses play out about the same on our difficulty model.
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