Federal Shutdown Forces Course Change for Golden Gate Half Marathon

URGENT UPDATE: The federal government shutdown is disrupting more than just federal services; it has also forced significant changes to the Golden Gate Half Marathon happening in San Francisco this Sunday, October 15, 2023. With 7,500 participants ready to race, the iconic event is adapting its course due to federal park closures impacting the Golden Gate Bridge area.

The race kicks off at 6:50 a.m. at Aquatic Park, winding through the city and concluding at Ghirardelli Square. However, due to the government shutdown, organizers have had to alter the traditional route, omitting popular landmarks like Fort Point and Hopper’s Hands—both federally managed sites.

“We had to scramble over the past few days with city officials to plot out a new course,” said Gretchen Schoenstein, an organizer with Golden State Challenge. The rushed modifications mean the new course will not receive certification from U.S. Track and Field officials, impacting runners hoping to qualify for major races like the Boston Marathon. Approximately 5% of participants will face this certification issue, but most are simply running for fun.

Among the eager participants is Carmen Gonzalez, who traveled from Mexico to fulfill her childhood dream of running in San Francisco. “I love it! Running on the Golden Gate. Seeing the ocean and everything. It’s amazing,” she expressed. Another runner, Kayleigh Aquino, a former collegiate athlete from Berkeley, is thrilled to compete in her first half marathon.

Despite the challenges, many participants, such as local runner Rakesh Sharma, are unfazed by the course changes. “The course correction is fine. It doesn’t really bother me as much,” Sharma noted.

As the race approaches, excitement is palpable among the runners, with top male competitors expected to finish under 1:30:00 and female runners aiming for under 1:40:00. A time under 2:00:00 is considered a strong performance.

The Golden Gate Half Marathon remains a staple of the San Francisco running calendar, and despite the federal shutdown’s impacts, the spirit of the race continues. Stay tuned for updates as the event unfolds this morning!