Description of ING Bay to Breakers 2010

The ING Bay to Breakers race takes place on the third Sunday of May which, this year, is on May 16. The race starts at 8:00a and the finish line closes at noon (when the Great Highway reopens for car traffic).

There's been considerable controversy over new rules proposed for the 2009 event regarding alcohol consumption, nudity, and floats. A compromise was reached in which everyone ignored. There will be copious alcohol consumption, nudity beyond your imagination, and floats...many carrying the alcohol which will be consumed. You WILL be hit by a flying Tortilla (I guarantee it). So be open minded and bring with you your sense of humor or costume or go naked...we won't judge (well we will but if your naked you could probably care less)

1. Bay to Breakers Official Website
2. Map of Bay to Breakers Race Course 2010 and General information
3. Runner & Registration Information
4. ING Footstock at Golden Gate Park
5. Bay to Breakers FAQ


Bay to Breakers Race Course 2010:

The race begins at the Bay (Embarcadero area) and traverses 12K (7.46 miles) across San Francisco, to the breakers of the Pacific Ocean and the Great Highway. The Bay to Breakers course begins at sea level, climbs to 215 feet above sea level (on the Hayes Street hill), then winds a less arduous course through Golden Gate Park.


Runners & Walkers:

Participants pay a fee to race, to run or walk in costume, and to be a part of the general B2B party. The race culminates at Footstock in Golden Gate Park, with live music, a costume contest, food and beer gardens.


Breakers to Bay Upstream Salmon:

Racers moving in the proper direction will encounter the Breakers to Bay “Upstream” Salmon who every year run the race in reverse . . . as salmon would do.

Breakers Centipedes:

ING Bay to Breakers is also the official site of the World Centipede Running Championships. Centipedes are teams of 13 racing as one long centipede (60 feet long).

Spectators at Bay to Breakers:

Spectators line the Bay to Breakers course, with the most crowded spots being the start and finish areas. The race often draws more than 100,000 viewers along the sidelines.

Southwest Airlines Costume Contest:

Southwest Airlines, a sponsor of Bay to Breakers, gives out travel prizes for the best costumes in individual and centipede categories. The only entry requirement is participation in the race. If you raced, you’re eligible. The contest happens at the Golden Gate Park polo field, after the race.

ING Footstock 2010:

ING Footstock is the celebration party associated with Bay to Breakers. It all takes place on the polo field at Golden Gate Park from 9:30a to 2:00p. There are live bands, food vendors, beer gardens, and events like the costume contest and the awards ceremony. Headliners at this year's Footstock: The Last Goodnight.



Additional Bay to Breakers Information:
ING Greater Body Expo

The two-day Greater Body Expo is free, open to the public, and features speakers, exhibits and vendors on the topics of health and fitness. Last-minute runners and walkers can also register for the race at the Body Expo.

* Friday, May 14, 2009: 11:00a to 7:00p
* Saturday, May 15, 2009: 9:00a to 7:00p


Bay to Breakers History

The ING Bay to Breakers race turns 99 in 2010. What began as San Francisco’s “Cross City Race” in 1912, evolved into one of the largest foot races in the world. Bay to Breakers broke a Guinness record in 1986 by registering 110,000 participants. Most years, the participant count is between 60,000 and 90,000.

Info On Aquatic Park

Aquatic Park is a small lagoon nestled between Fort Mason and Fishermen's Warf.  It nearly encircled by two piers with a small opening out to the Bay.

In the west end of Aquatic Park is Fort Mason.  On the East end are the Dolphin Club and the South End Rowing Club.  Aquatic Park sits right behind the Maritime Museum (that white ship-like building) with bleachers and then stairs leading down into the water.

The water temperatures range between 53 and 62 degrees.  However, it can drop as low as sub-50.  It is up to you whether or not you want to use a wetsuit, but I (as a cold water wimp) recommend it.  The water can be smooth as glass or it can be rough with white caps.  You may even see an occasional sea lion swimming next to you.

The best place to enter Aquatic Park is the east end of the beach right next to the Dolphin Club.  Watch out for sharp objects in the sand.  Aquatic Park is the perfect place in the city to practice your open water skills.  It is also the end point for the swim leg of various local triathlons.  It is also getting a lot more popular, so you often will have company - including some of the non-wetsuit wearing denizens from the Dolphin Club and/or South End Rowing Club.

Swimming

While you can basically swim wherever you want, there are generally two options available to swimmers at Aquatic Park. 

Buoy Line - Running parallel with the shore are multiple buoys.  You can do laps around these buoys with an approximate distance of 0.35 mile for the full lap (out and back).  If you start at the black ship on the east end of the lagoon and swim to the last buoy and back, you can almost get a half mile.

Perimeter- The other option, and one that is less boring, is to swim the buoy line then angle towards to western fishing pier .  Swim along the pier (watch out for fishermen lines) to the end.  Here, you can cross the opening or, on calm days, you can venture outside the opening a bit a view the GG Bridge, Alcatraz and the bay.  BE CAREFUL! Know your tides - they can be very fast and can easily pull you past the opening of the park. Cross the opening and swim to the ships moored along the eastern edge. Swim along these to teh last black ship, trun and go back to where you started.  That should get you just under a mile.

Getting there

Driving - There are two good ways to get to Aquatic Park by driving are either along Bay street to where it dead-ends in front of the east end of Aquatic Park.  Also, one can take Van Ness north to continue down Van Ness to where it dead-ends next to Fort Mason on the west-end of Aquatic Park.

Public Transportation - The new E-line of Muni will drop you off at Fishermen's Warf and you can walk a bit.  There are also various buses that end up where Van Ness dead-ends into the back-side of Fort Mason.

