Bay to Breakers, San Francisco’s celebrated 12K race, returns in August! It’s official – we’re a Leo baby! 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 …
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Bay to Breakers, San Francisco’s celebrated 12K race, returns in August! It’s official – we’re a Leo baby! 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.
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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!
Both entertaining and challenging
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.
Fun party along with a race!
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)
Great race, but finish was disorganized
The good: Corrals were well organized. The start went well. Mile markers were better this year. Water stops were good-sized and well staffed. Lots of good music along the course. … MORE
The good: Corrals were well organized. The start went well.
Mile markers were better this year. Water stops were good-sized and
well staffed. Lots of good music along the course. Lots of clever costumes.
Beautiful course.
The bad: The finish area was very crowded and disorganized. I got a bottle of water and banana without much trouble. Found people giving out finisher medals quickly. Couldn’t find the t-shirt area easily. When I finally found it, the poor kids were holding up hand-printed signs on cardboard to show the different sizes (SM, M, L, XL.) DISORGANIZED!!!
Saw many people with sealed 6 -pack or 12-pack boxes of the Peet’s coffee samples. It would have been nice if each runner could get one can. Was no one handing out samples? Did people just grab boxes? Something was really screwy.
Please spend some money on a HUGE sign to show where the t-shirt distribution is and spend some money on t-shirt size signs also.
Overall, the race was a lot of fun. I’ll be back next year.
Not a serious race, but hella fun!
This was my second time participating in Bay to Breakers, and I think I enjoyed it more than I did my first time out, because I wasn't as overwhelmed. The … MORE
This was my second time participating in Bay to Breakers, and I think I enjoyed it more than I did my first time out, because I wasn’t as overwhelmed. The Hayes Street Hill is quite challenging, and the crowds tend to hem you in, so I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone seeking to PR. But if you want a really fun morning of zany costumes while enjoying the sights and sounds of San Francisco, this is definitely a race to try. The Golden Gate Park portion of the course was what I found most enjoyable, both for the scenic nature on display, and the relatively flat pavement that lets you make up for the time you lost on the inclines. There are also a few live bands positioned throughout the park, and they kept me going when I was starting to lose steam. You can run the whole thing straight if you keep an easy pace, and it’s really great to be rewarded with an ocean view upon finishing. Very crowded, but well run given how many participants that need managing!
Not my type of race!
As a new resident to the Bay Area, I had no idea the type of race I signed up for. I did not expect nudity on the course. I was … MORE
As a new resident to the Bay Area, I had no idea the type of race I signed up for. I did not expect nudity on the course. I was shocked and disgusted by it. The whole race seemed to be like one giant party. People were entering and exiting the course while I was running through. I could not race this course. It was a horrible experience. I didn’t expect it to be like this. I really wish you had stated on your website about the nude runners because I would have never signed up. It’s just not a type of race I would run.
The Oldest and Best!
Awesome, unforgettable course! This race has everything--world class runners, 50,000+ other participants, great sites, parties and it finishes in the best park in the world!! MORE
Awesome, unforgettable course! This race has everything–world class runners, 50,000+ other participants, great sites, parties and it finishes in the best park in the world!!
An Interesting Race
This is an odd one. it's a 12K with the option to do a bonus 3K and earn a second medal. It is also a part of the SF Original … MORE
This is an odd one. it’s a 12K with the option to do a bonus 3K and earn a second medal. It is also a part of the SF Original Race Series challenge. This race isn’t typical in a lot of ways. for 2018 there were about 35,000 participants! Bring cash for on course. People are selling food and booze the entire way. Also be prepared for nudity! Lots and lots of nudity. 😉 Everyone was super nice and a very friendly race. Plan ahead and stay for the after part at the finish line.
WOW an improvement over previous years!!
in 2017 I hated this race!!! I swore to never do it again, i didn't want to watch people peeing in public, be next to drunk people and people smoking … MORE
in 2017 I hated this race!!! I swore to never do it again, i didn’t want to watch people peeing in public, be next to drunk people and people smoking marijuana right in the corrals, and the way too many naked people BUT this year, 2018, it was so much fun!!! Greater police presence, which created a fun not drunk or high atmosphere, people didn’t jump in from the sides, we could actually run!! I did the 15k, the first year of the bonus. Really do it, it is SF at its best.
Not for serious runners/racers
Bay to Breakers is fun, if you let go of trying to PR and accept the fact that there will be bottleneck during the first 2 miles (even if you're … MORE
Bay to Breakers is fun, if you let go of trying to PR and accept the fact that there will be bottleneck during the first 2 miles (even if you’re in Corral A). I have ran this race four times, and every time, until this year, I got annoyed with walkers in early corrals and drunk spectators jumping on the course. So, if you truly enjoy racing for speed/time, I would not recommend this run. If you want to experience the race- the costumes, nudity, historic course, etc; then definitely do it!
For the course: I enjoy running up Hayes Hill, and definitely like the rollers throughout Golden Gate Park. Once you enter the park, you have more space and can push the pace. People should be aware, the weather at the starting point, through the park, and at the finish line can change drastically!
An awesome time
My husband and I ran this race together for the first time this year and we had a blast. The weather was a bit on the hot side this year … MORE
My husband and I ran this race together for the first time this year and we had a blast. The weather was a bit on the hot side this year but all of the costumes and partying makes the run fly by. We took home tons of goodies from the finish line festival which was surprising considering the turnout this year. We will surely be back next year
Bay to Breakers 2017 (Rainbow Beads)
I have been pining over racing Bay to Breakers for years. Running? Costumes? Beaches? Sunshine? California? Sign me up! Yet, for some reason, every year since it came onto my … MORE
I have been pining over racing Bay to Breakers for years. Running? Costumes? Beaches? Sunshine? California? Sign me up!
Yet, for some reason, every year since it came onto my radar, I’ve always been unavailable for Bay to Breakers weekend. But … in 2017 the stars aligned. Well, technically, the stars started to align in 2016, as that’s when my husband realized that point prices were REALLY low for airline and hotel reservations, and he had plenty of points (and then some) to cover us.
So late last fall, with my sister roped in to my shenanigans and our travel reservations booked, we started planning costumes for Bay to Breakers. Because that’s the most important part, duh!