Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon & 5K

This is a great course in either distance to go for a PR, but for a race of this magnitude it is awfully low-​fi. There isn’t even a clock at the halfway point of the HM to alert you of your split, and aid stations are lean on fuel. On the plus side, as someone who participates in over a dozen races per year, I love that the race bib is automatically mailed in lieu of required expo attendance. As for complaints about the tedium of running along the flat-​and-​fast Great Highway, I refer you to the scenic, back-​breaking hills of either the San Francisco (Half) Marathon or the Nike Women’s Half. There are far worse sights to behold for 5 miles than the sand dunes lining Ocean Beach.

+++review #1300+++
how appropriate is it that my 1300^th review is about a 13 mile race? in keeping with my running theme for every 100 reviews, this review will be dedicated to one of my favourite half marathons in san francisco. this event takes place every year on the morning of superbowl sunday, so you can get your exercise in, then go and splurge on beer and chips at a superbowl party!
having lived in sf for 2 years, i got used to running hills and participating in races that had long stretches of up and downhills. although i could not run as fast, hill workouts made my legs and glutes stronger, and when it came to running a flat race like kaiser, the hilly runs certainly made me a lot faster!
i ran this half marathon in 2010 and 2011, and both years, they offered a free training program sponsored by the pamakid runners club. this program consisted of coach-​led training runs every saturday in the month leading up to the race. they covered hillier terrain to allow us runners to get stronger and faster on the flats.
unlike other half marathons in sf (and elsewhere), this race was priced very reasonably… only $ 40 in 2010! although i’m told that the entry fee has increased since then.
the course begins in golden gate park, and takes you along the following neighborhoods/​landmarks:
+panhandle
+conservatory of flowers
+de young museum
+stow lake
+the great highway/​the ocean
definitely a fair amount of scenery, even though you are mostly at sea level!
the race offered several aid stations throughout the course, so that us haffie runners wouldn’t get dehydrated. volunteers did a great job manning these aid stations and handing out water.
there were also pacers when i ran in 2011, and i was able to hit a big pr (personal record) this year while following the pacers for the 1:50 group.
the post-​race finisher’s area was really nice as they had lots of food and drink for runners as well as several sponsor tents who brought samples for us (i.e. sports drinks, bars). sports basement also had a tent and had a raffle for a gift card!
i really liked the finisher’s shirt as it was a long sleeve tee, which was very appropriate for this early february race (most races only offer a short sleeve tee).
although there was no finisher’s medal, it didn’t bother me since i ran this race for the course, the prospect of setting a new pr, and to get some exercise before the superbowl.
this is definitely a great event that is suitable for runners and walkers of all levels.

This was my first organized 5K run ever so I don’t have much to compare it to – so with that being said, it was great for a first attempt. They mailed out the bibs and racing chips early and with that envelope came a small map of what the course would be like. On the morning of, I got there early (without my glasses) and was able to make out where everything should be and what corral I should be in. I couldn’t really hear the announcers much but for the most part it seemed okay.
To start, I do wish they’d break up corrals a bit more. I realize that maybe they can’t, but to lump everyone together who has a timing of 10 minutes or more together at the end creates a little bit of a strain in the first mile. There’s a lot of dodging and trying to clear the area as those who are running at various paces are set with those who are leisurely walking. Even though they mention that you should not run on the sidewalk, a lot of people end up doing that in order to continue running at their pace and not be held up.
At the end, my SO (who did not run) was a bit confused about the end markers since there were two so he didn’t get to be there to take photos (luckily they have a photographer there). It took a while to find him in the Fun Zone but there were so many tents and volunteers nearby helping you along the way and handing out stuff. Overall, not too shabby.
For those driving in to the area or those living nearby, be aware of the lack of parking or the traffic. We hadn’t really thought about this before so the time it took us to walk to the car, we could have just walked home. (Yes, that was our bad, but again, this was my first run.) Aside from that, I think it was a great scenic run and great for a first run.

Just finished the half marathon today. Great race, beautiful weather, well organized. Bravo!

Yay for mailing the bib and not making us go to an expo. Yay for having an expo after the race. Yay for having shuttle busses from the parking area to the start. Boo for the seemingness endless miles on the Great Highway. Boo for not having gels on the course.
Even though there are a few negatives, it was a well organized and good race.

This race is always held on SuperBowl Sunday, and it has been my pre big game race just about every year. A great way to start off the unofficial holiday.
The course is made for PRs, with a good downhill stretch at around mile 5. The hardest part (for me) is the out and back on the great highway, gets a little windy and monotonous out there. I always forget about the little hill in the last mile, gotta save a little something for that. The walk back to the car is usually a long one, but the race is great. It sells out so it’s good to sign up early. Running through Golden Gate Park is always great, it never gets old!!!

