Bay to Breakers: The Annual San Francisco Footrace

Each year, thousands of people from across the globe come down to San Francisco to participate in the annual 12K (7.46 mi) footrace known as Bay to Breakers.

Bay to Breakers originally began as a way to uplift the spirits of the residents who were impacted by the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake that killed approximately 3,000 people and was felt as far as Los Angeles and Nevada.  In 1912, after attempting to restore various parts of the city, San Francisco city officials started Bay to Breakers – which is now held on the 3^rd Sunday of May each year.  An average of 75,000 people participate, with the record breaking number at 110,000 in 1986 which earned the event an official record as the world’s largest footrace.

This popular event got its name from the design of the course. The course starts in downtown San Francisco’s Embarcadero bordering the San Francisco Bay on the east side and ends on the west side of San Francisco at the “breakers” of Ocean Beach. It is famously known for the participants who dress-up in costume in varying degrees of nudity. At Ocean Beach, participants end at “Footstock,” where live bands perform and people get together to have fun and maybe join in at the “beer gardens.” It’s all for fun and health – just check out the video!

Normally, the runners are up front and participants who are on floats or are walking remain in the back.  The first 10,000 to cross the finish line are reported on the San Francisco Examiner and runners attempt to break records to be listed on the Bay to Breakers website.  Bay to Breakers is also home to the World Centipede Running Championships, in which 13 runners are tethered together with a floater, usually the team captain, who runs alongside to substitute for a runner who needs to catch their breath!

If you want more information on this San Francisco tradition, or to register for the upcoming Annual Bay to Breakers race as a participant or a volunteer – visit: http://baytobreakers.com/.