Bay to Breakers 2010 - things to see and good viewing points

                   Bay to Breakers race starting line in San Francisco, CA

The 99th running of the Bay To Breakers 12k foot race will take place on Sunday, May 16, 2010 on the streets of San Francisco. It starts at 8:00 am at the Embarcadero (Bay) and goes to the Great Highway at Golden Gate Park at the Pacific Ocean (to Breakers). It is the longest continuous running event in the United States.

However, the 2010 race is a lot more than just runners and walkers.  Rather, the Bay to Breakers is a City event, a celebration with lots of worthy people and things to see. So even if you are not walking or running, there is a lot to see.

Elite Runners - Josh Muxen from the race organizers has managed to bring to San Francisco an unmatched group of elite runners. Last year, Sammy Kitwara (Bib 21) set a 12k world record in winning the men's open division. Lineth Chepkurui (Bib 1) has won the women's open division for the last two years.  They are both back, and in great running shape. Dennis Simonaitis (Bib 38) and his wife Michelle (Bib 15), both nationally outstanding masters' runners (over 40). Dennis and Michelle are probably America's top masters' road racing couple. They are both here to compete and win. 

               Runner in costume at the Bay to Breakers race

Floats - a special group of runners supporting a celebratory float the whole route. That is right, parade quality floats in a running race. Only in San Francisco.

Centipedes - Competitive - 13 or more runners attached together, for the whole course. Two very fine competitive centipede groups are here from Davis, CA. A course record may be in the making.

Centipedes - Big Group - this year an effort is being made to assemble the record for the world's largest centipede - target 2,500 people.

Costumes - San Francisco style, over the top and spectacular to watch and behold. 

           Runners in costume at the Bay to Breakers race

No Costumes - "nuf" said.

Your Neighbors and Friends - who are likely to run across the City to join the celebration.

You can go to the event web site and pull up the course map and line the route and see all this and more, for free.

Here are a few locations to get a good view:

The Starting area (Beale & Howard Streets).  Before the race, the elite athletes are in clear view.  This is a good location to checkout how elite runners prepare for the race.

The Hill - the race course comes up Hayes Street. Try and get near Hayes and Divisadero to see the runners conquer that hill. You know, the first person up the hill in the race gets a special "Hill Prize" of $5,000.

The Park Entrance - Get on Kennedy Drive right near Stanyan. At that point in the race, the runners and walkers will "thin out" and the road racing area into the part widens a bit. Typically this means that it is easier to see and spot your favorites on the course.

The weather should be great, and the organizers get better each year. And then, once you go and watch this year, maybe, just maybe, you will be inspired enough to run or walk for the 2011 event a 100 year celebration.

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