This is San Francisco’s running ritual in full costume. Bay to Breakers is a 12K of wigs, wings, and “did I just see that?” moments.
Centipede crews charge up Hayes Street and Elvis’s chase unicorns through Golden Gate Park. The city shuts down. The weird gets turned up. And for one glorious day, we all run wild together.
Bay to Breakers, San Francisco’s celebrated 12K race, returns this May! And if you’re new here, you should know we do things a little differently. Throw on a costume (the more bizarre, the better), take in the atmosphere, and prepare for a running experience like no other.
It’s So Pretty! (And then Cool. And Then Pretty Again.)
Bay to Breakers starts in the Embarcadero neighborhood by the San Francisco Bay, and takes you through nine of the city’s most notable neighborhoods—all the way to the Great Highway, where the breakers crash into Ocean Beach.
Among other sights, you’ll race through Panhandle Park at the northern boundary of the Haight Ashbury—the birthplace of the Deadhead—and cut through Golden Gate Park. (Pro tip: watch out for the bison .)
It’s All Historic!
This race has been around the block a few times: Runners, walkers, joggers, and partiers have participated in Bay to Breakers for over a century. While no racer has had the distinction of running every year since its inception—remember, we said “over a century”—the race has welcomed runners from ages 1 to 99. (Spoiler: The baby did not win.)
It’s Fun!
Bay to Breakers is a celebration of life, laughter, and the personality of San Francisco. Join the pink-ape mascot Ape Hashbury, bumblebees, brides, unicorns, naked runners wearing running watches, and probably at least one Thanos in this world-renowned race-slash-party.
It’s Relaxed! (Until It Isn’t)
Enjoy a flat course through some of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods—until you reach Hayes Street Hill at the two-mile mark. This monster hill rises over 200 feet above sea level, with a steepest grade of 11.15%. (Runner’s World named it one of its top “Sublime Climbs,” so it can’t be all bad, right?)
You’ll Be, Like, Famous!
Love having people gaze upon you in adoration? Spectators, volunteers, and staff line the race course each year, adding up to lots of eyeballs on your form, your costume, and your incredible speed.
LESS
Will do it again
Loved it, will do it again next year. Scenery was beautiful............................................................................................................................................................... MORE
Loved it, will do it again next year. Scenery was beautiful……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Fun atmosphere
This is a good race for people wanting to party. Easy course with very good vibes all around. As someone who is underaged, it is not the best place to … MORE
This is a good race for people wanting to party. Easy course with very good vibes all around. As someone who is underaged, it is not the best place to have a good time but still a fun race.
Crazy
This is insanity at its finest, with amazing views both on and off the course. Be prepared for chaos everywhere and flying tortillas. The crowd is lively, the streets are … MORE
This is insanity at its finest, with amazing views both on and off the course. Be prepared for chaos everywhere and flying tortillas. The crowd is lively, the streets are packed with people, the water is plentiful.
Pretty Generic
Doesn't live up to it's reputation as a really fun time Over produced, with no real soul or party All costumes were from Amazon It's a Color Run style family … MORE
Doesn’t live up to it’s reputation as a really fun time
Over produced, with no real soul or party
All costumes were from Amazon
It’s a Color Run style family run, not a party run
They did their best to kill the vibe at the after-party (pretty lame)
Folks who didn’t run aren’t allowed at the after party (couldn’t hang w friend)
Do it if you want a slightly longer Color Run type experience.
Don’t do it if you hope to have a Burner style party while running a 12K and partying about it later.
I love this race
Always fun. I've done this dozens of times since the 80's. Easy bib and shirt pickup. Good crowd control. Vibes very relaxed. Weather this year was perfect. MORE
Always fun. I’ve done this dozens of times since the 80’s. Easy bib and shirt pickup. Good crowd control. Vibes very relaxed. Weather this year was perfect.
Not What it Used to Be but Still Great!
I've run the race most years for the past 30. This year the expo (if you can even call it that) was at Sports Basement--a store I love but is … MORE
I’ve run the race most years for the past 30. This year the expo (if you can even call it that) was at Sports Basement–a store I love but is really a pain to get to to avoid the $30 bib mailing fee. The T-Shirt is extremely low quality as were even the bibs.
The race itself is better than ever if you want to get a real time. Corral B where I started was easy to get to and was not overly packed for the first mile like it can be. It’s a great course with spectators most of the way. Unfortunately there were no live bands on the course at all.
Disorganized When Changing Race Distance
I changed from the 12k to the 15k in response to an email about a month before the race, and paid the extra $15 to run the 15k. I registered … MORE
I changed from the 12k to the 15k in response to an email about a month before the race, and paid the extra $15 to run the 15k. I registered in the sub-seded wave, as I had a qualifying time. Then when I get the bib, there is no assigned wave and I am still in the 15k. I email them, they say go to the solutions table, I do, I follow their instructions, they give me a sub-seded 15k bib. I run the race, then check the results at the end, and I’m in the 12k at a much slower pace than I ran. I don’t really think this is excusable as I emailed before the expo and followed instructions to solve the issue. I’m not fast enough to win anything but I did manage to run a decent time despite an injury recovery and I’d like to share that time with my friends. When I go to the results tent to complain about it, they made a show of writing it down on paper, but I highly, highly doubt that will ever be fixed given that I proactively talked about this issue before the expo and at the expo and it wasn’t fixed. Overall, gives the event a very disorganized feel. It was a fun race to run though. Just wish I was listed in the race I paid for and ran. And if you can’t switch people’s distance easily, don’t send emails encouraging them to switch.
Fun race. Mostly well organized.
