One of the most iconic events of the year will take over San Francisco this weekend. The city is gearing up for yet another lively rendition of Bay to Breakers. This wild, energetic footrace through SF’s most iconic neighborhoods has been a local staple for over 100 years and just keeps getting better. Get ready to run, walk, or dance your way to the finish line while enjoying live music along the route and plenty of unforgettable costumes. The race will kick off at 8 am this Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Bay to Breakers 2025
Bay to Breakers begins at Main Street and Howard in the Financial District, cruising through Yerba Buena, Civic Center, the Lower Haight, the Panhandle, and Golden Gate Park before finishing at the Great Highway along Ocean Beach. Serious runners and casual walkers alike usually arrive in costume, making for a hilarious and heartwarming spectacle throughout the city. Thousands will turn out to cheer on the participants, and we can expect some great bands and live entertainment along the route.
Race registration costs $99.00 for the 12k and includes a finisher’s medal, t-shirt, chip-timed results, water/aid stations, and the finish line festival. While the race is only a few days away, you can still register if you want to participate.
You can also add an extra 3K to your race via the “Breaker Bonus,” which comes with a bonus medal and a free beer. If you want to participate in a large, tethered group (fondly called a centipede), the registration is $ 1050 for 13-15 people.
Plus, the race is pretty spectacular to experience as a spectator. Many people show up to cheer on runners and join the festivities from the sidelines. Although it’s technically a race, Bay to Breakers is really more like a giant mobile party. Both participants and spectators turn out in droves for the music, festivities, and day drinking. So even if you aren’t a runner, it’s a beloved SF event for a reason. Grab some of your friends, pick out your wackiest outfits or favorite costume, and run, walk, or dance your way through the city.
History of Bay to Breakers
Bay to Breakers began in 1912 as a way to raise the spirits of San Franciscans as they continued to rebuild following the 1906 earthquake. As such, it’s one of the world’s oldest footraces and has even held the record as the world’s largest footrace for 24 years. In 1986, over 110,000 people participated as a result of the running boom of the ’70s and ’80s.
Although the race began as a serious athletic competition, the kooky costume element came into the picture in the ’80s. There will also be plenty of nudity at the race, as we are, in fact, in San Francisco. The “centipede” running groups, in which runners complete the course tethered together, began in 1978 as the brainchild of UC Davis runner Douglas L. Peck. Bay to Breakers is now the official site of the World Centipede Running Championships.
Learn more about Bay to Breakers here.