Date: 4/7/2019

Location: San Francisco, CA

Start Time: 6:15am

Avg Temps (f): 63/49

Time Limit: 4 hours, 45 minutes

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

Keep in mind, the course changed as of 2018, with taking runners over/back the Golden Gate Bridge and having less elevation gain than previous years
Some steep, hilly sections can be challenging, so train for hills!
Some non-technical trail sections (when you switch to the other side of the GG Bridge and a long stretch towards Fort Mason).
There is a hill about 1 km to the finish but the last 100 meters is a steep downhill with the finish line just around the corner.
Could be chilly at the start, especially with such an early start tie, but if the sun comes out, it warms up quickly once you’re in more exposed sections of the course
Parking can be hard near the start/finish, so easier to use rideshares or public transportation. Also helpful to have a hotel near the start/finish
If you’re looking for great bands and course entertainment along the way, this probably isn’t the best race, as it’s known more for the scenery of running on the Golden Gate Bridge and the hills. Not a PR course!
Be prepared for the Golden Gate Bridge to feel like long stretches both ways, and slightly uphill

Course

Type: Mainly out and back with start/finish at different locations

Start/Finish Info: Start at The Embarcadero at PIER 39, Finish at Beach St. next to Ghirardelli Square

Hills: Fair amount of elevation change between miles 3.4 and 11.2 with gains/losses of ~100-250 feet

Course Map/Elevation

Aid stations

Locations of water stations: About every 1.5 miles

Locations of electrolyte stations: Gatorade offered at every other aid station, Science in Sport gels available once along the course around mile 6.5

Spectator access

Access Locations: Start/finish likely the best locations since it’s mainly an out and back and runners go over the Golden Gate bridge. Best locations are in the Marina district before they go over the bridge.

Race reports

https://www.bibrave.com/races/rock-n-roll-san-francisco-reviews#.XFstP1xKg2w

https://raceraves.com/races/rock-n-roll-san-francisco-half-marathon/

https://transitionsfromwar.com/13-1-sf-rock-n-roll-review/

http://www.runpointone.com/race-recap-review-san-francisco-rock-n-roll-half-marathon/

Strava links

https://www.strava.com/activities/1497595124

Race Website

https://www.runrocknroll.com/events/san%20francisco

Date

11/17/18

Avg Temps f.

63/50

Gain/Loss in ft

50k: 6,736/~6736

50m: 10,666/~10,666

Furthest Aid

Both: 6 miles

Highest Elev.

50k: 1,359ft

50m: 1,591ft

Start

50k: 7:00am

50m: 5:00am

Surface

Trail/Road

Time Limit

50k:10 hours

50m: 14 hours

Sunrise/set

6:52/4:57

Longest Climb

50k: 1000ft/2 miles50m: 1500ft/5 miles

Summary: Starting in Sausalito near the Marin Headlands and ending in Crissy Field in San Francisco, runners will run several ascents and descents, much of which offers beautiful views of San Francisco and Marin, including the Golden Gate Bridge. Once runners leave the Marin Headlands, they run over the Golden Gate Bridge itself before the final push to finish at Crissy Field. This was a new course in 2017 for both distances, so this will be the second year running this course.

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

Start and Finish are in a different location. Make sure you know the shuttle information
For the 50k, total distance is 32.4, so you have your longest stretch between aid stations after the last aid station at 26.4
Since there are several races of varying distances and courses going on over the weekend, be sure you know the ribbon course marking color that corresponds to your race
If it’s rainy, sections of the trail are very exposed and can make for some wet, windswept miles
With the 50 miler starting earlier, if the trail is wet or muddy, it can be quite sloppy by the time 50k runners are going through
Again, if it’s muddy, the descents can feel all the more steep because they are slicker and have less traction
Be prepared for any kind of weather, especially if you’re flying to the race, as it’s been drastically each past year of racing, and a lot of the course is exposed
With so many climbs and descents, one after the other, pacing is a must, as the climbs will seem harder and harder, and be sure not to burn out on the initial descents and flats
For the 50m, headlamps are required at the start and then 1 hour after sunrise
Course can get a bit crowded by the second half of the day with 50 milers, 50k runners, and marathoners all out on the course
Train with technical downhill trails
50m: *Very* steep stairs coming out of the Stinson Beach AS, on the Dipsea Trail. Prepare to power-hike.
50m: One deep creek crossing at about mile 37 – no avoiding getting your shoes wet!
50m: Several branches/trees to go over or under especially on the long downhill to the Stinson Beach AS (from Cardiac AS) and on the technical section between Cardiac and Old Inn.
The tourist sidewalk was open to the public over the Golden Gate Bridge, so you really need to pay attention to the wandering groups of walkers. After the bridge, there a few more flights of downhill stairs to get to Crissy Field.

Elevation

Total gain/loss:

50k: 6,736/~6,736

50m: 10,666/~10,666

Total climbs:

50k: 6 major climbs of 500-1000ft over the course of 1-2 miles each (very few flat sections)

50m: 9 major climbs of ~800-1500ft over the course of ~2 miles each

Longest climb:

50k: 1000ft/2 miles

50m: 1500ft/5 miles

Map & Elevation in 50k Course Guide

Map & Elevation in 50m Course Guide

Aid stations

Total aid stations:

50k: 7

50m: 11

Furthest distance apart: 6 miles (both races)

Locations:

50k: 3.5, 6.5, 11.8, 17.7, 20.5, 23.5, 26.4 (Bold indicates crew accessible)

50m: 4.5, 9.5, 13.3, 17.8, 23.1, 27.4, 30.1, 36, 38.8, 41.8, 44.7

What’s available: Typical aid station fare, including items like Chips, Pretzels, Saltines, Oranges & Bananas, Skittles, M&Ms, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Potatoes & Salt, Vegetable Broth, Energy Gels, Electrolyte Hydration, Pepsi & Mountain Dew, and Water. No gels.