On your mark, get set: the 2026 San Francisco Marathon is returning to the city later this month.

And if you are a runner who wants to take on the challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. According to organizers, the full marathon and the 1st half marathon are both totally sold out as of the time of publication, but luckily, you still have a few options for taking part in other races.

The SF Marathon tends to take over major portions of the city to create space for the runners and their fans — meaning that the weekend of July 25-26 will be tricky for both drivers and pedestrians to move around the city, with the multiple road closures and reroutes.

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Keep reading for the 2026 SF Marathon route, which streets will be closed, where to find public transit changes and how to watch from the sidelines if you’re a spectator.

We’ll also give an overview of all the weekend’s events and races themselves if you’re feeling spontaneously athletic (or want to meet people) and decide to sign up for a race at short notice.

And important to flag — several of these races now allow dogs.

Jump straight to:

Can I still sign up for the marathon?
Where can I cheer on my friends in the SF Marathon (or just spectate)?
What routes within San Francisco will be closed to cars and public transit?

What is the SF Marathon route, and when are the races?

The 26.2-mile main event — the full SF Marathon — is on Sunday, July 26. The full marathon starts at 5:15 a.m. on Embarcadero Street at Market Street and finishes on Embarcadero Street at Howard Street.

You can check out a map of the entire course on SF Marathon’s Strava account, which also includes elevation levels and first aid/water stops.

An image of several people's legs photographed in a running motion. — Be aware of street closures and changes to Muni this weekend because of the SF Marathon. (Elena Popova/Getty Images)

Is it really too late to sign up for the full marathon and 1st half marathon?

Yes, the full marathon — and the popular 1st half marathon over the Golden Gate Bridge — are both sold out.

According to officials, the spots went out “faster than ever” this year. But you can still join the waitlist and hope for the best.

“Spots do open up,” the website reads. “Plans change, runners defer, and entries become available again. When they do, the right wait list is the best way to secure yours.”

What are my other options for races around the SF Marathon that weekend?

Your other options for races during the SF Marathon weekend that are still accepting sign-ups include:

The City Half Marathon (Sunday)

This is the race where you get to run through San Francisco’s neighborhoods. It’s 13.1 miles with a 3.5-hour time limit and starts at 8:30 a.m. from MLK Jr. Drive at Golden Gate Park to Embarcadero at Howard.

Race fee:$303.74

The Alexi Pappas SFM 10K (Sunday)

This race is named after the Bay Area’s own Olympian Pappas and is a flat 6.2 miles that starts at 7 a.m. from The Embarcadero at Market Street to the Embarcadero near Washington Street. Dogs are now welcome for this race.

Race fee: $164.04

And if you are a runner who wants to take on the SF Marathon challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. (RichVintage/Getty Images)

5K race (Saturday option)

This 5k allows your dog to run with you along the Embarcadero waterfront. Starting at 8 a.m, this is a 3.1-mile course with an hour limit.

Race fee: $120.04

5K race (Sunday option)

Dogs are also allowed at this Embarcadero waterfront race, but the race isn’t a loop like the Saturday option, instead starting at The Embarcadero at Market St. and ending at Embarcadero at Washington Street. This 3.1-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and has an hour limit.

Race fee: $118.94

Looking for something more family-friendly and chill? There is Sebastian’s 1K Mad Dash on Saturday, which is a little under a mile. It starts at 9 a.m., starting and finishing at Embarcadero and Washington. The race fee is $28.75.

If you can’t make it to San Francisco, you can join the race virtually by registering on the SF Marathon’s app. It’s $110.15 to join, and you’ll need to download the SF Marathon tracking app to follow your progress.

Which streets will be closed to cars and public transit for the SF Marathon?

The SF Marathon website breaks down which city streets will be closed for races at what time, along with some recommended detours.

There will be closures along The Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf and in the Marina District. However, rest assured that vehicle traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is on the route, will remain open in both directions throughout the marathon.

A map of traffic advisories during the 2026 San Francisco Marathon. (Courtesy of the San Francisco Marathon)

A lot of SF Muni lines will also be rerouted due to marathon weekend events.

SFMTA has not yet updated its guidance for this year, but you can peek at the 2025 list of route alterations, changes and closures to get a sense of what’s to come.

Where can I cheer the SF Marathon runners on?

Are you a good friend cheering on a runner? Make sure you know which race they are running in, and then look at the above section to check out the times and routes.

You can also track a runner’s progress using the SF Marathon app using a bib number.

Where can I find my pictures and results after the race?

Participants will have their pictures emailed to them a few days after the event — or on the race results and photos page on the SF Marathon website.

[aside postID=news_12079285 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/IMG_2909_3-scaled.jpg']

I need to bail. Can I defer my SF Marathon registration until next year?

Bailing? The people on the waitlist will thank you!

You can defer your registration to next year for a $39 fee, and the last day to do so is July 24. (That’s also the last day to convert your in-person race into a virtual one, if your plans have unexpectedly changed.)

Keep in mind that registration is nontransferable, and you cannot give or sell your bib to someone else.

What will the weather be like in San Francisco for the marathon?

Check the weather forecast again before you head out, as San Francisco weather can turn on a dime — and keep in mind that the National Weather Service forecasts the weather a week out.

Historically, the temperature around the courses is usually around 64°F, according to the SF Marathon website.

Whether you’re planning to participate in a race or just spectate, be sure to drink plenty of water well before going out.

The 49th Annual San Francisco Marathon returns July 25-26, 2026, offering distances from a 5K, 10K and half-marathon, to the full marathon and an ultramarathon. (Jason Doiy/Getty Images)

You can also be strategic about how to combat heat by cooling your body’s pulse points, such as your neck, inside your elbows, and behind your knees, to bring quick relief. In case things get toasty, KQED has a thorough guide on how to stay safe during a heat wave.

The full marathon has 14 hydration stations, which include water, electrolytes, medical assistance, and toilets. The SF Marathon encourages runners to bring refillable water bottles that are 50 gallons or less.

What’s the best way of traveling to the SF Marathon starting line that morning?

If you’re trying to get to the race for the full marathon’s 5:15 a.m. start time on Sunday, remember: BART service does not start early enough to get you there, and you’ll miss your race.

Instead, the SF Marathon will have shuttles from six BART stations to get you to the starting line. There is free parking at BART stations, and buses will run very early in the morning. Times are subject to change, but the list of BART stations with shuttles is currently:

Bay Fair (San Leandro) at 3:50 a.m.
Daly City at 4:05 a.m.
El Cerrito Plaza at 4:05 a.m.
MacArthur at 4:05 a.m.
Millbrae at 4:05 a.m.
Walnut Creek at 3:55 a.m.

Buses aim to arrive by 4:30 a.m. at the Main Start Line on the Embarcadero. You’ll need to purchase your bus ticket ahead of time, though.

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