Running News Daily

San Francisco Half Marathon returns for its 39th year this weekend

The San Francisco Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K presented by Pamakid Runners returns on February 5, 2023, after a renewal from title sponsor, Kaiser Permanente. This year marks the race’s 39th year running through the streets of San Francisco, and Kaiser Permanente’s 19th year as title sponsor. 

The San Francisco Half Marathon started in 1983 and has become one of the city’s largest road races, with over 100,000 runners having crossed the finish line. Over the years the race has raised over $1 million which goes right back into the community.  Registration numbers have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels as the race remains a long-time fixture on the Bay Area running calendar.

According to club President Jerry Flanagan, “Pamakid Runners take great pride in promoting a healthy lifestyle and supporting our local community and charitable causes through our participation, volunteering, and financial support.  Through the continuing success of the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon, Pamakid Runners was able to donate over $120,000 in 2022 to many local and regional nonprofits.  More to come in 2023!”

This year, the race’s charity partners include Girls on the Run, Salvation Army Harbor Light, Running for a Better Oakland, and Support for Families of Children with Disabilities. 

Kaiser Permanente’s ongoing support has been instrumental to the success of the event.  Over 100 Kaiser Permanente employees are involved in executing the race’s medical plan, ensuring a safe race day experience for all.  “We approach the runners as if they were patients in our office. On race days, we see everything from minor injuries, such as scraped knees and sprained ankles, to hypothermia and shortness of breath. Our Kaiser Permanente health professionals work to assess and treat any issues,” says Race Medical Director, John Touhy who is a Kaiser Permanente San Francisco sports medicine physician.

The 39th annual race, produced by Blistering Pace Race Management, is Sunday, February 5th in Golden Gate Park with three distances to choose from including a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. Registration is available at www.sanfranciscohalfmarathon.org

About Pamakid Runners: Established in 1971, the Pamakid Runners strive to promote a healthy lifestyle, support the running community and charitable causes by organizing, volunteering, and participating in running-related and social events in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Visit www.pamakidrunners.org for more information.

About Blistering Pace Race Management: Founded in 2016, BPRM works in a variety of race management capacities, ranging from staffing to full operational oversight. Clients include the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon (10K & 5K), the Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon and Half Marathon, the Big Sur Marathon Foundation, Chicago Event Management, and the New York Road Runners. For more information, visit www.blisteringpace.com