Lace up those running shoes and grab a granola bar because it’s time for SF’s annual Salomon Across The Bay 12k & 5K run. The run, which takes place on August 28th, has 12k and 5k options which both offer breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay and the surrounding area.
The 12K race takes runners from historic Fort Baker in the Marin Headlands, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and onto the Presidio waterfront before finishing at SF’s Aquatic Park. The 5K run follows the waterfront from Crissy Field to Aquatic Park. Across The Bay is open to all runners but participants must maintain a minimum pace of 18:20 per mile.
The race was started in 1984 by Dave Rhody and was originally called ‘Houlihan’s to Houlihan’s 8-Mile Bay Race.’ The name is a reference to the race’s original route between Houlihan’s restaurant at Fisherman’s Wharf in SF and Houlihan’s restaurant in Sausalito, CA.
“Our course maps were hand-drawn, the tear-off entry forms on the bottom of our 8½ x 11 flyers looked like checkerboards and the entry fee was $10 which included a ‘finisher t-shirt, fresh fruit at the finish line and a free beer at the Houlihan’s post-race party,” Rhody told Run Local Events.
A lot has changed since those early days, including a name change and flipping the route to finish in SF rather than Sausalito. The spirit of the event endures and remains a popular race for runners across the region.
Across the Bay is sponsored by Saloman and presented by REI, who will be providing race packets and special discounts to runners at their San Francisco and San Jose stores. Proceeds from the race support the Edgewood Center for Children & Families’ mental health program. Edgewood has been serving youth and families in the Bay Area since 1851.
The registration for both 12K and 5K races closes on August 27th. Learn more at Across The Bay 12K
Featured image: @runlocalevents via Instagram