CENTIPEDE
MAY 18, 2025
San Francisco
Groups of 13 - 15 runners will travel the full 12k course together, linked by a bungee cord, or any other safe mechanism. Groups have the option to run the course competitively or just for fun – see more details below.
Seeded and Sub-Seeded Centipedes will be eligible for awards – for the 12K traditional distance. All centipede groups will still receive all the runner perks.
Centipede Running Championship Rules
Competition guidelines were adopted by the International Centipede Congress long, long ago and are as follows:
• All members must register together as a team.
• A centipede consists of 13 connected individuals and a maximum of two unconnected alternates (floaters).
• All 15 individuals in the centipede must qualify for seeded or sub-seeded status in order to start the race in the seeded or sub-seeded section.
• The last person in each centipede to cross the finish line determines the finishing time for all 13 individuals in the centipede and the official finishing time for that centipede. The floaters of the centipedes, whether or not they finish with the other 13 members, will be treated as individual finishers with their own times.
• There must be 13 CONNECTED FINISHERS in a centipede to win or place.
• (OPTIONAL) The Lenichi Turn is optional for seeded competition.
• (OPTIONAL) Twinkie feelers for the first person in each centipede, but the entire team is encouraged to wear them. You’re way hipper if you wear them!
• (OPTIONAL) The end of each centipede should have a stinger at least six inches in length.
• The centipede must be no more than 60 feet long, allowing at least four feet between leg segments. Prior to the race start, race officials will measure each centipede from nose to stinger.
• Each centipede must consist of at least 13 runners plus one floater who runs alongside, substituting for runners who lose a shoe, drop off the pace or need to make a pit stop.
• There is no limit on length of fun runner centipedes.
• A centipede may be made of any material that an organization, school or club deems appropriate. However, try to keep it light, flexible and well-ventilated. Allow at least four feet between individual leg segments.
• Twinkie feelers on the head of each segment are required.
• The final segment of each centipede must wear a stinger of appropriate design and toxicity.
• Each segment must be filled with a registered centipede athlete – each runner must register individually.
• During the entire competition, all required body segments must be present in the centipede body. If a segment is to be exchanged, the replacement must give the centipede’s official password to exclude unauthorized participants.
• To re-enter the centipede, a displaced runner must catch up with the body and resume his original segment, which the floater has been occupying. The official password and secret acknowledgment must be repeated each time. If the floater makes a permanent substitution, no other substitutions are allowed.
• A Lenichi Turn, a 360-degree turn made famous by two Eastern European centipede runners (Oscar and Igatoo Lenichi) in the 18th century, must be executed at Lindley Meadow in Golden Gate Park just beyond the 6-mile point. The Lenichi Turn must not interfere with other runners.
• All centipede members must start together, at the start line, as well as cross the finish line with connection intact.
CENTIPEDE AWARDS INFO
COMING SOON
What's
Included?
🏅 Finisher's Medal
👕 Event t-shirt
🪩 Finish line festival
💧Water/Aid stations
⏱️Chip-timed results
included for VIPS
🎁 All Mentioned Above +
😎 Vip Area
🌯 Pre-race Meal
🥤Post Race Meal + Beverage
🎒 Gear Check
The VIP add-on is available to add during registration for $99. Be sure to select “VIP” as an add-on option when going through the registration page. Already registered? Visit your ACTIVE MyEvents account, click Purchase merchandise, and add “VIP” to your registration!
CENTIPEDE HISTORY
The Bay to Breakers is the birthplace of the Centipede World Championships.
In 1978 centipede founders and pioneers of running fun, the U.C. Davis Aggies Track Club, were named the first ever World Centipede Running Champions, finishing as a unit 130th overall out of a total of 16,000 race entrants.
Centipedes have been a race staple ever since.
The 2018 race marked the 40th anniversary of the hallowed beginnings of one of the greatest traditions in all of racing. 1978: Centipedes were founded by Dwayne "Peanut" Harms from the men's track team at UC Davis.
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Coming soon
Coming soon
T-shirt
& medal
Be THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THEY DROP.
T-shirt
& medal
Be THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THEY DROP.
T-shirt
& medal
Be THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THEY DROP.
CENTIPEDE MAP
centipede race INFO
If you did not purchase the Breakers Bonus during your initial registration, you can add still add that to your registration.
Log into your MyEvents.ACTIVE.com account, find your race entry, and click the “Purchase merchandise” button to add the Breakers Bonus to your registration.
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Switching from the 15K to the 12K: There is no fee to switch to a shorter distance. To switch, please email us no later than May 9, 2025, at info@baytobreakers.com. There are no refunds for the difference in price between the two distances.
