How hilly is the The San Francisco Marathon?

350 m of cumulative elevation gain across 42.2 km. Net climbing — pace by effort, not by clock, on the major ascents.

What is the typical weather on race day?

12–18 °C with 80 % relative humidity. Heat acclimatization makes a measurable difference if the forecast trends warm.

San Francisco, US · July 2026

The San Francisco Marathon

The San Francisco Marathon pacing strategy with per-km splits from your VDOT, weather-adjusted for the typical 12–18 °C race day in San Francisco.

Distance: 42.20 km
Elevation gain: 350 m
Typical temp: 12–18 °C
Cutoff: 6:30:00

Race data quality

Medium confidence

Last verified: source review pending

Course distance, climate, and broad course features are suitable for pacing previews. Elevation profiles and aid-station details are approximate and should be checked against the official race packet before race day.

Elevation profile

Approximate course model

Paid strategy guardrail

Official race packet remains source of truth

Published race organizer materials
Public course maps and elevation references
Historical climate normals for the race month

Step 1 · Free preview

See the course-adjusted plan first

Enter one recent result. The preview returns course cost, first splits, and fuel target from the deterministic engine and the current course data model.

Recent raceRecent timeGoal timeWeight (kg)

VDOT

49.1

Estimate

3:18:18

Course cost

+4:34

Fuel target

90 g/h

Course pressure15 °C · 80% RH

First 5 km preview

full race locked

km 14:37
km 24:38
km 34:59
km 44:45
km 54:55

km 6-42 locked · full splits, nutrition timeline, danger zones, printable race band

Continue with approximate course data

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Uses an approximate course model; verify final logistics against the official race packet.

Step 2 · Full The San Francisco Marathon strategy

Per-km splits, nutrition timing, race-week checklist.

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Continue with approximate course data →

Course elevation

350 m total gain · 350 m loss · max 62 m, min -20 m.

Signature sections

Golden Gate Bridge · km 7–14
Out-and-back across the bridge with a 60 m climb to the midpoint each way.

Race overview

SF is the hilliest big-city marathon in the US — 350 m of climbing including the Golden Gate Bridge crossing. Cool, foggy July mornings are ideal for marathon physiology, but the climbs at km 8 and km 13 must be paced by effort, not by clock.

How hard is this course?

Reference table — how the The San Francisco Marathon compares to a flat sea-level course for four typical fitness levels. Computed from the route profile, mean course altitude, and typical race-week climate (15 °C / 80 % humidity). Your personal strategy uses your VDOT, per-km splits, nutrition timing, and the typical climate baseline for this static sample; paid strategies use Open-Meteo when a verified race date is inside the forecast window.

Runner	Flat-course finish	The San Francisco Marathon finish	Course cost	Adjusted pace
Beginner (VDOT 35)	4:16:08	4:22:10	+2.4%	6:10/km
Intermediate (VDOT 45)	3:28:17	3:33:12	+2.4%	5:01/km
Trained (VDOT 50)	3:10:41	3:15:11	+2.4%	4:35/km
Competitive (VDOT 60)	2:43:24	2:47:15	+2.4%	3:56/km

Reference nutrition

For a 70 kg runner finishing in 3:15:11 at 15 °C. Adjust to your weight and tolerance — these are ISSN-window targets, not prescriptions.

Carbs / hour: 90 g
Total carbs: 293 g
Fluid / hour: 640 ml
Sodium / hour: 500 mg

FAQ

How hilly is the The San Francisco Marathon?
350 m of cumulative elevation gain across 42.2 km. Net climbing — pace by effort, not by clock, on the major ascents.
What is the typical weather on race day?
12–18 °C with 80 % relative humidity. Heat acclimatization makes a measurable difference if the forecast trends warm.

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Related races

New to the marathon? Start with our marathon pacing strategy guide or run the VDOT calculator.