Bay To Breakers History

At 5:13am on April 18, 1906, a devastating earthquake - destined to become one of history's most notorious natural disasters - rocked San Francisco. The subsequent fire and destruction were unimaginable, and many feared the City would never fully recover. But San Franciscans, displaying their typical fortitude and innovation, immediately began rebuilding the city and orchestrating events to lift their morale. One of those events, the Cross City Race - better known today as Bay to Breakers - was first run in 1912 as a precursor to the world-class athletic events planned for the 1915 Pan Pacific International Exposition. There were less than 200 participants in 1912, and Robert Jackson Vlught, a St. Mary's college student, was the first runner to cross the finish line, with a time of 44:10.

Since then, Bay to Breakers has prevailed as a testament to San Francisco's uniqueness and audacity. Each year the race is a glorious celebration of the human spirit - a giant wave of athleticism, fun, frivolity, and determination flowing across the City from the bay to the ocean. It is one of the largest footraces in the world with 65,000 + participants and 100,000 + spectators annually. As the race grew in size it even set a Guinness Book record, with 110,000 participants in 1986. The course is challenging and beautiful, and consistently attracts world class competitors. (The 2009 race was won by Kenyan Sammy Kitwara in a world record breaking time of 33:31) But it isn't just a race for the serious runner.

In the true spirit of San Francisco the race is a celebration for everyone. Thousands of costumed participants join with families, and weekend runners and walkers. As they make their way through the heart of San Francisco, energized by continuous bursts of live music, they are cheered on by thousands of spectators lining the route. They also have to dodge the "spawning salmon" which each year make their way from the Finish line, back through the masses, to the Start.

Throughout its long history Bay to Breakers has been a showcase for the City's irrepressible color and its affection for eclectic traditions. Although runners come from across the country and around the globe, the race is still a quintessential San Francisco experience and a true reflection of life between the breakers and the Bay.

Highlights of Breakers History

  • April 18, 1906 - A massive earthquake devastates San Francisco.
  • January 1, 1912 - SF City fathers decide something needs to be done to boost morale and promote the image of the recovering city. They hold the first annual Cross City Race, and college student Bobby Vlught crosses the finish line with a time of 44:10.
  • 1928: The Cross City Race moves to the last Sunday in January (and has been held on a Sunday ever since).
  • 1940: The first female runner, Bobbie Burke, participates disguised as a man. Her descendents still run the race today.
  • 1949: First year the race was held in May.
  • 1963: The smallest Cross City on record, with only 25 registered runners.
  • 1964: In its 53rd year the race is dubbed the Bay to Breakers.
  • 1971: With a finishing time of 50:45, Frances Conley becomes the first official winner in the Women's Division.
  • 1974: Maryetta Boitano, aged 10, becomes the youngest winner in the history of the race.
    She also set the fastest women's finishing time at 43:22. She went on to win the Women's Division in 1975 and 1976.
  • 1986: With 78,769 registered runners and 110,000 total participants, the Guinness Book of World Records awards Bay to Breakers the title of World's Largest Footrace.
  • 1990: The Reebok Aggies set the men's centipede record with a time of 37:39.
  • 1990: The Reebok Aggies set the women's centipede record with a time of 47:36.
  • 1993: From 1993 to 1996, Bay to Breakers was the first official 12K National Championship recognized by the USA Track & Field Association.
  • 1994: American runners are able to use their Bay to Breakers finishing times to meet the standard required for entry into the Olympic trials.
  • 2005: With a finishing time of 38:22, Asmae Leghzaoui (Morocco) sets a new women's world record and bests the course record, set by Delillah Asiago (Kenya) in 1995, by one second.
  • 2006: Race organizers institute an equalizer, starting the elite women athletes ahead of the men, based on the average difference between each division's course records.
  • 2007: As a result of the equalizer started the year before, Edna Kiplagat becomes the first female elite in Breakers history to cross the finish line ahead of the men.
  • 2009: Sammy Kitwara of Kenya ties the world’s fastest time ever for 12k and sets a new course record with a time of 33:31.
  • As of 2009, 2.2 million people have participated in the race since 1912.