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Switching to the Virtual Run: There is no fee to switch to Virtual. To switch, please email info@baytobreakers.com and we will make the switch for you.
Late Category transfers:
If you miss the May 9, 2025, deadline, you will be able to make the change at the Expo for an administrative charge plus any additional price difference for the longer distance. You must run the race for which you are registered for, or you may be disqualified.
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All race distances start at the intersection of Howard St. & Main St. in downtown San Francisco. The first wave will take off at 8:00am and the last wave at 8:45am.
Finish Line:
1000 Great Highway
San Francisco, CA 94121
Race Extras can be selected during registration. If you did not purchase at the time of registration, log into your MyEvents.ACTIVE.com account, find your race entry, and click the “Purchase merchandise” button to add Race Extras to your registration.
Please note: the deadline to purchase BIB by mail is: April 30th, 2025.
Unfortunately, there is no Gear Check, unless you've purchased the VIP add-on.
VIP can be selected during registration. If you did not purchase at the time of registration, log into your MyEvents.ACTIVE.com account, find your race entry, and click the “Purchase merchandise” button to add VIP to your registration.
VIP available until sold out.
Park - We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservation app.
To reserve your parking spot, visit the Bay to Breakers SpotHero Parking Page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up.
The course will close on race day at 12:30 PM at the intersection of JFK and Chain of Lakes Golden Gate Park. Participants who have not passed this intersection by 12:30 PM will not have the opportunity to cross the Finish Line. The Finish Line closes promptly at 1:00 PM
Yes, you may. If a Centipede team Captain already has an open spot, you can email us with a request, and we can give you details on either deferring your Individual registration to the next year OR transferring it over to someone else.
Please email your request to: info@baytobreakers.com to make the switch no later than May 9th, 2025.
If you miss the May 9th, 2025, deadline, you will be able to make the change at the Expo for an administrative charge plus any additional price difference for the longer distance. You must run the race for which you are registered for, or you may be disqualified.
What is the virtual run?
For those that are unable to join us in San Francisco for the traditional Bay to Breakers event, you can participate in the virtual run. Virtual runners can run a course/route of their choosing and submit proof of their run via our submission link to get credit for completing the Bay to Breakers event.
What distances are offered for the Virtual Run?
The virtual run is offered for the 12K and 15K(12K + 3K).
How does it work?
Virtual runners can plan their own course/route and run either the 12K (7.45 miles) or 15K(9.32 miles) distance on their own. Submit the proof of your run via our submission link and you will receive your race packet mailed to you after the fact. Race proof can be:
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Photo proof of your tracking device showing the date and distance
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Link to Garmin, MapMyRun, Nikeplus, RunKeeper, Runtastic or Strava tracking
I am participating in the Golden State Challenge. Will the virtual race qualify me to keep my status?
Yes! Participating as a virtual runner will qualify you for the Golden State Challenge.
Do I need to register as a virtual runner?
Yes. All those participating in the virtual run must be registered in the 12K Virtual Runner race category. If you're not yet registered, look for the Virtual race option at the bottom of the registration form to select your distance.
If you're registered for the in-person race, you can switch to the virtual race. Participants can email info@baytobreakers.com with a request to change your race to the virtual event at no charge.
The deadline to be switched to a virtual runner is May 18, 2025.
Do I need to pick up my race packet?
No. Virtual runners are NOT able to pick up their race packets at the Race Expo. Race packets will be mailed to virtual runners after they have submitted their race results via the submission link.
When can I run my virtual race?
You may complete your virtual race prior to May 18th, but you will need to submit your proof of finish when the Virtual Submission Link goes live around on Race Weekend.
Where can I submit my virtual race proof?
A submission link will be emailed to all virtual runners on Saturday before the race. You can submit your proof via the Submission Link. The deadline to submit race proof is June 15th. If you haven't received the email with instructions, please email us: info@baytobreakers.com and we will get it to you as soon as we can, which might be when we get back in from the race.
When can I expect to receive my race packet?
Race packets will be mailed out within 2–4 weeks of the 2025 submission date, June 15th. You will receive an email notification with tracking information as soon as your race packet is ready to ship. You must submit your virtual race proof to receive your race packet.
What can I expect in my race packet?
You will receive the same race goodies as our in-person participants. You will receive your race bib, official race shirt, and your finisher medal.
Are Virtual Results Published?
Virtual race results will not be included in the Official Results.
Are International Participants Allowed?
Unfortunately, not at this time. This event is open to residents of the U.S. only, and medals may only be shipped to addresses within this region.
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Contact US: info@baytobreakers.com
OFFICIAL PARTNERS
