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Bay to Breakers 2010 race results and photo slideshow

Nancy Lancaster's photo
Sacramento Running Examiner

Spectators dressed in custom watch runners at Bay to Breakers race on Sunday in San Francisco

Some see it as a serious and coveted road race that brings $25,000 in prize money.  Others see it as the world's biggest street party.  Either way, the 99th annual Bay to Breakers race on Sunday was a event of enormous proportions that was enjoyed by more than 70,000 people on the streets of San Francisco, CA. 

As the elite runner's warmed up near the starting line, runners farther back kept busy by throwing the traditional corn tortillas and beach balls into the air.  Cooler temperatures in the 50's didn't detract from the fun as scantly clad runners and walkers kept a faster pace to keep warm.

Participants provide the entertainment for the Spectators, but the Participants were also entertained by the Spectators.  Not only did the runners dress up in costume, but so did the people viewing along the race course.   Countless parties with live music, free flowing alcohol, food and other goodies were hosted by the Spectators along the course.  

The Serious
World class athletes competed at Sunday's race.  On Sunday, Lineth Chepkurui of Kenya finished in 38:07 in the Woman's Division and beat her own world record that she smashed at the Bloomsday race earlier this year.

Sammy Kitwara, also from Kenya, finished first in the Men's Division in 34:15.  Sammy placed first in the 2009 Bay to Breakers race after tieing the worlds best 12K Men's record.

The Silly
Every year, a repeated costume theme emerges, usually from a current event or popular movie.  Last year there were several "Octa-Mom" costumes poking fun at Nadya Suleman who had made history in 2009 when she gave birth to 8 babies.  This year, the most popular costumes had themes from the movie Avatar.  The Avatar character, Jake Sully, was even on hand at the start of the race and warmed up with the elite athletes.

The Stupid
Some of the same problems that plagued earlier races repeated again this year.  However, many remarked that the incidences were fewer and farther between.  One of the race's biggest problems are the race "Bandits" who enter the race course without paying.  Only about 30,000 people registered for the race, and an estimated 60-70,000 or more participated in one form or another. 

Sometimes its hard to tell the runners from the spectators.  Regardless, the race has lost money the last two years, and race organizers said they would break even if only 50,0000 people registered.  The  race organizers changed the location of the after race party, Footstock, this year and moved it along Martin Luther King Boulevard as a cost saving measure. 

Nancy Lancaster is a Sacramento run-walker and organizer of the Running Adventures Travel Club and Five Tool Fitness Running Club. She is also a Realtor for Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, CA.  You can email Nancy at nancy@nancylancaster.com

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Slideshow: Bay to Breakers 2010 Photo Slideshow

20 photos

Slideshow: Bay to Breakers 2010 Photo Slideshow

, Sacramento Running Examiner

Nancy has participated in over thirty running events, including eight marathons. She wants to share her insights so local runners can make informed choices about local running events, training clubs, and running stores.

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