Parking- This can be tricky. At the end of Bay, there are some parking spaces, but they are hard to come by.  Be careful when you park here because some are reserved for park personnel.  Also, meters are almost always enforced - starting at 7:00 am seven days a week.  So bring quarters.  As an alternative, you can park along Van Ness next to Fort Mason.  There are many more spaces and they are free for four hours.  Unfortunately, you have to walk a bit.  Other than that, try to find something along the side street, but it is a tourist area so allow for plenty of time.

Changing Clothes

At Car - I almost always change at my car.  At a minimum, my swim suit is on and I carry my wetsuit to the benches next to the Dolphin Club. You can access the Dolphin Club or South End Rowing Club for a day fee - I believe its $6.50 - but please call ahead to confirm times and rules.

Facilities - There are two public restroom around Aquatic Park.  One next to the public/outdoor shower near the Dolphin Club.  The other is at the beginning of the path leading from the parking spaces next to Fort Mason on the western end.  My general experience is that these open late and close early and aren't the most fun place to walk around barefoot.

Gear

Again, I recommend a wetsuit.  They will keep you warm and give added buoyancy.  Many purists believe that you aren't bay swimming if you use a wetsuit. 

wetsuit..

Along with the wetsuit, I recommend a cold water cap.  These are usually neoprene and do a fantastic job of slowing heat loss through your head. 

Of course, bring your goggles.  The water is cold and salt water.  In early morning and late afternoon, the sun can cause a strong glare, so you may want a mirrored or darker lens. Also, if cold water hurts your ears, wear ear plugs.

I also suggest bringing a bag in which to store your wet wetsuit after your swim.  I use a plain white garbage bag. Also bring a towel or two.  You will want to dry off and may want one to stand on while you are doing so so that sand does not get all over your feet.


Where To Store Your Gear

Its sad to say, but if you don't want your things disappearing during the swim and unless you have someone watching over your gear, leave as much as possible in your car.   Just bring with you what won't make you cry if the local street residents pinch it while you are swimming.  You can stash some things under the Dolphin Club building along the beach - you'll see where by watching other swimmers.

Hints

Rings: Leave any loose or even semi-loose rings at home.  The cold water causes the blood to leave your fingers which actually make them a bit smaller.  You don't want to loose a wedding band or other ring.

Keys:  I usually put them in the pocket of my tri suit.  It stays nice and safe within my wetsuit while I am swimming.  Remember: take the alarm/lock remote off before you go swimming.

Checklist

____ Wetsuit

____ Goggles

____ Cap

____ BodyGlide

____ Towel(s)

____ Bag

____ EarPlugs

____ Lock

WW Tri-ers Spring Training Weekend Tentative Agenda

San Francisco, Ca
05/13/10 – 05/17/10


Thursday 05/13/10

- Aquatic Park open for swim Sunrise - Sunset

- Thursday arrivals: check into hotel

- Afternoon: free time and/or run In Golden Gate Park

- Pick up bikes and spare tube from shop (walking distance from hotel)

- pm: Dinner, drinks and music (most likely Financial District)


Friday 05/14/10

- 8:50am: Meet in hotel lobby for ride

- 9:00am wheels down: Paradise Loop (25 miles with several stops for sight seeing and a latte along the way and a Ferry Ride Home) (Optional 45 + 60 mile loop)

- Get CO2 cartridge from me

- Lunch immediately following ride

- Friday arrivals: check into hotel

- Friday arrivals: check in with bike shop, leave pedals (if you brought them), check fit, make sure bike has spare tube

- Afternoon: Run down Embarcadero, Aquatic Park and/or free time

- 7:00 pm: Dinner



Saturday 05/15/2010

- 7:30 a.m. – Breakfast In Lobby

- 9:00 a.m. – Depart For Napa Valley (Need Carpool Arrangements)

- 10:30 a.m - Wheels Down For Ride through Napa Valley

- 12:00 - Lunch

- Post Lunch - Wine Tasting (Send me your requests)


- Approx 7:00pm Dinner


Sunday 05/16/2010

- 6:30 AM 2 Blocks from Hyatt to Bay To Breakers Starting Line (Meet in Lobby)

- 7:15 a.m.: Must Be in your Coral

- 8:00 a.m.: Run Begins!

- 11:30 a.m.: Party at the Finish Line Food Available (Must Find Meeting Location)

- afternoon: Sunday departures, free time, and/or Aquatic Park, Cable Car Ride through the city, shopping...

- pm: Dinner, drinks & music


Monday 05/17/2010

- 7am: Meet for Tour Of California

- 7:30am: Leave for a 2 hour drive to Tour Start

- Monday departures

- For those who have later departures, we’ll just play this day by ear


Notes:

The ING Bay to Breakers have not yet negotiated their special Bay To Breakers Rate. So...I've taken the liberty of place holding 5 rooms. Once I get a price I'll let you guys take over my reservations. Again..the rooms will prob be around $180 a night if more my back up plan is Radison at $149 (not as nice and they would lock our bikes up downstairs instead of letting us take them to our rooms BUT the views are great and its not a bad place).

Here is the hotel info:
Hyat Regency
5 Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, California 94111
Tel: +1 415 788 1234 Fax: +1 415 398 2567

Paradise Loop Options (Scenic route from San Francisco along the waterfront, through Chrissy Field, over the GG Bridge, through Fort Baker, Sausalito to Tiburon, and then back along Paradise Drive through Corte Madera, edge of Mill Valley, Sausalito, Fort Baker, GG Bridge, the Presidio)


To Register:
http://www.baytobreakers.com/