The 49th San Francisco Marathon launched before sunrise Sunday. Races stack through mid-morning — here are the street closures, Muni impacts, and the best spots to catch the action.

The 49th San Francisco Marathon launched before sunrise this Sunday, July 26, with the Full Marathon stepping off at 5:15 a.m. at the Embarcadero at Market Street. Races are stacking through mid-morning, and SFMTA has confirmed street closures with multiple Muni lines subject to reroutes and delays. If you're waking up to a different city than you left last night, here's what's happening and when it clears.

What's still running

The Full Marathon and 1st Half Marathon (6:30 a.m.) are already underway from the Embarcadero at Market Street. The Alexi Pappas 10K starts at 7:15 a.m. at the same corner; the 2nd Half Marathon follows at 8:30 a.m., staging separately from MLK Jr. Drive at Golden Gate Park; a Sunday 5K closes the waterfront schedule at 9:00 a.m. at Embarcadero and Market. Ultra Marathon runners, whose first loop started Saturday night at 10:15 p.m. from Embarcadero at Market, are also still out on course. All times are listed as subject to change by organizers; live updates at thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/.

Streets and transit

SFMTA has confirmed closures along the course with Muni lines rerouted or delayed throughout the morning. Avoid the Embarcadero and Market Street corridors by car until early afternoon. The full traffic advisory and detour map is at sfmta.com/project-updates/san-francisco-marathon. Rideshare drop-off points, BART bus connections, and bike parking are detailed on the race travel page. The cleanest move if you need to reach the north waterfront for any reason: BART to Embarcadero station — the streets around it are closed to cars anyway, and you'll exit directly into the race corridor.

Where to watch

The Embarcadero stretch is the single best spectator position — the Full Marathon, 1st Half, 10K, and 5K all roll through in sequence across the morning, meaning you can plant yourself once and catch multiple waves. The finish line festival is near the Full Marathon finish on the waterfront. For a lower-key alternative, catch the 2nd Half Marathon near MLK Jr. Drive in Golden Gate Park with a fraction of the crowd.

The race's historical average temperature is 64°F, per thesfmarathon.com — typical marine layer, so bring a layer if you're standing for multiple waves.

Last year's 48th edition drew roughly 33,000 runners and sold out the Full Marathon, according to Endurance Sports Wire. The 50th Anniversary edition is already on the calendar — July 25, 2027 — with registration open now and a commemorative jacket available while supplies last at thesfmarathon.com.