Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Patricia L.
San Francisco, CA

  (06-28-2011)

"This is a great course for first timers because of the spectator friendly and relatively flat course.
This was my first road half marathon and I couldn't ask for a better experience in terms of the organization and preparation put into the event.

The only part of the course that proved painful for me was the stretch along the great hwy. The route makes you go out and loops you back around so when you're running out, you see the faster runners already looping back. It feels like you're almost at the turnaround point forever but it's really hard to gauge because of the long stretch of road and deception of how close the traffic lights seem to be.

The end of the course is also a hill so you can't do a victory sprint to the finish unless you either didn't give it your all during the rest of the race, or you're just a freak of nature - I was neither and jogged to the finish.
Having said that, spectators have lots of room along the final part of the route so there was a lot of cheering which is always appreciated!

Comic relief comes from some spectators who hand out cinnamon buns, bacon and beer around mile 10 - I considered taking a bun and saving it for the end.

Overall, the event is really well put together - plenty of water stops and volunteers to handle the volume of runners."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Tanya R.
San Jose, CA

  (03-07-2011)

"Was very disappointed in the organization of this race. Because they had a 5K running the same course at the same time, they ran out of water cups at several of the stations. At the finish, there was no cordoned off area for runners so obtaining post-race water and packet was very difficult. (They didn't have an expo previous to the race so you had to get your race bag afterward, and the volunteers didn't seem to know where you could go to get it.) The first part of the course is beautiful but the out and back on the Great Highway got boring very quickly. This year was unseasonably warm, and there were several medical emergencies with runners laying on the side of the course as I passed by. Not all of those runners were getting care, from what I could tell. (!) Standard t-shirt was OK but you had to pay extra for a technical shirt. And there was no medal (!) - what's up with that?? Finally, we tried to find the promised shuttle back to the start (so that we could get to the nearby parking lot) but the volunteers must have misdirected us, because we never saw it and ended up walking for a long time back to the start area. Really disappointed with this event and would NEVER do it again."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

Caren W.
San Francisco, CA

  (02-22-2011)

"So this is my second Kaiser Half and I loved it just as much this year as last year. And, I will do it again. Great race: gorgeous weather, flat run, stunning ocean views, great crowd, nice runners, low entry fee, good communication. Last year was a half marathon PR for me...and this year was another!

However, as many have mentioned, it was truly unfortunate that a runner passed away at the finish without a fair chance to survive. Medical professionals and equipment were inadequate...and it appears the race organizers may have tried to cover up for this miss with false information. Who knows what really happened. All I know is that my friend and fellow tri club member was one of the people that provided CPR to the runner...and she was there to witness the lack of actual race support. That's the only reason I am not giving it more stars.

I believe that if Kaiser uses a new race organizer next year, it will continue to be a great event!"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2011

Nash R.
San Francisco, CA

  (02-18-2011)

"Really good course for SF. Most of the first 5 miles is slightly downhill in Golden Gate park. Then the final 6 miles stretch is an out and back along Ocean Beach which is nice and flat, but without shade of any kind. This year it was sunny and warm and the heat was a little overwhelming.

Great crowds cheering you on, especially the last few miles. Only downfall this year was someone dying of a at the finish line, apparently it took over 30 minutes to get a ambulance to him. YIKES! "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2011

Brett M.
San Francisco, CA

  (02-06-2011)

"This was my second time running this race and they made improvements from last year I appreciated such as more aid stations. They always have a great expo and I even hit up the Sprint vendors to use their internet and phones to call my girlfriend after the race because we couldn't find eachother, so perfect sponsor!

I did read later about a runner who collapsed and passed away at the finish. Thinking back, there wasn't any ambulances around at the finish and they only had a medical tent at the expo a few hundred yards away. You always want to feel like the race will take care of you in any catastrophe and especially one sponsored by a hospital so this is a major black mark on the organizers. Its a shame because it was an amazing day out."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2011

Irish S.
Monterey,, CA

  (02-06-2011)

"This was the first time I have ever ran this particular course. I did the 5K and waited for friends to finish the 1/2. I watched a very young man fall to his death. This was the first time I have ever been to a race that did not have first aid anywhere on either course nor did it have a medical team or ambulance anywhere near the end of the race. They didn't even have someone in charge at the finish line who took control. For 30 minutes medical professionals who had run the race themselves gave cpr before an ambulance showed just to pronounce him dead. I have never been so discouraged by a group of medical professionals in charge of an event. They had 100's of reps down in the racers village who could have easily ran up to assist but no one came. I would never run this course again or recommend it. Very sad day for Kaiser professionals and runners everywhere. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

Lauren S.
San Francisco, CA

  (03-18-2010)

"Race start not well organized, sweat check very far from start! Course is very flat, roads could use re-paving, I saw many people trip. Longest part ever is the out and back on Great Highway- aid station at very end, but seemingly a never ending highway. Lots of places for spectators, even a beer aid station and bacon station along the route! Fave spectator was Lego Man- I love runners too!

