Posted: April 2, 2005

Athletics: San Francisco Marathon Adds Golden Gate Bridge To Scenic Course

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - (April 1, 2005) - Organizers of the San Francisco Marathon presented by Runner's World announced today that the 2005 race course will include a stunning out-and-back trip over San Francisco's most distinguishing landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge. The 26.2-mile race route has not included the bridge since 1998. Now, San Francisco's marathon runners will cross the renowned Golden Gate, the entrance to San Francisco Bay, while retaining the popular citywide course that has drawn rave reviews from participants. The San Francisco Marathon presented by Runner's World will stage its 28th annual edition on Sunday, July 31, 2005.

"Naturally, we're thrilled that we can offer our runners the experience of running over the breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge," said event producer Peter Nantell of West End Management. "The San Francisco Marathon course is now truly complete. Without the bridge, the course was like a stunning diamond in the rough without its setting. Now, it's a crafted gemstone."

Nantell initially redesigned the race course in 2002 with the purpose of showcasing one of the world's most scenic and visited cities. The start/finish line was moved from Golden Park to a more convenient downtown location at Justin Herman Plaza along San Francisco's Embarcadero, the historic shipping port. This year, marathon runners will enjoy this start and finish in the colorful heart of the city while also having an opportunity to race over the Golden Gate Bridge. Views from the famous span, built 1933-1937, include panoramas of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island, San Francisco's skyline, and the hills of Marin County.

After touring the Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf, the Marina Green and Crissy Field, runners step onto the bridge at the 5-1/4 mile point of the USA Track & Field certified loop course. They proceed north over the approximately 1-3/4 mile span towards Marin County. Upon exiting the bridge on the north end, they immediately turn around and re-cross the bridge back into San Francisco. The marathon course will occupy three bridge lanes closed expressly for the race.

Runners will take in the Pacific Ocean coastline at Baker Beach, picturesque Golden Gate Park, the Haight-Ashbury District made famous by 1960s flower children, and run past baseball's SBC Park (home of the Giants) before finishing in front of the Ferry Building at the city's thriving world trade port.

To ensure adequate running room over the bridge, marathoners will start the race in waves, spaced periodically. The first wave, or top-seeded section, will start at 5:30 a.m. The last wave will depart at 6:00 a.m. There is an early start at 5:00 a.m. only for 6-hour-plus marathon runners.

Last year, over 8,400 runners and walkers registered for the featured 26.2-mile marathon, accompanying two half marathons, and 5K run. According to Nantell, year-to-date entries for the event have doubled. Anticipation of the Golden Gate Bridge announcement, the addition of Runner's World as presenting sponsor, and the attraction of the race's patented mid-summer cool conditions, have all contributed to the increase.

"When we moved the start and finish line downtown that's when the race really began to have a heart," said Race Director Miranda Lindl. "It allowed us to include all parts of the city, and the race really started to grow. With the bridge addition, we expect dramatic further growth."

Although the event is back to the participant numbers it enjoyed in the early 1980s, the top priority for the organizers of the San Francisco Marathon is a quality experience for all runners. For this reason, organizers have not ruled out a cap on the number of entrants in the future. Runners, however, can obtain a guaranteed yearly entry into the marathon or half marathon races, plus a commemorative tech finisher's shirt and a micro fiber runner's cap, by obtaining Charter Membership. This opportunity is available to a limited number of participants and will sell out.

Complete information about the San Francisco Marathon presented by Runner's World, including the new course map and description, registration details and online registration for all events, is available online at www.runsfm.com. Or, call the race hotline at (415) 284-9653, Email: sfmarathon@westendmanagement.com.