Bay to Breakers is San Francisco’s cross-city race: from the bay downtown, across the city and along JFK Drive through Golden Gate Park, to the breakers at Ocean Beach. It is famous for its centipedes as much as for its runners. The 2027 race is on Sunday 16 May, and registration is open.
Courses and prices
| Entry | What it is | Price now | Next step | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12K | 7.45 miles, downtown to the Great Highway | $65 | $69 | $109 |
| 15K Breakers Bonus | The 12K plus 3K along the Great Highway | $76 | $80 | $121 |
| Centipede | Team of 13 tied together, plus up to 2 alternates | $712 | $740 | $959 |
Prices are the organizer’s as of 17 September 2026 and include processing fees. All registration fees are non-refundable, including if the race is cancelled for an emergency. There is no gear check unless you buy the VIP add-on.
Race day
The start is at Howard and Fremont Streets, with the first wave at 8:00am and the last at 8:45am. Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before your start. The 12K finishes on the Great Highway, and the Finish Festival runs from 8am to 1pm at 2100 Martin Luther King Jr Drive in Golden Gate Park.
The cut-off matters for walkers: you need to pass JFK Drive and Chain of Lakes by 12:30pm, and the finish line closes at 1pm.
The rules people get wrong
- Alcohol: not allowed. Alcohol and drugs are confiscated and the person is removed and may be arrested.
- Bags: clear bags only, no bigger than 8.5 × 11 × 4 inches. No backpacks or hydration packs.
- Wheels and dogs: no strollers, baby joggers, skateboards, roller blades or unauthorised bikes, and no dogs.
- Children: anyone three or older must register; two and under are free.
The organizer’s current site says nothing either way about floats or nudity, so we do not repeat the rules that circulate about them.
Getting there
Embarcadero BART is two blocks from the start. For the 2026 race the organizer sold round-trip shuttles from Millbrae, Emeryville and Mill Valley and post-race shuttles from the Great Highway at Fulton, and drop-offs were only allowed on the Embarcadero. The 2027 transport page will follow nearer the date.
Packet pickup and the expo are at Stonestown Galleria from Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 May 2027.
Checked against baytobreakers.com (race, course, schedule and getting-there pages) and the organizer’s help centre on 17 September 2026.
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Read the guide →Questions people ask about Bay to Breakers 2027: Date, Course, Prices and Rules
When is Bay to Breakers 2027?
Sunday 16 May 2027. Registration for the 12K, the 15K and centipede teams is open, and prices rise in three steps.
How long is Bay to Breakers?
The classic race is 12 kilometres, 7.45 miles, from downtown to Ocean Beach. The 15K Breakers Bonus adds 3 kilometres along the Great Highway, and can be added to a 12K entry for $15.
Can you drink at Bay to Breakers?
No. The organizer’s answer is “absolutely not”: alcohol and drugs are confiscated, and the person is removed from the course and may be arrested.
Can you bring a stroller or a dog?
No. Strollers, baby joggers, skateboards, roller blades, unauthorised bikes and other wheeled devices are banned on the course, and so are dogs. Children aged three and over must be registered; two and under are free.
What is a Bay to Breakers centipede?
A team of 13 runners tied together, by bungee cord or something similarly safe, no more than 60 feet long, with the leader wearing feelers and the last runner a stinger. Up to two alternates can run unconnected.