After race, sweat check was very organized and efficfient! Many thanks to the volunteers! Schwag bag- eh, okay, but long sleeve tee is nice. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Selena G.
San Francisco, CA

  (03-15-2010)

"This was my first half-marathon and the course was perfect for my first half - flat and downhill! We lucked out with amazing weather this year and I had a great time seeing so many people I know out there running. AND, for only 40 dollars I think this race was well worth it!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Margaret B.
Half Moon Bay, CA

  (03-13-2010)

"Well organized. Free shuttles to take you from the beach parking lot (get there early!) to the starting area. Friendly volunteers. Low stress starting area. Ample potties. Easy sweats check. Nice course that takes you through the park, down to the beach, along the Great Highway, to the zoo and back into the park. Watch out for headwinds along the beach and the uphill slog to the finish line. Not a lot of spectators, but the ones who showed up were spirited. Special thanks to the folks at the bacon station and the beer shot table."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2010

Clair M.
San Francisco, CA

  (03-10-2010)

"I've done the 5K before, but this was my first half marathon, and it was an excellent experience! The course is fantastic - the Park is beautiful and the Ocean views are spectacular, but then I live in San Francisco, so maybe I'm a little biased. The sun was shining this year, which really made for an ideal race. When the weather's not so nice, this race can be miserably cold and windy. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Brett M.
San Francisco, CA

  (02-08-2010)

"This is the first pure half marathon I've ever done. I mostly do triathlons, so there are some probable misconceptions I had coming in.

I'm used to water stops nearly every mile, they space them out every few on this course. They had G2 on the course as well, which threw me since I wanted pure sugar water or Coke to get me through the last few miles faster.

The course is great. A generally flat or downhill course, you start touring Golden Gate Park and a little bit of the city and head to Ocean Beach where you have a final 5 mile out and back section that felt great on the way out (noticed a tail wind mid-way) and a little brutal on the way back in. Don't be bashful of drafting. Its usually a little crosswind as well, so you can camp right off someone's shoulder and be out of it.

Great day overall for this one, just beware that the final quarter mile is uphill just put the screws to you at the end. You can't complain after having a four mile downhill through the park.

This is a point to point race, so logistics is a little difficult. There are public transportation options nearby, but they get swamped."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Frank T.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA

  (01-05-2010)

"I stood in (or ran in) for an injured friend, and really enjoyed this race. The course, while fast and beautiful, isn't anything spectacular since you could run it anytime you wanted (that's the beauty of Golden Gate Park). A significant portion doubles back along the Great American Highway, which is nice if you want to check out all the people you passed or have yet to pass. Lots of volunteer support. For some reason this race got stellar weather (sunny in high 60s in 2009) one year, so hope for a repeat!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Kelly W.
San Francisco, CA

  (08-30-2009)

"I hadn't done a 1/2 marathon in awhile, and I suffered a training injury while preparing for this one, but I'm so glad I was able to run it (even though my time wasn't what I had hoped it would be). I agree that the first half of the course is wonderful. Second half along the coast seems pretty interminable, and then after the turnaround, you realize how interminable it really is. But I'd definitely consider doing it again."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Lynn A.
Morgan Hill, CA

  (08-13-2009)

"There are some great half marathon events in the Bay Area, but this one has quickly become one of my favorites. I ran this race last year for the first time without paying much attention to the course or my time. I didn't even realize the elevation was a net down--not at all what you would expect for a race in hilly San Francisco. I nearly ran a PR without even trying. And it was cold, wet and windy last year. I said I would try and run a PR the next year, and that's exactly what I did today.

This RRCA Western Region Half Marathon Championship certified 13.1 mile course is ranked as one of the most scenic in the country by Runner's World. It starts on John F. Kennedy Drive at Stow Lake Drive in Golden Gate Park and finishes on Martin Luther King Drive near the Great Highway. The half marathon and 5K start at the same time, but there's no log jam at the start since the road is plenty wide. The race announcer said there were over 10,000 runners today, but there were less than 6,000 who finished the half marathon. Still, that's a lot of people coming out on SuperBowl Sunday to run a foot race. For many like me, it helps justify eating fistfulls of football munchies later in the day.

I like uncovering a bit of the local history around the races and places. Here's a fairly useless piece of trivia. The name Kaiser Permanente comes from Henry Kaiser, a successful international contractor based in Oakland, who in 1938, began planning construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. The name Permanente was picked by Henry's first wife, Bess, because of her love of Permanente Creek that flows year round on the San Francisco peninsula.