The corrals really help with the start. Good water stations along the course. Some good music and fans along the way. Minor complaints: Bib numbers hard to read. Black numbers … MORE
The corrals really help with the start.
Good water stations along the course.
Some good music and fans along the way.
Minor complaints:
Bib numbers hard to read. Black numbers on white background is best.
T-shirt color is not good.
Costume party
If you have to do one race in SF this will be the one. It’s a 12k race where most wear a costume (a few don’t wear anything at all). … MORE
If you have to do one race in SF this will be the one. It’s a 12k race where most wear a costume (a few don’t wear anything at all). There is an additional 3k option for runners who wants the extra challenge. You get an additional finisher metal for running the extra 3k. Not a lot of people (at least the ones wearing extravagant costumes) actually does the bonus. The 3k is mainly around great highway and surprisingly isn’t exactly flat. The race itself is moderate because of Hayes hill around the 2/3 mile mark. So practice on hills!
Focus on the party and the swag
This is not a serious race, but it's a lot of fun. I'm an 8x runner and I always have a blast. Is way more fun if you don't care … MORE
This is not a serious race, but it’s a lot of fun. I’m an 8x runner and I always have a blast. Is way more fun if you don’t care about your time or performance and focus on the party
A Party Across San Francisco
Bay to Breakers is a 12km party race. You really have to be there to experience it. It's not really a race to be taken seriously. Right from the beginning, … MORE
Bay to Breakers is a 12km party race. You really have to be there to experience it. It’s not really a race to be taken seriously. Right from the beginning, it was one giant celebration of running and the bay area’s quirky residents. Tortilla fights, tons of ridiculous costumes, naked people, centipede teams, people chugging copious amounts of alcohol. You will never be bored on this race. It’s technically a difficult course for the distance because SF is hilly, but you will barely notice the hills since you will be so entertained. It’s definitely a bucket list race and something every runner should experience.
Classic continues
Such a fun event that it has become a must doin our household. You never know what or who you will see along the beautiful course. The race itself is … MORE
Such a fun event that it has become a must doin our household. You never know what or who you will see along the beautiful course. The race itself is exceptionally well run. Plenty of security, water stations, and porta potties along the route. The infamous Hayes Street Hill greets you at about mile 2.5. Once you finish off that beauty it’s pretty much a decline to the finish line on the Great Highway. Plenty of post race festivities for all!
The Original
This is San Francisco's most famous foot race. I've probably ran it about 3 or 4 times now. Well organized but crowded. Absolutely packed at the start line and along … MORE
This is San Francisco’s most famous foot race. I’ve probably ran it about 3 or 4 times now. Well organized but crowded. Absolutely packed at the start line and along the route. Some of the best swag at the finish was the giveaway food and drinks from sponsors. The expo is also a fun one to attend.
As weird and fun as ever
It's funny when you see serious runners at this race. Or families who bring their little kids. This race was meant to be an expression of San Francisco with all … MORE
It’s funny when you see serious runners at this race. Or families who bring their little kids. This race was meant to be an expression of San Francisco with all it’s strangeness. If you don’t like drunk people, or naked people, or people acting wildly, don’t run this race. If you want to PR, don’t run this race. If you want to participate in a unique foot race where coming in costume is a must, then run Bay to Breakers.
Price is good. You can pay to have your bib mailed to you which is always an awesome option. And it’s so big and important that BART starts early for this race – SF Marathon doesn’t get this kind of treatment!
First Timer, Won’t be my last!
Great for my first time. Wasn’t too sure what to expect but it was an awesome race. The only part that made me dislike the event was the difficulty in … MORE
Great for my first time. Wasn’t too sure what to expect but it was an awesome race. The only part that made me dislike the event was the difficulty in getting back to the starting line. Didn’t like that they wanted to charge you to take you back. I think that should’ve been included. I thought they had partnered with lyft to make it easier but with so many streets blocked off lyft couldn’t even get into the area to pick us up.
One of the traditional fun race!
This is one of the funnest race in the world. It's a not running race, but a festival. So, you can run, walk, and drink! I highly recommend you if … MORE
This is one of the funnest race in the world.
It’s a not running race, but a festival.
So, you can run, walk, and drink!
I highly recommend you if you want to have a fun during running.
You’ll be sure to want to join the race again !
Great, fun race
Bay to Breakers is a great way to celebrate. He course runs straight through the city from the Embarcadero to the Ocean. Great sites to see along the way. Residents … MORE
Bay to Breakers is a great way to celebrate. He course runs straight through the city from the Embarcadero to the Ocean. Great sites to see along the way. Residents come out to support runners. The costumes are great.
A
Such a fun race
This is only my third time doing the Bay to Breakers. It's always fun! I enjoy seeing all the costumes (or lack thereof). I also like all the giveaways at … MORE
This is only my third time doing the Bay to Breakers. It’s always fun! I enjoy seeing all the costumes (or lack thereof). I also like all the giveaways at the expo and at the end of the race. I’ll definitely consider doing it again.
It's not a race, it's an event!
This race is more about the journey than the finish line. It's people watching, crazy costumes, and the pure joy of a 12K long party! Highly recommended for the experience … MORE
This race is more about the journey than the finish line. It’s people watching, crazy costumes, and the pure joy of a 12K long party! Highly recommended for the experience and memories!
My favorite race!!!!
By far this has been my favorite race I’ve done! Bay to Breakers has it all. The runners are there to party and have a great time start to finish. … MORE
By far this has been my favorite race I’ve done! Bay to Breakers has it all. The runners are there to party and have a great time start to finish. The shirt is great, the medals are fantastic. Hayes hill is no joke. But the crowds along the course cheered everyone on. It was so much fun. Well organized, fun course. This race is a must!