California · 12K (also a 15K option)
Bay to Breakers
Bay to Breakers is a 12K (also a 15K option) event held in San Francisco, California. Its next confirmed date is Sunday, May 16, 2027. About 30,000 runners take part across all distances.
- Race day
- May 16, 2027
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
- Field size
- ~30,000 runners
Race details
- Date
- Sunday, May 16, 2027
- Location
- San Francisco, California
- Distances
- 12K (also a 15K option)
- Field size
- About 30,000 runners
- Course
- Rolling hills (notable Hayes Street Hill climb)
- Registration
- baytobreakers.com
Registration, course & weather
- Registration status
- Open
- Start time
- 8:00 AM PDT
- Course profile
- Point-to-point course; Road surface
- Typical race-day weather
- about 50°F at the start, 81% humidity, 34 mph wind (based on the 2026 race day, measured near the city center rather than the exact start line; Open-Meteo, checked October 2, 2026)
About the Bay to Breakers
San Francisco's legendary 12K from the bay to the Pacific breakers, famous for tens of thousands of costumed runners and a party atmosphere. It is one of the largest and oldest road races in the United States.
Rankings and notes
- Rankings and awards
- One of the world's oldest consecutively run footraces (since 1912); once held the Guinness record as the world's largest footrace; iconic costumed, festival-style event
More races in San Francisco
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RunThrough San Francisco at Crissy Field 5k, 100k & Half MarathonSan Francisco, CAHalf Marathon10K5K
More upcoming races in California
-
Dia De Los Muertos Half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk (Bakersfield)Bakersfield, CAHalf Marathon5K2 Mile Speed Walk
Keep exploring
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Guides from the RaceRove blog
- 8 min read How to Choose the Best Half Marathon for a PR, Racecation or 50-State Challenge The best half marathon depends on what you want from it. How to choose a course for a personal record, a race worth travelling for, or an efficient stop on a 50-state challenge.
- 4 min read Diplo's Run Club 2026-27: Every City, Date and Course Diplo's Run Club is a 5K with a post-race concert. Every US date for 2026-27 (San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix), start times and courses.
- 8 min read How to Choose Your First Marathon A practical checklist for choosing a first marathon based on course, weather, cutoff, travel, field size and support.
- Blog All guides Planning advice for finding, choosing and travelling to races.
Bay to Breakers: common questions
- When is the Bay to Breakers?
- The next confirmed date is Sunday, May 16, 2027.
- Where is the Bay to Breakers held?
- In San Francisco, California.
- What distances does the Bay to Breakers offer?
- 12K (also a 15K option).
- How many people run the Bay to Breakers?
- About 30,000 runners across all of its distances. That figure is an estimate of the field size, not an entry cap.
- How do I register for the Bay to Breakers?
- Registration is handled by the organiser at baytobreakers.com. Entry fees, caps and deadlines are set there.
- Is registration open for the Bay to Breakers?
- Yes — registration is open. $65 (from baytobreakers.com, checked October 2, 2026).
- What time does the Bay to Breakers start?
- 8:00 AM PDT.
- What is the course like at the Bay to Breakers?
- Point-to-point course; Road surface.
- What is race-day weather usually like at the Bay to Breakers?
- about 50°F at the start, 81% humidity, 34 mph wind (based on the 2026 race day, measured near the city center rather than the exact start line; Open-Meteo, checked October 2, 2026).
Plan this race in RaceRove
Save it to your plan, compare it with other races, check typical race-day weather and track your 50-state progress in the interactive app.