Overall Rating
Overall Rating (55 Reviews)
4
(55 Ratings)  (55 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
3.2
SCENERY
4.2
PRODUCTION
3.9
SWAG
3.5
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! … MORE
Local Historical Weather (May 18):
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H (°F)  67  63  76  67  67
L (°F)  56  54  50  53  58
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Recent reviews

    turtle1024 FIRST-TIMER '24

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    epmadeen FIRST-TIMER '24

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    beth.lapachet REPEAT RUNNER '24

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    loungesong REPEAT RUNNER '24

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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    michaelguss.nv FIRST-TIMER '24

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    2
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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    kenkubey REPEAT RUNNER '23

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    2
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    gpruns REPEAT RUNNER '23

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3
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    haleyannesawho REPEAT RUNNER '23

    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

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    2
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    1

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    daniel FIRST-TIMER '22

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    jkentris REPEAT RUNNER '19

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    1

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    edmoyactor REPEAT RUNNER '18

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    My Report
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    RacerKN REPEAT RUNNER '18

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    akira.inamori REPEAT RUNNER '18

    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 !

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    dsnyrunner REPEAT RUNNER '18

    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

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    cyap69 REPEAT RUNNER '18

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

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    johnruns FIRST-TIMER '18

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    bmwmunk FIRST-TIMER '18

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
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    carijyao FIRST-TIMER '18

    I entered the race as part of the centipede, which was a unique experience in its own way. I really like how the course goes from east side of the … MORE

    I entered the race as part of the centipede, which was a unique experience in its own way. I really like how the course goes from east side of the city all the way to the beach, which covers almost all the. iconic parts of San Francisco. Although mostly flat, the Hayes St hill climb still gave runners some margins to improve and challenge themselves. Did I mention the costumes? It was indeed a party for the city of San Francisco.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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    It’s pretty fun with all the music - the city cheers you on and parties as you fly by. Of course you will see a naked man or two along … MORE

    It’s pretty fun with all the music – the city cheers you on and parties as you fly by. Of course you will see a naked man or two along the way but it’s good fun (maybe not child appropriate)

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3
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  1. Races
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