AT&T Giant Race Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Kara M.
San Francisco, CA

  (09-02-2011)

"This was not my first half, but it was the first time I was running this particular event.

Course: all paved (except for a few hundred yards inside AT&T park). A little crowded out until about mile 3 (especially those toward the back of the pack). Almost all flat (a rarity in SF) except for a little hill into Fort Mason (out and back). Decent street closures.

If I could, I would take away stars for the end of the race. Around mile 11, when us half marathoners are totally in the groove and focused and can see the park in the distance, we hit the turnaround point for the 5K that started 1.5 hours after the half. This means that for those of us running a 8:45+min/mile, we hit a giant (no pun intended) wall of people. People in the 5K were runners, walkers, *entire* families and people with strollers. I'm all of getting these folks involved and making it a community event, but the collision was really unacceptable as we were all sharing the same roadway. So instead of spending the last 2 miles in the zone, I spent it trying to constantly find a path where I could keep a decent pace. Not fun.

The finish line was horrific. First there was a bottleneck into the park and then literally a wall of people at the finish line. I crossed the line and came to a complete standstill one foot in front of the line. It was wall to wall people trying to get off of the field. Terrible crowd control. I'm pretty sure that if the 5K folks weren't finishing at the same time, this wouldn't have been an issue to the extent that it was.

I was running this as a training run for a full marathon later this month, but if I had some real ego on the line regarding my time, I would be furious.

BTW: I crossed the finish line and the gun time was 2:05. When I saw the race results my gun time was 2:08. So I think that the crowd issues at the finish are a real problem.

Crowd: nice community support (bands, schools) at the starting line and up until mile 3. Nice guest appearance by Brian Wilson to give out high 5s at mile 5. Aid station volunteers were nice and it seemed pretty organized. Signage inside AT&T park for family and friends waiting was pretty dismal. Expo was spread out along the concourse so it was a little tough to see everything.

Organization: instructions about the race were clear. I like that they just send the D-ring and bib in the mail. T-shirt was a little disappointing. The medal was nice and heavy.

Overall: A good race to try to improve a time since it's pretty flat, but make sure to start near the front of the pack if your pace allows it. Lots of places for family/friends to cheer you on during the race. Fun scenery since you go by a lot of tourist spots (I'm a local so I usually don't run in these areas).
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

naomi n.
san mateo, CA

  (06-19-2010)

"For a first time event I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was organized. Pre-race communication was great. They had a designated race hotel with a free shuttle to/from the park (too bad I never saw it). The expo was well organized and had some interesting vendors. Race registration included a ticket to the game the night before the race. I\'d recommend offering a game ticket after the race - more relaxed. No wave start, but it wasn\'t as bad as I thought it would be. Plenty of well stocked and manned aid stations with COLD drinks - key on a hot race day. The course was great with 2 hard hills. The only thing I didn\'t like about the course was the last 2 1/2 miles behind the park. Many runners died during this death march.

The main issue I had with this race was that as soon as we crossed the Finish Line we came to a complete stop to stand in line to take a photo at home plate. There was no opportunity to walk around and cool down. I cramped up and had to visit the medical tent (which was in the opposing dugout).

T-shirt was kinda boring and the medal had a blue ribbon (who does that for a Giants event?!).

But overall, fun race - I\'d do it again."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010