Bay to Breakers Marks Biggest Year in More Than a Decade
Media Contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. / David Perry (415) 676-7007 news@davidperry.com
Bay to Breakers Marks Biggest Year in More Than a Decade
More than 30,000 registered participants run, walk and celebrate across San Francisco, capped by an epic Golden Gate Park festival drawing 30,000 revelers
17 May 2026 – San Francisco, CA: Bay to Breakers roared across San Francisco today with its biggest field in more than a decade, drawing more than 30,000 registered participants for the city’s legendary 12K celebration of cardio, costumes, chaos and community. Leading off the festive pack of runners was San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie alongside Gerd Rosenblatt, 92 years young.
From the start line near the Embarcadero to the finish inside Golden Gate Park, the 2026 running of Bay to Breakers delivered everything that has made the race a San Francisco institution since 1912: elite competition, corporate teams, families, first-time runners, longtime devotees, outrageous costumes, neighborhood energy and the unmistakable spirit of only-in-San-Francisco joy.
“Today proved once again why Bay to Breakers is more than a race — it is San Francisco at full volume,” said Phyllis Blanchard, Bay to Breakers / Motiv Sports. “To welcome more than 30,000 registered participants — our largest field in over a decade — and see the city turn out from the Bay to Golden Gate Park was extraordinary.”
Photo Credit: RWB Multimedia / Motiv Sports
(Video of Bay to Breakers Start)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L0hLmoOwDFA8cxTx3KlRqbLbCS6AeJeX/view?usp=drivesdk
Official 12K results showed Nolan Hosbein, 22, winning the men’s overall title in 37:16; Tamara Jewett, 36, winning the women’s overall title in 40:46; and David Elk, 29, winning the nonbinary division in 41:47. The official Brooksee results page shows Hosbein first overall in the 12K at 37:16 and Jewett first female at 40:46; the nonbinary result is reflected in current race-day reporting of the official results.
In the 15K Breakers Bonus, which added three more kilometers for runners who wanted to keep the challenge going, Timothy Liu, 22, of San Francisco, won the men’s overall title in 54:44; Bella Bueno, 23, of Larkspur, won the women’s overall title in 1:04:35; and Miguel Mercado, 37, of San Bruno, won the nonbinary division in 1:18:21, according to the official Brooksee 15K awards page.
Photo Credit: Motiv Sports
Following the race, Golden Gate Park became the scene of an epic post-run party and festival that drew an estimated 30,000 revelers for live entertainment, sponsor activations, music, food, costumes, photos, reunions and the kind of civic celebration that only Bay to Breakers can deliver. Participants and spectators filled the park in a colorful, high-energy finale that transformed the finish experience into a full-scale San Francisco festival.
SurveyMonkey, Bay to Breakers’ Official Curiosity Partner, was also on hand as part of the event’s expanded participant-experience efforts, helping gather real-time insights from runners, media, sponsors and stakeholders throughout race weekend. The partnership was announced earlier this month as a new way to capture participant, media and stakeholder feedback during race weekend.
“Bay to Breakers is iconic because it belongs to everyone who shows up — runners, walkers, families, fans, sponsors, volunteers and the city itself,” said Eric Johnson, CEO of SurveyMonkey. “Seeing more than 30,000 people take part this year, and then watching that energy carry into Golden Gate Park, shows the power of listening to participants and continuing to improve an event people already love.”
Blanchard noted that the combination of a larger field, a new finish experience and an expanded festival footprint marked an important milestone for the future of the event.
“This year was a turning point,” said Blanchard. “The energy, the participation and the Golden Gate Park celebration all point to a bright future for Bay to Breakers. We are honoring the race’s incredible history while building the next chapter — one that is bigger, more inclusive, more festive and more connected to the city than ever.”
Since 1912, Bay to Breakers has been a defining part of San Francisco’s civic and cultural identity. Known for its cross-city course, festive atmosphere, creative costumes, elite competition and unmatched community energy, the race continues to attract participants from across the Bay Area and around the world.
About Bay to Breakers:
Bay to Breakers is San Francisco’s world-famous footrace, a one-of-a-kind 12K celebration that has been part of the city’s fabric since 1912. Known for its iconic cross-city course, inclusive spirit, creative costumes, elite competition and unforgettable community energy, Bay to Breakers welcomes runners, walkers, corporate teams, families and fans from across the Bay Area and around the world. For more information, visit BaytoBreakers.com.
About SurveyMonkey:
SurveyMonkey is the world’s most popular platform for surveys and forms, built for business and loved by users. We combine powerful capabilities with intuitive design, effectively serving every use case, from customer experience to employee engagement, market research to payment and registration forms. With built-in research expertise and AI-powered technology, SurveyMonkey helps teams gather insights and information that inspire better decisions, create experiences people love and drive business growth. Discover how at surveymonkey.com.
About Motiv Sports:
Motiv Sports is a leading producer of active lifestyle events across the United States, creating memorable race experiences that connect participants, communities and brand partners through running, celebration and endurance. Its portfolio includes some of the country’s most distinctive endurance events, including Bay to Breakers and Surf City Marathon.