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Bay to Breakers
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Jump to: navigation, searchBay to Breakers
Date and locationThird Sunday in MaySan Francisco, CA
Race typeRoad
Distance12km
Established1912
Official sitehttp://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]Contents
[hide]
1 History
1.1 Centipedes
2 Course
3 Men's winners
4 Women's winners
5 Men's centipede winners
6 Women's centipede winners
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
[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)
Many of the participants dress up in costume, some of which show
off varying degrees of nudity.
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]
HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_to_Breakers" \l
"cite_note-2" [3]
HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_to_Breakers" \l
"cite_note-3" [4] In 1965, the name of the race was changed to Bay
to Breakers.[5]
HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_to_Breakers" \l
"cite_note-5" [6]
HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_to_Breakers" \l
"cite_note-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 Men's Centipede winner's time in 2008 was below
the Women's course record. Bay to Breakers is the official site of
the World Centipede Running Championships.[16][edit] Course
The Bay to Breakers course
The initial course started at the Ferry Building along Market
Street to Golden Gate Avenue before turning onto Divisadero
Street.[2] In 1968, the start was moved from Market Street to
Howard Street and the ascension to Divisadero moved to Hayes
Street.[17] In 1983, the course was shortened from 7.51 miles to an
official 12K (7.46 miles).[18] 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
DATENAMECOUNTRYWINNING TIME
May 17, 2009Sammy KitwaraKenya33:31WR?
May 18, 2008John Kipsang KorirKenya34:24
May 16, 1993Ismael KiruiKenya33:42
January 1, 1912Robert Jackson VlughtUSA44:10
WR? - Bay to Breakers race organizers reported that this was the
fastest 12km ever run[19]. 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.[20]
[edit] Women's winners
DATENAMECOUNTRYWINNING TIME
May 17, 2009Teyba ErkessoEthiopia38:29
May 18, 2008Lineth ChepkuruiKenya39:20
May 15, 2005Asmae LeghzaouiMorocco38:22*
May 23, 1971Frances ConleyUSA50:45
*current course record[19]
[edit] Men's centipede winners
DATETEAMCOUNTRYWINNING TIME
May 18, 2008ASICS Aggies MenUnited States38:05[9]
[edit] Women's centipede winners
DATETEAMCOUNTRYWINNING TIME
May 18, 2008ASICS Aggies WomenUnited States47:47[9]
[edit] See also
List of annual foot races in California
[edit] References
1. ^ "General Information". ING Bay to Breakers. 2006.
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/race_information/generalinformation.html.
Retrieved 2007-09-09.
2. ^ a b http://www.sfgenealogy.com/sf/history/hgoe73.htm
3. ^ Some references list his last name as "Viught"
4. ^
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/facts_figures_noteworthy_years.pdf
5. ^
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/content.php?section=race_information&page=history
6. ^ http://www.arrs.net/HP_BtB12.htm
7. ^
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Bay_to_Breakers__Out_of_the_ashes_a_famous_race_is_born.htm
notes name change in 1963
8. ^
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/facts_figures_noteworthy_years.pdf
9. ^ a b c
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/Race%20Results%20Release.pdf
10. ^ Breakers to Bay Salmon Run!
11. ^ a b SF Chronicle: Beer, Nudity Banned in Bay to
Breakers
12. ^ SF Examiner: Bay to Breakers Jumps on Wagon
13. ^ [1]
14. ^ [2]
15. ^
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/facts_figures_noteworthy_years.pdf
16. ^
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/facts_figures_noteworthy_years.pdf
17. ^
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/content.php?section=other&page=chip
18. ^
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/pdfs/facts_figures_noteworthy_years.pdf
19. ^ a b
http://www.baytobreakers.com/content.php?section=race_information&page=history
20. ^ http://www.arrs.net/HP_ArF12.htm
[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
[show]
vdeSan Francisco attractions
[show]
Landmarks
49-Mile Drive Alcatraz Bay Bridge Cable Cars The Castro
Chinatown City Hall Cliff House Coit Tower F-Market Streetcar
Fairmont Hotel Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco San Francisco
Ferry Building Fisherman's Wharf Fort Mason Fort Point Ghirardelli
Square Golden Gate Bridge Grace Cathedral Haight-Ashbury Lombard
Street Mission Dolores Nob Hill North Beach Old U.S. Mint Painted
Ladies Palace of Fine Arts Pier 39 San Francisco Public Library
Transamerica Pyramid Treasure Island Union Square
[show]
Museums
Asian Art Museum Aquarium of the Bay Cable Car Museum California
Academy of Sciences Palace of the Legion of Honor Cartoon Art
Museum Chinese Historical Society Museum Conservatory of Flowers
Contemporary Jewish Museum de Young Museum Exploratorium
Haas-Lilienthal House International Museum of Women Muse Mcanique
Museum of Performance & Design Museum of the African Diaspora
Randall Museum Ripley's Believe It or Not! SFMOMA San Francisco
Maritime San Francisco Railway Museum USS Pampanito Wattis
Institute for Contemporary Arts Zeum
[show]
Recreation & parks
Alamo Square Candlestick Point Crissy Field Dolores Park
Farallon Islands Glen Canyon Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Golden Gate Park Lake Merced Ocean Beach The Presidio San Francisco
Zoo Stern Grove Yerba Buena Gardens
[show]
Entertainment
American Conservatory Theater Bill Graham Civic Auditorium The
Fillmore Festivals & fairs War Memorial and Performing Arts
Center Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
[show]
Higher education
UCSF UC Hastings San Francisco State University of San Francisco
City College of San Francisco
[show]
Sports
San Francisco 49ers San Francisco Giants AT&T Park Cow
Palace Candlestick Park Kezar Stadium Bay to Breakers
[show]
Food & drink
Anchor Steam Boudin Bakery Cioppino Dungeness crab Ghirardelli
IT'S-IT Ice Cream Mission burrito Rice-A-Roni Sourdough bread Top
of the Mark
[show]
Commerce
Bechtel Charles Schwab Gap McKesson PG&E Stonestown Galleria
Wells Fargo Westfield San Francisco Centre
Retrieved from
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_to_Breakers"
Categories: Clothing optional events | Culture of San Francisco,
California | Festivals in the San Francisco Bay Area | Foot races
in California | Long-distance races | Sports in San Francisco,
California | Recurring events established in 1912 | Festivals in
CaliforniaHidden categories: Articles needing additional references
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