The Kaiser Run is one of those runs along Ocean Beach/​GG Park where you can experience with fam/​friends or you can do the 10K for some physical goals. Like the other Unilocalers I love that they mail your bib and info ahead of time. Fees are not that expensive. I did ask some of the folks working some questions on the track and they said, «I have no idea.» (Hence the minus one star). Along the path they’ve usually had Now Radio (Movin 99.7) to pump up the peeps in the middle of the run.
Overall at the finish line its a great feeling and they have some great educational and promo booths afterwards.

Flat, mostly straight, good view along Ocean Beach.
Also, this race is organized well.
First of all, they mail your bib in advance. Even if you register last minute, you can pick your bib up on the race day. It’s nice.
the fee is not very expensive like SF marathon. but you can get a lot of free food at a finish line :)
I want to beat my record next year. (under 1:55!!)

Well organized run with a relatively fast and flat course. This is not one of those themed races with runners in costumes and lots of on-​course entertainment. There were not a whole not of perks either. The finisher medal is only available this year since it was the 30^th anniversary. This is a no frills race good for people gunning for a PR.
The course take you through most of Golden Gate Park. Scenery was beautiful but got monotonic after a while. Finishing area was one of the better one I have been to. It was like a mini expo with all the different vendors. Plenty of food and drinks to sample. A little commercials but provided some good distractions.
Finishing line is actually quite far from the starting area. It was borderline walkable for someone who just finished 13.1 miles. The shuttle line was terribly long and slow. Wish it was more frequent.
Would I do this race again next year? Possibly. If I want a good PR.

Arrived a little late so I didn’t get to partake in the pre-​race festivities and it was a bit confusing finding the starting line, but we made it across just in time to get times.
The course was really nice for the most part. The run through GG Park in the morning was my favorite part. It also helps that most of it is a gradual downhill towards the ocean. GG Park is beautiful and running through most of it reminds you how big it is and the variety of activities it has to offer.
The second part of the course is a run down the great highway. Running alongside the majestic Pacific Ocean should be invigorating. And it was for the first five minutes. But then you realize, there is no shade, the wind kicks up a bit sand, and that road is in a horrible condition, littered with potholes that are too small to affect cars but just the right size for human feet to get tripped up in.
The finish line was good, and had a variety of vendor tents to explore, but on a smaller scale. The longsleeve t-​shirt and medal were okay.
All in all it was a great race route but low key in all other aspects.

I absolutely loved this race. It’s a gorgeous course (covers most of Golden Gate Park and a nice stretch along the PCH) and very manageable– lots of downhill. It was also quite organized. There were ample water– gatorade stations along the way, as well as bathroom locations. All public transportation was free of charge for the runners as well, which was a nice perk. I thoroughly enjoyed my post half marathon massage as well.
I had the same issue as the review below, John. N. My watch had the course from start to end at 13.41 miles, which was a little confusing.
I would definitely do this race again when I visit SF– it was a great experience!

My first half-​marathon and I’m glad I chose this one. The course seems to have been designed to be very fast and I never felt like my knees were taking a pounding from severe incline/​declines and sudden turns. The mood was upbeat (I’m sure the SF 49ers playing in the Super Bowl helped) and the volunteers and organizers did a great job. Everything started on time, there were a TON of water stations, practically every mile along with Gatorade at some stops. Two stop for bathroom breaks at mile 3 and 7. Also, the price CANNOT be beat for such a large and well known half-​marathon. The cotton t-​shirt was better than I was expecting though the goodie bag and expo was kind of lacking. Still, it’s the race that’s the important thing and in that regards this one shined. Thanx to the organizers!
The only «complaint» was that the half-​marathon course was 13.39 miles on my GPS watch. The extra distance certainly cost me a few minutes but more importantly, I couldn’t gauge when to start my kick since the mile markers were consistently off. And I’m sure it was not my GPS because everyone’s GPS watches were beeping at the same time. However, it’s not really a super duper serious race where you qualify for Boston or anything, so inaccuracies are a little more acceptable.
A side note: I actually moved between the time when I signed up and when they mailed out the bibs (yeah, they mail the bibs to you, isn’t that cool?). I emailed them requesting an address change, fully expecting them to refuse and having to pick up a replacement the morning of. They got back to me within half a day and fixed it. A special thanx to the rhody organizers!

The 5K was an enjoyable route, I never knew there was a waterfall in Golden Gate park but now I do! It also went through an area with lots of eucalyptus trees which gave a pleasant scent in the air.
Overall the route was pretty good, just a couple of small hills.
The post-​run activities were ok. It would have been nice if the Kaiser health and fitness tents were up and ready by the time the first batch of 5k finishers were done. Not much in the goody bag but at least they provided a FREE shuttle back to the starting line area!

