Lead up to the race- Registration was available online up until the race sold out. The race used IMAthlete for their software provider. Pretty user friendly. The race offered race day packet pickup or bib mailing for an extra cost. Both were very nice options if you were traveling. Communications emails were sent on a weekly basis increasing in frequency as the race grew closer. The emails covered the expo, start line/ time and finish line party. All of them were very informative and filled with helpful information.

Expo/ packet pickup- Packet pickup was located at the corner of Scott St and Marina Green Dr. Bib pick up was organized by bib number. The shirt tables were set up right next to the bib tables. There was a booth selling race merchandise and a booth from a local running store. There were a few other booths under the large tent but not many. Outside was a coffee truck and a Bark Thins truck. There were chairs, tables and games set up in the grass for runners and friends.

Race- The race started by the Municipal Pier and had tables set up for late pick up and bag drop. There were porta a potties available for runners but the lines were enormous, a few more would have helped. The race was scheduled to start at 7 and it started right on time after a few announcements and the National Anthem. There were pacers available but the signs were a little hard to read.

The course is amazing. It takes you through the Marina and the Presidio before looping up and around to the Golden Gate Bridge. Runners then run out the Eastern walkway before looping around Vista Point then down under the bridge on a trail and back up the other side. Runners return along the Western side of the bridge, looping off and under it once across. The route then takes you downhill and out to Fort Point before turning around to head back along a dirt track on the shoreline towards the finish at Marina Green. Notable- this course is not flat- my watch showed an elevation gain of 1200'. That said, the first 3 miles and last 2 are mostly flat, the hills are all in the middle.

Once crossing the finish line, you were handed a giant medal. Seriously, it's a beast and awesome. Here's where things get a little off- I hit the banana table only to be told there were no bananas. A volunteer handed me a Kind bar and another chased me down to give me a logo water bottle. Which was great but when I went to fill it up at the water stations they were out of water. I was a little disappointed.

My thoughts-
The course was amazing, to me it was all the things I wanted to see in San Francisco. I wish there had been less fog but race management has no control over that. :) The medal is amazing and I liked the touch of the reusable bottle. I like hills and dirt track so all of those things made me happy. I would imagine that on a clear day, the views would be amazing. Even with the fog, I have never seen so many people taking mid race selfies.

There were plenty of water stations but they seemed to be spaced out oddly. There was a long stretch from 5-8 with no water. 2 tables had troubles keeping up with the demand for water as well. It could benefit from a wave start as well. The bridge was amazing to run but bottle necked easily. It was hard to pass and numerous people were taking pictures too. A thinner crowd would have made for a smooth few miles. The only other downside it that parking in SF can be very pricey. Some information on places to park or a maybe a garage that had rates for runners would be great.

That said, I loved this race. The course was amazing. It was extremely organized. The medal was awesome. If you measure a race by repeat runners, this race had plenty. There were runners wearing race shirts from 2013 to 2015. I can understand why, it is a race I would love to run again.