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Bay To Breakers 2011: Final Results, Pictures, Looking Ahead

The 2011 Zazzle Bay To Breakers 12K is in the rear view mirror and the race website has already got the countdown clock going for the 2012 running of the 101st Bay To Breakers 12K race. As of this posting time it's a little over 368 days away. This year's race featured a first-ever alcohol ban, which resulted in a race that while still crazy, was a little more orderly than in years past.

Although the alcohol was somewhat contained this year, that didn't stop folks from putting together some more quality costumes. Folks at twitter were uploading pictures left and right and we also had some quality race video around 4th street in SOMA. For more pictures of the race, head over to the Bay To Breakers flickr account as well as the San Francisco Examiner's slide show.

Oh, and there was also race results worth noting. In some of the more fun results, the fastest Men's human centipede was from LinkedIn, which finished with a time of 37:00. The fastest women's centipede came from the UC Davis Aggies, who finished with a time of 49:06. If you don't recall your history, the UC Davis Aggies track club was the first ever centipede running champion in the 1978 Bay To Breakers race.

You can view all race results HERE. Below is a rundown of the top women and men in this year's race. You can check out all our coverage leading up to the race in our 2011 Zazzle Bay To Breakers Stream. We'll see you next year!

2011 WOMEN'S OPEN FIELD

2011 MEN'S OPEN FIELD

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Zazzle Bay To Breakers 2011: Costume Pictures & YouTube Video

The 2011 Bay To Breakers festivities wrapped up on Sunday and thankfully the Internet provides numerous ways to enjoy some of the finer moments of the madness. Thanks to the power of home videos, we've got footage of an early stretch of the race route South of Market around 4th and Howard. At the bottom I've posted some video that is part of an eight-part series of video shot at this location. A quick YouTube search of Bay To Breakers 2011 will yield the remaining sections of the video.

The video we've provided below is a good cross-section of the race. Part one shows you the world class runners, with the occasional blue Smurf walking by at the bottom of the screen. Part two shows some of the serious but not world class runners, along with some quality costumed folks. Part seven allows you to see the people with no intention of taking this race too seriously.

I'm waiting on some pictures from the race, but Twitter has come through with some solid photos throughout the day. For example, if you were wondering what Manny Pacquiao has been up to since his dominant victory over Shane Mosley, he was clearly using that fight to prep for Bay To Breakers:

It wouldn't be Bay To Breakers without an appearance by Leia and Han Solo:

Given that the weather turned out particularly nice for the race, I guess these folks just qualify as overly-prepared?

When in doubt, bring bacon:

The Ultimate Warrior has reportedly been a little nuts in recent years. Good to see he was calm enough for B2B:

via a.yfrog.com

Bay To Breakers Part 1 of 8

Bay To Breakers Part 2 of 8

Bay To Breakers Part 7 of 8

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2011 Bay To Breakers Results: Moroccan Ridouane Harroufi Claims Title

The 2011 Bay To Breakers 12K race is officially in the books and it was won by a non-Kenyan runner for the first time since 1990. This year Moroccan Ridouane Harroufi won the race with a time of 34:26, edging out Ethiopan runner Direba Merga by three seconds. Merga finished three seconds ahead of Kenyan Allan Kiprono. This group of three finished closed to 40 seconds ahead of the next pack of runners.

Lineth Chepkurui of Kenya finished first among all women for the third straight year. She finished with a time of 39:11 and just barely edged out Mamitu Daska, who finished a mere one second behind Chepkurui.

Bolota Asmerom won the prize for first Bay Area male, as he claimed eighth place overall with a time of 36:44. Magdalena Lewy-Boulet once again won the title of fastest Bay Area female with a time of 41:25.

This first table lists the top fifteen runners overall. The top fifteen runners were all male, so this also counts as the list of top fifteen men. The second table lists the top fifteen females. You can view all results HERE, which allows you to search by name of runner.

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Bay To Breakers 2011: Preliminary Winners And Costumes

While the 2011 Bay To Breakers 12K race continues on through the morning, we already have our winners across the finish line. Ridouane Harroufi finished first among all men and Lineth Chepkurui completed the three-peat as women's champion once again. Harroufi finished in 34:26 and Chepkurui finished with a time of 39:12. That means both were finished before most runners had even crossed the starting line.