This is a very well-​organized and enjoyable race. There were tons of friendly volunteers from start to finish, and a plentiful number of water and electrolyte stations. They even placed volunteers with signs alerting the participants that the stations were ahead (something to look forward to!).
As others have noted, the last half of the race can be a bit boring, since you just do a loop on the Great Highway — but the upside to that location is the view of the ocean and the fresh sea air. And yes, the last half mile being up a hill is just cruel — but otherwise, the rest of the course is flat.
We had to leave shortly after completing the race, so we didn’t get to peruse the after-​race expo, but the various stands (massages!) looked great.

The Kaiser 5K was my first race this year, second overall since I started running last year.
I thought the race overall was well organized. The only complaint I have is the snacks the vendors were offering to the participants were prepackaged, processed foods. I know most of us would prefer fresh fruits, yogurt, and bagels or something more substantial than what was offered.
The course for the 5K was amazingly breathtaking. It wasn’t flat like advertised, but the hills were not that bad in my opinion; although I overheard other runners complaining about the incline. San Francisco is a hilly city, so if you’re not training to run hills, you should be!
I will definitely participate again next year. I am already looking forward to it!

Gosh that incline towards the finish line did me in again. (see last year’s review)
I felt I was making good, personal-​record, time through mile 12-​ish till it was time for that final trudge up towards the finish. Even though I knew it was coming and had mentally shifted my gears to turbo-​mode, it felt I was moving in slow motion towards a mirage in the vision of a finish line. It came finally.
Still the Kaiser is a great half marathon to run. It’s one of the more affordable races in SF and you get to run along crashing ocean waves. While monotonous after a while, the ocean is quite the breathtaking sight once you exit Golden Gate Park. Coupled with fine weather this year, it was a perfect day to run.
Lots of special thanks to the organizers, sponsors, and all the enthusiastic volunteers who were diligent in water duty and generous in cheers. The Kaiser half is quickly becoming an annual ritual for me and I look forward to next year’s race.

This was my first race and first 5K in a really loooong time. The weather was great, if not a bit on the warm side for a race. However, the views of the park and the ocean were simply awesome and made the time fly by! Aside from one short incline, the 5K course is pretty flat and runs slightly downhill.
After reading the reviews from prior races I had expected chaos and confusion, but that was not what I experienced at all! Parking was relatively easy (I did not park at any of the suggested sites) and everyone was pretty mellow while waiting for the race to start. Loved the group stretch! Race information was easily accessible and readily available. Volunteers were everywhere to answer questions, direct traffic and provide general assistance. Overall it was a pretty well organized event. It was a little scary to have to cross the half marathon race to get to the shuttle buses, but I guess there aren’t many alternatives given how the course is set up.
One suggestion for improvement would be to stagger the start times, as the half marathon and 5K start at the same time. That goes for the runners and walkers alike. The first ½ mile was spent playing Frogger as I bobbed and weaved around strollers and walkers (those would be people, not the equipment). Given that we are all given timing chips, is there really a need for the slower participants to start way up in front? The two races split up fairly early so the crowding eased up after a few minutes.
The expo had the usual folks pushing their products and services, but I really enjoyed the bananas, brown rice and larger bottles of water! There were also a variety of health professionals to assist with running related issues and/​or to provide assistance with a much needed post-​race stretch.
I met quite a few neophyte runners and everyone seemed to really enjoy this race. We were all inspired by this race and looking forward to upcoming 10K and 12K races.
Thanks KP and RhodyCo!

