100 FIRST-TIME MARATHON FINISHERS ONE BAY. EVERY PACE.
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BAY AREA RUNNING / Guides

Choose your first marathon thoughtfully

Compare the course, cutoff, preparation time, travel, and entry terms before making a first-marathon commitment.

Start with the official participant information

Check the organizer’s date, distance, course description, time limit, and participant requirements. Confirm whether the cutoff works for your expected outing, including stops. An inspiring photo does not tell you how the event operates.

Compare the whole commitment

Entry fees are only part of the cost. Consider transport, accommodation, time away from work, and the logistics of getting to the start and home from the finish. Read the refund, transfer, and cancellation terms before paying.

Give preparation enough room

A race date should fit your starting point rather than force a rushed progression. Ask a qualified coach if you need help evaluating the timeline. A later race is a valid choice, and the First 100 does not require a finish this calendar year.

Our official event and other options

The Golden Gate Bridge Marathon is our official event, hosted and sponsored by Bay Area Running, with details still in planning. You can research other independently organized marathons through our race-options page. A first finish at another organized full marathon can count toward the proposed campaign.

Official sources & maps

Visit the responsible organization for current information.

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