Thanks to the power of Twitter, we've got a host of fantastic pictures we can share with you from race-day. It shouldn't be at all surprising that we've got a Charlie Sheen sign spotted in the crowd.

via a.yfrog.com

When I've run the race in the past I don't recall seeing penguins but I'd imagine they have to be a race staple at this point.

via a.yfrog.com

And naturally we had to have a couple folks dressed up in the truly god-awful hats worn by the Fergie's daughters.

We'll be back later in the day and into the coming week with more pictures from the madness that was Bay To Breakers. It's always a classic event so we'll do our best to get as many pictures as possible. And we'll even try to post more results for folks looking to see where they finished among the 55,000 registered runners....assuming you actually finished in one piece.

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Bay To Breakers 2011: A Look Back At 2010 Costume Contest Winners

One of the most entertaining aspects of the annual Bay to Breakers 12K is the variety of entertaining costumes on hand for the race. Even though this year's alcohol ban might have some impact on the crazier costumes, there should still be plenty of interest to generate some quality costumes. One of the incentives to costume up is the annual costume contest held near the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. The contest is co-sponsored by Yelp, and they provided some quality winners this last year.

As we wait for the start of Sunday's 2011 Zazzle Bay To Breakers, I thought we could take a look back at some of the fantastic costumes on display in years past. Yelp rolled out a list of winners from last year's costume contest. They gave out awards for Most Creative, Best Group, Best California Theme, Best Current Event Theme, and Best Green Theme.

We'll hopefully have some quality pictures to post after this year's race and costume contest. In the meantime, here are some costumes from previous Bay to Breakers races. I could try explaining some of these pictures, but it would probably just give me a headache. My favorite of these is probably the pink gorilla mixed in with the serious runners.

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Bay To Breakers 2011: Street Closures And Public Transportation To/From The Race

While the annual running of Bay To Breakers is a great time for the participants, the race itself raises some headaches in regards to transportation to and from the event, as well as street closures to accommodate the event. For the 100th running of the event in 2011, the B2B organizers hhave put together a rundown of street closures surrounding the event. The list below includes streets along the entire course beginning in the Embarcadero, cutting through Hayes Valley, and continuing through Golden Gate Park to the end of the race at The Great Highway.

STREET CLOSURES

Earlier this week we provided a rundown of public transportation options for race day, including BART and MUNI. BART will be running on an expanded timetable. MUNI will be charging $10 for adults ($9 for youth/disabled, $7 for FastPass/Clipper holders) to use the special event sticker they'll have in place for the race. For those looking for other services, the major Bay Area transit options will have a variety of special services:

CalTrain

Golden Gate Ferry

Vallejo Ferry

Alameda Oakland Ferry

Bauer's Luxury Shuttle Service is the official transportation provider for the race. They have provided a few important details for one-way and roundtrip shuttle options.

BAUER'S ONE-WAY SHUTTLE OPTIONS

• From end-of-the-race Footstock to the Start Line: $14
  This express shuttle departs from Footstock and will run from 8:30am to 2:00pm.
• From end-of-the-race Footstock to the Daly City BART Station:  $9
  This express shuttle departs from Footstock and will run from 8:30am to 2:00pm.
• From end-of-the-race Footstock to the 22nd Street Caltrain Station: $11
  This express shuttle departs from Footstock and will run from 8:30am to 2:00pm.

BAUER'S ROUNDTRIP SHUTTLE OPTIONS:

• Emeryville Park & Ride (Emeryville Amtrak Stn): $22
  Before the race the shuttle will pick up from the Emeryville Park & Ride lot at 5:30am and take you to the Start Line. After the race the shuttle will depart from end-of-the-race Footstock at 12:00pm and return to the Emeryville Park & Ride lot.
• Millbrae Park & Ride (Millbrae BART Stn) $22
  Before the race the shuttle will pick up from the Millbrae Park & Ride (BART station at Millbrae Avenue) at 5:30am and take you to the Start Line. After the race the shuttle will depart from end-of-the-race Footstock at 12:00pm and return to the Millbrae Park & Ride lot.
• Mill Valley Park & Ride (Manzanita Parking Lot, Shoreline Hwy): $22
  Before the race the shuttle will pick up from the Mill Valley Park & Ride lot at 5:30am and take you to the Start Line. After the race the shuttle will depart end-of-the-race Footstock at 12:00pm and return to the Mill Valley Park & Ride lot.