After running the 5K the past two years, I decided to run the Half Marathon this year. What a gorgeous day for a 13.1 mile run! Can you say 80 degrees in January?
With so many runners and walkers, it was definitely slow moving at the start. There was way too much bobbing and weaving in the first 3 miles. Running through Golden Gate Park, the Panhandle, and the Great Highway was amazing. It was a pretty fast course, and loved the shade provided by the trees of Golden Gate Park, and was awesome to run next to the ocean on the Great Highway. I wanted to stop and take pics of the absolutely beautiful scenery, but maintained my focus on finishing, and kept repeating my mantra over and over again! I was also listening to my body by constantly hydrating to prevent overheating, and slowing the pace down if needed.
For someone who just wanted to finish the half marathon, I exceeded that and then some by beating my time from my previous half marathon by 12 minutes! Sweetness! I ran my heart out, as my Pare encouraged me to!
I was decked out in my SF Giants colors with my black capri running pants and orange top! :) So maybe I did, as Mike L quick tipped «Go Gill C with her sexy outfit and smoke people like a cheap cigar!!!» Not sure about the cheap part, but whatever. Thanks ML, and I hereby give you a *gillian* stars for that and for also finishing despite lack of training! :0
Pros:
— Beautiful (and fast) course
— Great energy by runners, walkers, volunteers
— Nice mile markers
— Water and gatorade stations at the appropriate mileage
— Cool KP shirts (even though they ran out of my size, see below)
Cons: (Areas for improvement) and reason for the 4 star rating:
— Limited signage for Sweat bag check ins (ML had no idea where to go, and didn’t seem like anyone was attending to the bags upon pick up)
— Clear markings to separate The 5K and Half marathon runners (as I was clumped behind the start line with some of the walkers)
— Staggered starts (hard to find the pace runners)
— Expo (ran out of Small shirts; no Popchip van; longish lines for clifbars and other vendors; ran out of Muscle milk)
— Give away bags (on the skimpy side with just a clifbar, trail mix, and some coupons that I probably won’t use)
On a more somber note, I’m sad to report that a fellow runner passed away, and so close to the finish line. RIP 36-​year-​old Peter Hass of Orinda.
I dedicate this review to you.
Keep on running!

This was not my first running race, but this was my first half marathon. Inspite of a hurting knee, I was ready to run with full excitement.
Great energy from fellow runners, potty/​will call/​sweat check very organized. Energetic commentator and appreciated the stretching session a few minutes before the run.
With 10,000 (or less) runners, it was slow and crowded at the beginning. Good for me as I was really just trying to pace myself. But by half a mile, there was enough elbow and over take room.
Mainly flat course in the Golden Gate Park out onto the Great Highway.
Great mileage markers thru out the course.
Ample water stations, altho organizers should have realized that with a big crowd and a wide close road, water stations should have been at either sides of the streets. There were signs indicating water/​electrolytes ahead, so runners can start positioning themselves, but still, it got cramped, with volunteers not being able to keep up with pouring/​giving out water cups.
At the finish line, no medal or ribbon. Water available after a few feet. This should have been ready as soon as I finished. No food, no cookies, no fruits, nada! I got a goody bag with a few munchies and that’s it.
Expo was irritating as I was tired but it seems like they are trying to sell/​show something. And to give a piece of clif bar, I had to fall in line? Wth??? Good old Molly’s Stone for their bananas, but it was at the freaking end after you pass all the booths. Seriously??? I just run 13 miles…
Sweat check bags were lined up and some of them was just there left unattended. A boy was holding a sign «not responsible for lost item», geez thanks!
Well, over all I did have fun and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished today. I will run Kaiser again without too much expectation at the end.

During a visit to a friend over New Year’s, I was convinced by said friend to run the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in San Diego with her and her husband. When I returned from that visit, I immediately set about starting my training, even though that race isn’t until June. And by training, I mean starting a running program which I promptly quit after two weeks (I blame the rain and the fact that I hate running indoors). I did manage to keep up doing some form of cardio, and of course with my bodybuilding program. Watch out for these biceps– they are pretty lethal.
As part of the «training,» I wanted to get an idea of my running capabilities in a competitive setting. I knew there was no way I’d be able to do the half, so I signed up for the 5K. And then forgot about it.
In high school, I was a runner. And by runner, I mean that I did the 100 hurdles at the start of the day, maybe did some long jump and triple jump if I felt like it, hung out by the pole vault pits all day, and maybe did the 400 meters at the end of the day. My track coach was a giant jerkmeat, so I frankly didn’t care about doing well. Many years later, I wanted to prove that I wasn’t a lazy bum, so I did the Danskin triathlon. And finished.
What was my point? Oh, that although the idea of a 5K with minimal training was daunting, I knew that if I could run a 5K after a 12 mile bike ride and half mile swim, this would be a piece of cake. Needless to say, I was not really in the mood to run this, but didn’t want to be a quitter.
And you know what? I had a good time.
A couple of suggestions– like Devon mentioned, the organization in the beginning was HORRIBLE. What they should have done is have different bib colors based on your pace (or what you thought your pace would be), so they could better streamline the start. You get a timing chip, so why not stagger the start? It would help (a little) with staggering the finish as well. I also wanted to elbow quite a few people in the face who were walking– and slowly at that. Did they really affect my time? Possibly. My time was 30:41. I probably could have done it in under 30:00 had I not had to play Frogger.
Also, the 5K didn’t have mile markers. As I really don’t know my pace (I knew it was marginally under 10:00/mile), looking at my watch wasn’t all that helpful. Particularly due to the aforementioned slow-​ass walkers.
Other than that, it was a beautiful, easy run. No major hills to speak of (yay), and great weather.
They definitely need better organization, but I definitely want to do it again.