As part of its recent expansion into the US market, UNITE Partnerships was in San Francisco on May 19th to experience one of America’s oldest foot-races, the iconic – and unconventional – Bay to Breakers. Our team joined over 20,000 participants to run through the city and celebrate the 2024 event.
For over a century, tens of thousands of runners gather annually to run westward from San Francisco Bay to the Breakers, hence the name. But this is no ordinary footrace: Bay to Breakers is part race, part parade, and 100% fun.
“This race truly has something for everyone. Whether people are looking to run, to party, or for an excuse to dress up, Bay to Breakers is an event that attracts people from all parts of the community.” said Crystian Kumnick, Motiv Sports.
Originally founded in 1912 to help San Francisco recover from a devastating earthquake, Bay to Breakers continues to embody this same spirit of resilience and regeneration. In collaboration with the San Francisco Chambers of Commerce, Bay to Breakers is striving to rejuvenate and re-energize the city through public and private partnerships. Leading the way this year was Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet headquartered in San Francisco, whose autonomous vehicle served as this year’s pace car.
UNITE has a long standing history in the community running space, leading sponsorship on the Vancouver Sun Run for over a decade, and we are thrilled to bring our expertise to this landmark event.
“Bay to Breakers is uniquely positioned at the intersection of running, community engagement, diversity, and inclusion”, said Heather Mawhinney, Senior Manager, Partnerships, UNITE Partnerships. “We’re excited to unite San Francisco’s thriving business community around this cultural asset in a way that revitalizes the city of San Francisco at a much needed time in its history”.
Over its 111 years, Bay to Breakers had become a rite of passage for local and visiting runners alike, attracting participants from across the US. Many opt to run in costume – from bananas to dinosaurs, to the cast of Beauty and the Beast. Another quirky feature is the tortilla toss, which are thrown in celebration at the starting line. The enthusiasm of runners is matched in equal measure by local spectators who cheer runners up the notoriously steep Hayes Hill, some donning their own costumes and one group even offering a full “pit stop” with pit crew and lounge chairs.
UNITE is thrilled to be part of the Bay to Breakers team, and we are looking forward to supporting this iconic race for years to come. If you are interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to hello@unitepartnerships.com.
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