ALL BAUER'S PARK & RIDE OPTIONS DEPART FROM NEAR FOOTSTOCK AT 12:00 NOON FOR THE TRIP BACK. THERE IS ONLY THIS ONE DEPARTURE TIME TO EACH OF THESE PARK & RIDE LOCATIONS.

There will also be a special parking rate at the Embarcadero Center. AMPCO System Parking will offer a special $10 rate for registered runners. You simply need to show your race bib when you pay for parking. The four available lots for this deal are 1EC, 2EC, 3EC, and 4EC on the map below:

via www.aeginteractive.com

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Bay To Breakers 2011 Route: SOMA To Hayes Hill To The Great Highway

The 100th running of the Zazzle Bay to Breakers 12K sets off bright and early Sunday morning with the first wave of runners taking off at 7am. We laid out a map of the route earlier this week, and I thought it would be useful to follow up with more specific details of the race. You can follow on the map below.

The race kicks off near the Embarcadero at Beale and Howard. Runners will make their way down Howard Street before turning right at 9th Street. They'll follow 9th across Market and then turn slightly left onto Hayes Street, which leads them up the infamous Hayes Street Hill. At approximately the 2.5 mile mark, runners will climb what is estimated at an 11.15% incline on Hayes between Fillmore and Steiner. The peak of the hill comes near the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square.

Once runners reach the top of Hayes Street Hill they begin a quick descent for a couple blocks before things flatten out for much of the rest of the way. Runners turn left at Popeye's Chicken on Divisadero and I'm sure a few runners will stop by there for some munchies. They then make a quick right onto Fell Street which takes them through the Panhandle and into Golden Gate Park. In GG Park the runners will head along JFK Drive and proceed through the park to the Great Highway right on the ocean front. When runners hit the Great Highway they'll make a sharp left to the finish line.

Upon completion of the race, after grabbing water and the obligatory photo, runners walk down the Great Highway to MLK Drive. They then turn left onto MLK Drive and can follow that all the way back to Footstock. It is approximately a mile and a half walk from the finish line to Footstock and the awaiting public transportation.

via zazzlebaytobreaks.com (PDF)

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Bay To Breakers 2011 Booze Ban: What's The World Coming To?

After years of threats, the organizers of the 2011 Zazzle Bay To Breakers 12K have finally brought down the hammer and banned alcohol from this year's race. In years past the organizers threatened a ban, but there was enough push-back from participants that organizers backed down in the months leading up to the race. Apparently the loss of ING as the title sponsor was enough to convince them to stick to their guns.

ING dropped out after last year's race and one speculated reason was the over-consumption of alcohol. Reports had up to thirty participants taken to the hospital with some kind of alcohol-related issue. This year the race organizers have implemented what they call a zero-tolerance alcohol policy. In the past, folks have had everything from basic flasks to whole floats dedicated to the art of the tiki bar. This year's policy also includes a ban on floats. The discarded floats left a problem for clean-up but I'd imagine this has as much to do with the fact that the floats made it a lot easier to transport kegs and other forms of alcohol through the race.

The police have decided to set up sobriety tents along the route to deal with intoxicated runners. The police recognize the difficulty of trying to arrest what would likely be thousands of drunken folks. This would allow them to sober up people and then send them on their way.

It will be interesting to see how this all works out. Many racers that enjoy the alcohol-related festivities don't seem to really care about the new rules:

"I'm definitely not happy about the new regulations, but I'm not really phased by it. We're just going to do whatever we do anyway," [seven-time race participant Mariza Snyder] said.

I've run Bay to Breakers and I've pushed a shopping cart with a keg through the race route. People will find a way to drink even if they can't get away with pushing kegs in a float or in a shopping cart. People are innovative and I'd imagine they'll find a way to get their alcohol. I'm curious to see how brazen people get with their alcohol given these new rules and how aggressive the police are when it comes to the more open and brazen race participants.