The more interesting bit has to do with the old Dutch Windmill near the finish line in Golden Gate Park. I didn't even know it existed until I saw it at this race last year. Last year's cool finisher's medal incorporated the windmill in its design. The Dutch Windmill was completed in 1902 when the San Francisco coast was lined with sand dunes. Wells were drilled along the coast as early as 1873, identifying enough of a fresh water source to irrigate the land. The windmill was built as an alternative water supply for what later became Golden Gate Park.

I also like to know where my entry fee goes. A portion of each entry fee for this race benefits three community organizations:

The Harbor Light Center for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
Koret Family House

Now on to the race. I felt confident after running a 10-mile PR last weekend and setting a PR at the National Postal One Hour Swim just three days ago. But I also knew I would need a really superb effort to run a PR at this distance. It was 45 degrees and sunny at the start with little wind today--absolutely perfect racing conditions. I like the disposable chip timer that came in the mail with my race bib. No checking in required on race day and no chip removal at the finish. I wore a 1:37 pace band (7:24 pace), hoping to take over a minute off my previous PR.

I took the first mile at 7:22 pace, but knew if I was feeling good I should try to take the first half a bit faster than planned, since the first half is mostly downhill. I clicked off the next several miles under my planned pace and was feeling good, so I just kept at it. The more time I could cut in the first half, the more of a buffer I would have to negotiate the second half, which is entirely flat.

At the halfway point, I was 1:50 under my goal pace and feeling solid. I wasn't expecting to be that far ahead of my plan, but now that I had six miles in the bank, I was determined to keep things on track. Once I was out on the Great Highway I knew how easy it is to slow down on the flats, so I tried to stay at my planned 7:24 pace or better. By mile 9, I knew my PR was in the bag as long as I didn't blow up. Then I passed a guy who seemed to have collapsed on the course. He looked about my age and in good shape. He had several people helping him, but I reminded myself that could be me if I didn't keep my eye on the ball. With 2 - 3 miles to go and my PR well in hand (or foot) I just enjoyed the moment. A PR at the half marathon and marathon distance is a fine accomplishment. I finished in 1:36:21 (7:21 pace), taking exactly two minutes off my old PR.

The big disappointment this year was the surprise of crossing the finish line and not receiving a finisher's medal. Last year, they had quite a fine looking medal awarded as you crossed the finish line. It's the first half marathon I have run that ended with no hardware. I also know many runners complain about the parking for this event, largely because it is a point to point race. There really is no good solution. Some people try to park near the start while others try to park somewhere in the middle. I chose to park near the finish and take the bus shuttles to the start line, but you need to get up at the butt crack of dawn like I did to get there early enough for a decent parking spot. I've come to appreciate the many races in San Francisco where good parking is as hard to find as a good Republican.
"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Ed C.
San Francisco, CA

  (07-29-2009)

"I actually decided to run this race literally two weeks before it was going to happen (note: I would not recommend that approach to novice runners!). I was excited about the prospects of doing a run that would take me through the Golden Gate Bridge and up and down the Pacific Coast Highway. But unfortunatley, the weather that day was cold and rainy. Not intimidated by the weather conditions, I stuck to the race (because up to that point I could not get a refund!) and ran it. While race was well organized and had adequate water stations, the cold and windy weather made it a difficult race. At one point I had to run backwards because the headwinds were so strong. But despite that, I finished with my best half marathon time which made it worth enduring the difficult weather conditions that day. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Michaela B.
Petaluma, CA

  (07-05-2009)

"My first race ever: Great atmosphere, good course. Not a lot of hills. Weather can vary, though -- temperature got really hot in the last few miles, when the race spilled out onto the Great Highway. (Great Highway portion is very flat -- can be a little boring.) Finish is uphill."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

A H.
san Francisco, CA

  (06-21-2009)

"This was my first time but I hear weather is unpredictable. This year it was sunny and great. I heard last year was raining all day. The course is good until you hit the ocean. It was a bit packed and I had to weave through people. I had to watch out from stepping on other people. But overall, it was fun. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Jeremiah S.
San Francisco, CA

  (04-23-2009)

"A very fast course, highly dependent on the weather. This year's version happened to be perfect, mid-60s and party cloudy, with very little wind. I ran the race coming off an injury, and didn't get to run more than 10 miles before doing the race. That said, the first half of the route is great through Golden Gate Park, but the 2nd half on Hwy 1 totally stinks. It's farther than you think, and you get to see all the people ahead of you, not to mention the huge balloons for miles 6-12 way ahead in the distance. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009