Bay to Breakers
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Bay to Breakers |
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| Date and location | Third Sunday in May San Francisco, CA |
| Race type | Road |
| Distance | 12km |
| Established | 1912 |
| Official site | http://www.baytobreakers.com/ |
The Bay to Breakers is an annual footrace which takes place in San Francisco, California. The name reflects the fact that the race starts at the northeast end of the downtown area a few blocks from The Embarcadero (adjacent to San Francisco Bay) and runs west through the city to finish at the Great Highway (adjacent to the Pacific coast, where breakers crash onto Ocean Beach). The race is 7.46 miles (12 kilometers) long, and is run on the third Sunday in May. [1]
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[edit] History
| This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008) |
Robert J. Vlught, a student at St. Mary's College and newspaper copy-boy, won the first annual Cross-City Race on January 1, 1912 in a time of 44:10.[2][3][4] In 1965, the name of the race was changed to Bay to Breakers.[5][6][7]
Started in 1912 as a way to lift the city's spirits after the disastrous 1906 San Francisco earthquake, it is the longest consecutively run footrace in the world (other races' courses and lengths have changed over time). During World War II participation sometimes slipped below 50 registrants, but the tradition carried on. With 110,000 participants, the Bay to Breakers race held on May 18, 1986 was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest footrace.[8] That record number was partly the product of the running fad of the 1980s; currently the average participation is between 70,000 and 80,000. Race organizers estimated a field of 60,000 participants in 2008, 33,000 of whom were registered.[9] The San Francisco Examiner publishes a list of the first 10,000 finishers the day after the race each year.
Large numbers of participants walk the route behind the runners. Some participants dress in elaborate costumes or, though not technically allowed, wear nothing at all (except footwear), thus lending a party atmosphere to the event. One festive tradition is the tortilla toss, during which runners throw tortillas at one another to pass time (similar to balloon-batting at rock concerts).
Other oddities are always on the scene, including traditional characters such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Spider-Man, as well as other unique characters spawned for the race. There is also a group of much beloved "salmon," partcipants who don ELABORATE full body costumes to stagger upstream through the race. [10]
The route is typically dotted with various local bands performing. At the end of the race is "Footstock", a gathering where participants and spectators can enjoy musical performances by various musical acts.
In February 2009, city officials and race sponsors announced major changes to the race regulations. The regulations included an official ban on Floats, alcohol, drunkenness, and nudity.[11] The changes were made to assuage the concerns of San Francisco residents along the parade route, who say the race has gotten out of hand in recent years.[12] The news sparked outrage amongst many Bay Area residents who said the changes would destroy everything that has made the race a national treasure for most of the last century.[11] On February 27, 2009, city officials and race organizers announced that they were lifting many of the restrictions.[13] In particular, floats will now be allowed as long as they are registered, and nudity is not mentioned anywhere in the new restrictions. Although the bans on alcohol and drunkenness technically remain in effect, all "zero tolerance" language has been removed.[14]
[edit] Centipedes
In 1978, Dwayne "Peanut" Harms of the UC Davis men's track team founded a special division of the race in which 13 runners are connected as a unit entitled "centipedes".[15] An additional runner, a floater, usually the team captain, is allowed to run along untethered to pace the team or substitute for drop out runner. Despite the novelty, the centipede race is very competitive. The centipede winners used to have better finishing records than the women's division until just a decade ago. Bay to Breakers is the official site of the World Centipede Running Championships.[16]
[edit] Course
The initial course started at the Ferry Building along Market Street to Golden Gate Avenue before turning onto Divisadero Street.[17] In 1968, the start was moved from Market Street to Howard Street and the ascension to Divisadero moved to Hayes Street.[18] In 1983, the course was shortened from 7.51 miles to an official 12K (7.46 miles).[19] The current course turns west along Hayes Street and up Hayes Street Hill near Alamo Square. This is the only major incline in the race. After the hill, the race runs along the panhandle and then west through Golden Gate Park, past the Conservatory of Flowers, all the way to Great Highway and Ocean Beach.
[edit] Men's winners
| DATE | NAME | COUNTRY | WINNING TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2009 | Sammy Kitwara | 33:31WR? | |
| May 18, 2008 | John Kipsang Korir | 34:24 | |
| May 16, 1993 | Ismael Kirui | 33:42 | |
| January 1, 1912 | Robert Jackson Vlught | 44:10 |
- WR? - Bay to Breakers race organizers reported that this was the fastest 12km ever run[20]. Records from the Association of Road Racing Statisticians note that Joseph Kimani of Kenya ran 33:31 in 1997 at the Arts Fest River Run in Evansville, Indiana.[21]
[edit] Women's winners
| DATE | NAME | COUNTRY | WINNING TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2009 | Teyba Erkesso | 38:29 | |
| May 18, 2008 | Lineth Chepkurui | 39:20 | |
| May 15, 2005 | Asmae Leghzaoui | 38:22* | |
| May 23, 1971 | Frances Conley | 50:45 |
- *current course record[22]
[edit] Men's centipede winners
| DATE | TEAM | COUNTRY | WINNING TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 2008 | ASICS Aggies Men | 38:05[23] |
[edit] Women's centipede winners
| DATE | TEAM | COUNTRY | WINNING TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 2008 | ASICS Aggies Women | 47:47[24] |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "General Information". ING Bay to Breakers. 2006. http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/race_information/generalinformation.html. Retrieved on 2007-09-09.
- ^ http://www.sfgenealogy.com/sf/history/hgoe73.htm
- ^ Some references list his last name as "Viught"
- ^ http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/facts_figures_noteworthy_years.pdf
- ^ http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/content.php?section=race_information&page=history
- ^ http://www.arrs.net/HP_BtB12.htm
- ^ http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Bay_to_Breakers__Out_of_the_ashes_a_famous_race_is_born.htm notes name change in 1963
- ^ http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/facts_figures_noteworthy_years.pdf
- ^ http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/Race%20Results%20Release.pdf
- ^ Breakers to Bay Salmon Run!
- ^ a b SF Chronicle: Beer, Nudity Banned in Bay to Breakers
- ^ SF Examiner: Bay to Breakers Jumps on Wagon
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/facts_figures_noteworthy_years.pdf
- ^ http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/facts_figures_noteworthy_years.pdf
- ^ http://www.sfgenealogy.com/sf/history/hgoe73.htm
- ^ http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/content.php?section=other&page=chip
- ^ http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/facts_figures_noteworthy_years.pdf
- ^ http://www.baytobreakers.com/content.php?section=race_information&page=history
- ^ http://www.arrs.net/HP_ArF12.htm
- ^ http://www.baytobreakers.com/content.php?section=race_information&page=history
- ^ http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/Race%20Results%20Release.pdf
- ^ http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/Race%20Results%20Release.pdf
[edit] External links
- Bay to Breakers website Official Site
- SF Gate Article Bay to Breakers urges us to respect our city
- Citizens for the Preservation of Bay2Breakers (Save Bay to Breakers Official Community)
- 2008 Race Videos & Interviews 2008 Race Videos & Interviews
- Breakers to Bay website The Breakers to Bay salmon run
- Bay to Breakers Mile-O-Pede Bay to Breakers longest centipede attempt of 2006.
- 10 Bay to Breakers Survival Tips Guide to Bay to Breakers
- Bay to Breakers Photo Gallery - 2008
- Video from 2008


