It feels like there is always a race going on in the Bay Area, I guess we are fortunate in that way. But there is one race in particular that is the oldest consecutively run annual footrace in the world: Bay to Breakers. And here is the kicker, I’ve never done it.
That’s right. A race that has been run every year since 1912 and I have yet to sign up for it. I’ve only been running since 2006, so I’ve only missed out on the last 8 races.
Here is the quick 411:
With a starting point near the San Francisco Bay, a few blocks from The Embarcadero, the 12K race runs west through the city and finishes at the Ocean Beach Parking Lot where breakers crash onto the Pacific Coast’s Ocean Beach. A quintessential San Francisco experience for 102 years, the race is interwoven into the fabric of the city and is a true reflection and celebration of life between the breakers and the Bay.
Recently, Bay to Breakers has been known for its costumes, and party-like atmosphere. BUT, it also draws the super fast, elite racers. Quite the combo, right? The winners of each division (M/W Elite Division, M/W Masters Division and M/W Bay Area Residents Division) get $3k. The course record will get $5k and if a world record is set then the winner will get $10k… and all the fasties are after it. As for the costumes, well, San Francisco is a unique city with lots of character, so we know how to have a good time.
For me, I sort of was hesitant to give the race a try as I tend to be more focused on the running aspects of a race and sadly, alcohol has also been associated with the party-like participants. I just didn’t want a part of it as I would much rather race, THEN “cheers” afterwards.
But over the past couple years there has been a shift to steer away from the disorderly behavior and the race has taken steps towards removing alcohol from the course. With new management and owners this year, Wasserman Media Group, they are focusing on the runner experience — which is great news for a runner like me. There is a zero tolerance policy on race day for alcohol and wheeled devices (including floats). Costumes and centipedes are still allowed as the goal is to:
“KEEP IT SAFE, KEEP IT FUN!”
The race is held on May 18 and I’ll be running the race for the very first time. I’m looking forward to FINALLY being a part of Bay to Breakers. With Under Armour on board as the gear sponsors, the shirts look pretty sweet. Registered participants will receive one for free along with a finishers medal. I’m also enjoying their redesigned website and strong social engagement and giveaways:
@BaytoBreakers on Twitter
@BaytoBreakers on Instagram
/baytobreakers on Facebook
$5 off coupon code: PAVEMENTRUNNER5
Registration will increase on Friday, April 11th at 5:00 p.m.
Any local races in your area you have yet to run?
I’ve heard the scenery on this race is pretty great–have fun!
I’ve heard this is a beautiful race – I would love to do it one day!
Looks like a fun race, and I really like that shirt!
There’s a local race in MD called Parks Half Marathon that runs through the state parks. I haven’t ran it yet, but I want to some day!
Jojo, the Parks Half Marathon was my first half marathon ever! It’s funny how sometimes we forego the big local races to try those in other states. Charlotte has the Thunder Road Marathon (and half) that I’ve yet to do, though I’m thinking about it this year just because it’s so close and they always have awesome medals (last year’s lit up).
We were just talking about this race this weekend and the parties that go along with it. I’m glad the race organizers are finding a way to strike a balance. Have a fun time!
It’s such a fun race and definitely full of crazies when I ran it. Glad to hear that they are changing things up a little. I hope that they will still let the salmon spawn “swim” in the opposite direction?
Looks like a fun race! There are a couple of smaller races in Minneapolis I’ve yet to run, hoping to get them on the schedule this summer!
So fun. I ran this race back in 2007 while pushing C in the jogger. Such a high energy race as with most races in SF. I also remember it being a tough race with a huge (1-2 mile long) whopper hill right off the start… but then again, it was my feeling as I pushed a jogger amidst the crowd. :)
Oh cool! This race sounds awesome! There are so many great races out on the west coast, I am very jealous! You seem to know them all :)
I have always wanted to do Broad Street here in Philly, but I am always away coaching this weekend so never can….it is annoying haha!
Sounds like they have made some awesome -strides to make the race both fun and safe! HAVE FUN PAVEY!!!!
Bay to Breakers is on my bucket list as I’ve read several recaps of it that sound awesome…I feel like a 1/2 is the minimum distance to fly for, but I think I’d make a special exception for this one since it is so historic and scenic!
Good luck!
Pardon me while I add yet ANOTHER race to my list of races I’d like to run :)
Shocked that you haven’t done B2B yet! I’ve done the race 12 times – more than any other race out there. And generally (unless I’m injured) I’m one of the few who runs it for time. I always sign up for Corral 1, so that I can get away from the crowds at the back and be in front of them. The race has indeed gone through a lot – when I first started doing in it 1999, it seemed like the partying was a part of it, but not all of it – you could still run it and have a good time. Though around 2006 to 2010 it seemed like the partying got out of hand, mainly from people who didn’t register, and had a big float contingent (30-40 people ish), and basically trashed the course through alcohol, urinating, etc. The trash cleanup and arrests were getting out of control. So they really cracked down on alcohol, banned floats, and required all runners to register. Alcohol still is a part of the race at the back, but it is a much smaller part of the race than it used to be. I miss the 1999-2005 timeframe, when it was a perfect race. Likely we will never get that back again.
I’ll be there this year, in Corral 1 hoping to run away from the pack again lol.
http://nellyontherun.blogspot.com/2012/05/bay-to-breakers-race-recap.html
Yes, I’ve heard about the Bay to Breakers as a fun wild party, did not know that they cleaned their act up. Sounds like one to put on the bucket list.
I’m knocking one out tonight — the Grand Blue Mile in Des Moines — and another one later this year — the Dam to Dam. I’ll be skipping out on the Bix for a while because of the RAGBRAI overlap.
You left out the naked people! This is the only race in the country – maybe world – that allows naked people. SF even went out of their way to exempt nudity in the Bay to Breakers while cracking down on nudity other times. So, don’t forget the naked people!
I am coming down from Oregon to run this race for the first time and I’m super excited! I have to be there for work and when I heard my work trip aligned with this iconic race I had to register!! Hoping to have a memorable run!!