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Bay To Breakers 2011: A Look Back At 2010 Race Results And Course Records

While the Bay To Breakers 12K race has often been known more for costumes, nudity and alcohol, the race itself includes a host of world-class long distance runners. The front-runners include Olympic medalists and Boston and NYC Marathon champions. Additionally, the 55,000 registrants will include a host of amateur runners that simply are looking to best their own 12K times. Although there might be more prestigious races, setting a personal best at Bay To Breakers should carry a certain cache given the chaos through which people are battling.

Last year's race was won by Sammy Kitwara with a time of 34:15. That was just shy of his 2009 course record time of 33:31. Kitwara actually won by the closest of margins as Peter Kirui is also listed with a time of 34:15. Lineth Chepkurui was the first woman to finish at 38:07, which is the course record for women. Among the notable finishes, Scotty Bauhs was the top American man at 35:55 and Magdalena Lewy-Boulet was the top American woman at 41:40. Lewy-Boulet is from Oakland and was thus also the top Bay Area woman. Richie Boulet was the top Bay Area male at 39:08.

Here is a rundown of some course records over the years:

Men's record: 33:31
Sammy Kitwara (Kenya), 2009

Women's record: 38:07
Lineth Chepkurui (Kenya), 2010

Fastest Men's Centipede time: 37:39
Reebok Aggies, 1990

Fastest Women's Centipede time:47:36
Reebok Aggies, 1990

Largest Bay to Breakers: 78,769 runners registered, 110,000 total, 1986

Smallest Bay to Breakers: 25 runners registered, 1963

Ages of youngest and oldest participants:
Robert Rosen, age 1, 2000
Stefan Arcelona, age 99, 2000

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Bay To Breakers History: From The 1906 Earthquake To Streaking To Centipedes

This year's Zazzle Bay To Breakers 12K Foot Race represents the 100th running of a race that has become a San Francisco institution. The race began in 1912 as one of many civic events meant to boost morale after the devastating 1906 earthquake that ravaged the city. The "Cross City Race" was held on January 1, 1912 and included 218 registered runners.

Since then the race has grown to record levels. In 1986, the race reportedly had 110,000 participants and was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records that year as the largest foot race in the world. This year the race includes 55,000 registered runners, but it's safe to say there will be a huge contingent of unregistered runners that join at any point along the race.

One of the more interesting aspects is the centipede division of runners. In 1978, race organizers began handing out prizes for a newly-formed centipede division, first created by the U.C. Davis Aggies Track Club. To qualify as a centipede, the group must consist of at least 13 runners one floater who runs alongside, substituting for runners who lose a shoe, drop off the pace or need to make a pit stop.

The organizers of Bay to Breakers have gone so far as to develop competitive guidelines for centipedes, purported to be adopted by the "International Centipede Congress long, long ago":

1. 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.
2. There is no limit on length of fun runner centipedes.
3. 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.
4. Twinkie feelers on the head of each segment are required.
5. The final segment of each centipede must wear a stinger of appropriate design and toxicity.
6. Each segment must be filled with a registered centipede athlete - each runner must register individually.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. All centipede members must start together, at the start line, as well as cross the finish line with connection intact.

Only in San Francisco....

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Bay To Breakers 2011: World Class Athletes That Will Join The Costumed Chaos

Although the annual running of Bay to Breakers has often been compared to the world's largest keg party, the event has still managed to draw some of the best runners in the world. Much of that is due to the hefty prize money awarded in a variety of categories. I don't have specifics for 2011, but in recent years, they've awarded the first people crossing the finish line, the first male and female to crest Hayes Street Hill, bonuses for record breakers, prizes for the first American man and woman, and numerous other prizes.

This year's race features a host of world class runners looking to make their mark in this 12K race. It doesn't look like two-time defending champion Sammy Kitwara will be taking part this year. If he is in fact not participating this year, we'll have a new male champion:

• American Meb Keflezighi is fresh off a 3rd place finish over 10k in Madrid.  He is the 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the marathon, and 2009 NYC marathon champ.  Meb looks to add to his stellar running resume in his Bay to Breakers debut.
• Lineth Chepkurui from Kenya, defending Battle to the Breakers Champion from 2010, is 23 and is looking to capture her third Bay to Breakers title. Her 2011 campaign includes a victory at the BAA 5k, a runner-up finish at the Crescent City Classic, and a team gold medal at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
• Also making his B2B debut is 2009 Boston Marathon champ Direba Merga. The 28 year old Ethiopian is the 2011 RAK ½ marathon and Yangzhou ½ marathon champion.
• At 25, Misiker Mekonnin Demisse is coming off a big win at Lilac Bloomsday 12k where she surprised the field to become the race's first Ethiopian female champion. She looks to continue her success in the streets of San Francisco.
• From Oakland, CA, Magdalena Lewy-Boulet is the fifth fastest American woman of all time in the marathon, setting the mark in the 2010 Rotterdam Marathon. Magda is also a 2008 Olympian for the US in the marathon.

It looks like we'll see a really competitive race among people actually trying to win. Personally, I'm rooting for an Elvis impersonator to score a huge upset. It hasn't happened yet, but at some point The King will emerge victorious.

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Bay To Breakers 2011: BART, MUNI Expanded Sunday Service Schedule

As a previous participant in Bay to Breakers, one of the the biggest anticipated headaches has been getting back downtown from Golden Gate Park. Thankfully there are numerous transportation options instituted for the entire day. San Francisco MUNI runs expanded service, Bauer's Luxury Shuttle Service is employed as the official transportation provider, and BART even provides expanded service (PDF).

For those that will be using public transportation following the race, it is important to note that MUNI fast passes and Clipper Cards will not be valid for the bus service. There is a special event sticker that is required for the event that involves a higher fare than normal. Adults will pay $10, seniors, youths and disabled pay $9, and all individuals with a valid Muni pass, Passport or pass equivalent will pay $7. If you haven't purchased the special event sticker yet, they will be available in the Polo Grounds following the race.

BART will be operating an expanded service beginning at 5am. Sunday service normally begins around 8am, but with the race starting at 7am, the expanded service is necessary. BART stations will open apprxoimately 20 minutes before the departure of the first trains to allow plenty of time for passengers to buy tickets. Trains running before 8 am will run at 20-minute intervals.

For those looking for other services, the major Bay Area transit options will have a variety of special services:

CalTrain

Golden Gate Ferry

Vallejo Ferry

Alameda Oakland Ferry

There will also be a special parking rate at the Embarcadero Center. AMPCO System Parking will offer a special $10 rate for registered runners. You simply need to show your race bib when you pay for parking. The four available lots for this deal are 1EC, 2EC, 3EC, and 4EC on the map below:

via www.aeginteractive.com

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Zazzle Bay To Breakers 2011: 100th Running Of Drunks, Elvis Impersonators, Naked People...And World-Class Runners

This Sunday May 15, 2011, San Francisco will host the 100th running of its annual 12k Bay To Breakers Race. The race, sponsored by Zazzle is as representative of San Francisco as just about anything. While the race features some of the greatest runners in the world, this footrace is just as much about the spectacle surrounding it. The race will be filled with a mix of costumed and naked participants. It has become tradition that when the race starts, an Elvis impersonator takes the early lead for the first mile or so. Eventually Elvis is surpassed by the world-class runners, but for a few minutes, good humor reigns over the front runners of the race.

One new twist this year is that the race organizers have officially banned alcohol consumption during the race. In years past there have been threats of a dry race, but this is the first year organizers succumbed to the pressure to clean things up. It will still be a crazy event, but the booze will be less free-flowing. The race kicks off at 7am so I wouldn't be surprised if some folks just drank all night leading up to the race.

Even without nearly as much alcohol being consumed, the mix of costumes will remain one of the highlights of Bay to Breakers. Nearly every imaginable costume under the sun will pop up. If you can imagine it, chances are somebody will be dressed accordingly. My favorite tradition is the group of people dressed up as salmon who run the race starting at the finish line and ending at the starting line.

As has become tradition, there will be a costume contest at Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park between 9:30 and 11:30am. When I've run the race in the past, I've usually seen at least five or ten costumes that could easily win this contest. We'll do what we can to provide some pictures of the better costumes on hand at the race.

Make sure and stick with SB Nation Bay Area through the week leading up to Sunday's 100th running of the Bay To Breakers 12K. We'll have details on the course, the events surrounding the race, and of course the results for the folks that are actually curious who will win in the madness.