ING Bay to Breakers Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

JT S.
San Francisco, CA

  (06-02-2010)

"This run is about fun. The costumes are incredible and sometimes the lack of costume is disturbing. My Asics Aggies Club competes in the centipede competition each year. 13 runners tied together attempting to run 5 minute mile pace across the city. That's the run part.

Then we finish and join the masses for a 7 mile parade, party, and utter spectacle. You must do it at least once in your life as San Francisco's finest, nakedest and fastest are on display. "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Christine A.
San Mateo, CA

  (05-17-2010)

"Gotta love and hate this race.

Love it because it's a great course. Love it because it brings out people who run but don't necessarily run 'races.' Love it because the locals along the course share their music and enthusiasm which is very motivating. Love it because Hayes Street is your worst enemy facing you and then eating your dust. Love it because I seem to meet the nicest people before and after it.

Hate it because there are way too many people. Hate it because the walkers push their way up to the front and then walk. Hate it because the drunk 'runners' run into you and you almost fall or you're weaving around them because they are weaving. Hate it because I don't want to see naked people running, it just seems painful.

I survived, didn't elbow anyone in the crowd even though I got elbowed. Didn't swear at anyone for stepping on me, even though I was stepped on more than a few times. Managed to survive Hayes Street hill, although, it didn't seem as big of a hill as it did the first year I ran b2b.

Will I run b2b again? Most likely but not for another 4 or 5 years. It's a race that has to be run but it can be way too overstimulating. Overstimulation is good once in a while.

The weather was perfect for running. "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2010

Christine A.
San Mateo, CA

  (02-26-2010)

"I knew about the tortillas, the costumes, the naked people, and the drinking.

I thought I could handle it all. This was the very first race I'd ever run.

The naked people should not have been naked. I had people, who did not run the race, "where did they put their bibs?" If I don't like seeing naked people, why would I look for their bib numbers?

I vowed I wouldn't run this race again, at least until I could be an official runner and be away from the rif raf.

Time, worked out to be 13.3 minute miles.

Had in-n-out cheese burger, fries, and a vanilla shake after the race. Felt better after that. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2006

Mengting S.
San Francisco, CA

  (08-07-2009)

"Such a fun race. If you're from the bay area this is as much a fun run as you can get. I heard it has cleaned up a lot over the past couple of years. Just have an open mind to the sites and sounds and you'll have a great experience to share with others!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Tara M.
Walnut Creek, CA

  (08-04-2009)

"Obviously this is a legitimate race, however very few take it as such and I would be one of those few who was not racing this day :) This is pretty much like a huge frat party and one can't help but laugh at all the ridiculous things you see! There is a lot of nudity and drinking. People are EVERYWHERE and it's just amazing to see the city of San Francisco come together for this event.

Since I didn't do very much running this day I am not one to discuss the course. Overall, I think this is a MUST for all SF residents to do at least once in their lifetime. If you actually want to run this as a race I highly recommend registering early so that you can get into one of the early corrals so that you're not stuck with all the individuals there walking/drinking their way through SF :)
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

John L.
Vacaville, CA

  (07-29-2009)

"I'm not a runner. I don't know how I got to this website. I don't know how I got suckered into this race. That said, I had an amazing time! Without cause or theme or charity, the race feels like a celebration of the city. Go celebrate!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Charlene C.
Irvine, CA

  (07-27-2009)

"Tons of fun, even if you're not a runner, like me! I suck at running actually, and it kicked my ass pretty badly (cramps are not my friends!), but I still had a blast. Throwing tortillas and seeing naked asses jiggling is quite amusing. Will definitely do it again, but will try to train for it this time! "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Cynthia L.
Sacramento, CA

  (07-15-2009)

"A one-of-a-kind race. You must try it! It is a pretty flat course, except for one hill -- Hayes Street Hill -- about two miles into the run. I thought the start was well-organized, but I wish I had checked out the map before the run: there were three water stops within the first four miles, but then no water stations until the end of the race. I would have brought a hand-held bottle if I had known.
Otherwise, I had a blast. I loved the costumes, the fans, and the overall energy of the race."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Kenin C.
Sunnyvale, CA

  (07-02-2009)

"It can be a little hard to get to since in the middle of San Francisco, but then it's really cool because it's in the middle of San Francisco. There's one hill part. I had assumed all nakedness would be organized and they'd be all in one group and easy to avoid, but they're just randomly scattered throughout the race."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Prasun P.
San Jose, CA

  (06-27-2009)

"Its definitely one of those races where you can have a ton of fun. You have Elite runners at the start line followed by a bunch of crazies. The course winds through SF and ends at Golden Gate Park. This year, it seemed like the course was more organized and the shuttle service was a smoother experience than in previous years. "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Ravi K.
San Francisco, CA

  (06-09-2009)

"Bay 2 Breakers is one of the most unique races of its kind. There are very few races which match this one in terms of participant excitement, crowd enthusiasam and ofcourse, the most imaginative costumes that you'll ever see!

This year was my repeat participation in the event and, as always, it didn't disappoint. I ran with a fever and a flu, but I told myself that there was no way I was going to miss this race. If you're a serious runner, you can always request for a corral where the serious runners run for timing. I used one of those corrals the last time I ran it, but this time, I did the race purely for its enjoyment and participated in the festivities.

The race course itself is really nice. You hit an uphill around Mile 1 (Hayes St hill) and then it's great all the way. You run the last few miles along the scenic Golden Gate park and finally finish near the ocean for an absolutely fantastic view.

If you haven't done this race, you absolutely have to do this atleast once in your life (if not every year). "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009