Established in 1912, Bay to Breakers is a 12K (7.46 miles) course. From sea level at the Embarcadero the course rises steeply along Hayes Street Hill. Around the 2.5-mile mark runners climb an 11.15% grade between Fillmore and Steiner, bringing them to the highest point in the race, approximately 215 feet above sea level. The remainder of the course gradually flows downhill alongside the Panhandle and through Golden Gate Park.
If you are a spectator then bring your camera because you will see everything from world class marathon racers, centipede runners (groups of 6 or 12 people tied together) or people in all types of costumes and some not in anything. You will even see a pool of salmon running the course backwards, but watch out for the naked runners, they can be shocking to see. I used to live near Hayes at Laguna and every year I loved to see the groups of returning friends who would try to scale the Hayes Street hill bearing a Tiki Bar (yes, I said a Tiki Bar) with a couple of kegs inside it Sometimes they made it all the way up and sometimes they didn't, but they always looked as if they were having a great time. I think they will even give you a glass of keg beer if you help them reach the top of the Hayes Street hill.
The race starts on Mission Street and literally cuts the city in half, so if you have to cross Market, Hayes or Fulton Streets, you should plan to be across them before 8 am and expect delays until at least noon. The traffic also causes over flows and back ups onto the approach of the Bay Bridge, not to mention parking will be crazy to get starting on Saturday night near the starting point.
May 20, 2007 - Always the Third Sunday in May
Start Time: 8:00 am
USA Track & Field Certified 12K - 7.46 miles
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