What does it cost to enter a San Francisco half marathon?
Entry fees here run from $25 to $43.05, with a typical fee of $30. One race already has a price increase scheduled, so check the registration page sooner rather than later if you have a specific event in mind.
When is the best time of year to find a half marathon in San Francisco?
Fall (September to November) is the busiest stretch, with 9 races. Winter (December to February) is the second busiest with 7, and summer brings 6. Spring is the quietest window, with just 1 race in March. The mild year-round climate means even winter races are genuinely runnable.
Will I get a shirt at a San Francisco half marathon?
22 of the 23 races say they give a shirt. The remaining race has not published giveaway details, so we cannot say either way. None of the 23 have said they give a medal.
Is a San Francisco half marathon a good first half marathon?
The format here helps: most events offer the 5K, 10K, and half marathon on the same day, so you can step up or step back depending on how training goes. There are no published finish-time results for these races, so we cannot tell you what pace the field runs, but the multi-distance structure means you are unlikely to be the only person finding their footing at the distance.
How themed are these races - are they serious competitions or more casual?
The calendar skews strongly toward themed events - coffee, donuts, bagels, chocolate, Halloween, Oktoberfest - most from the same series, all priced at $30 and paired with a shirt. RunThrough San Francisco 5k, 10K & Half Marathon on November 7 is the one race in the lineup that sits outside that mold, and it is also the only one with a different price point.
Are there trail Half Marathon races near San Francisco?
Yes, one race around San Francisco gets you off the pavement: 1 mixes road and trail. Surfaces are not always published, so it is worth checking a specific race before you register.