Thousands of runners took to the streets of San Francisco early on Sunday for the Golden Gate Half Marathon and 5K, with participants setting off beneath the city’s famous landmark.
The annual event began from Van Ness Avenue near Aquatic Park, with the half marathon starting at 6.50am and the 5K following at 7.15am.
Half-marathon runners followed a route through the Marina, Crissy Field and the Presidio before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and returning to the finish near Beach Street and Ghirardelli Square. The 5K course headed towards Baker Beach before turning back.
The Golden Gate Bridge’s east and west sidewalks were closed during the race, while the roadway remained open to traffic, according to the Golden Gate Bridge district.
San Francisco’s transport authority said several roads were temporarily closed and Muni services were rerouted around the Marina, Russian Hill and Van Ness Avenue while the runners made their way through the course.
The race, which organisers describe as one of the city’s landmark running events, offered participants sweeping views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
