San Francisco

Nike Won't Host 2016 Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco: City Leaders

Nike's Women's Half Marathon will not be coming to San Francisco in 2016, according to city leaders.

For more than a decade, the wildly popular event has drawn thousands of runners to Union Square in October.

Sara Ballard with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department said Nike told city officials in November they are moving the 2016 Half Marathon out of the city. The decision means 25,000 runners will flock elsewhere for the event, with Nike running off with thousands of dollars in fees it usually pays San Francisco to put on the event.

Sandy Del Grosso joined the Nike Plus Running Club in San Francisco 10 years ago to train for the half marathon.

"It's given me a lot of opportunities to stay healthy, develop relationships even with employees," Del Grosso said.

Many other runners were shocked to hear of the event moving.

"I feel really bad because it's something I enjoy doing and it gave me the opportunity to run," Del Grosso said.

The change of venue will also run business away from hotels and restaurants who said they rely on the October event.

"That's business right there leaving," Daly City-resident Crystal Navarro said. "A lot of people from other areas come up here."

Nike has not returned messages requesting information for where it plans to hold the event next year.

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