San Francisco's iconic Bay to Breakers race returns for 1st time since pandemic began

ByRyan Curry KGO logo

Sunday, May 15, 2022

SF's iconic Bay to Breakers race returns after pandemic hiatus

San Francisco's one-of-a-kind tradition, the Bay to Breakers race returned to the city Sunday for the first time since 2019.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco's one-of-a-kind tradition, the Bay to Breakers race returned to the city Sunday for the first time since 2019.

Runners in eccentric costumes joined the fun that kicked off at 8 a.m. on Main and Howard streets near the Embarcadero.

The 12 kilometer course finishes at Ocean Beach.

"It is like a special kind of energy. I haven't felt this in a couple years so it was really fun," said runner Tony Coker. "You wont get a run like this ever so I figured I would try it, and it was definitely worth it. I will be doing it next year."

"It was hot in this. I took it off. I was smart I took it off," said Kenny Osele, who was sporting a full-on cow suit. "At some I was running with a pack of waldos. They were chained together and they were pushing me, they were fast."

Non-binary runners will now receive awards at the race, that's according to SF Gate.

The paper had previously reported the company that puts on the race was not going to issue awards.

Organizers told SF Gate, "It's important we acknowledge that we made a large oversight in our awards plan."

There will be a lot of road closures Sunday. Organizers say only north-south crossover points are the Embarcadero and Howard Street and crossover drive in Golden Gate Park.