World-Class Athletes Gather In San Francisco for Centennial Zazzle Bay to Breakers

May 10, 2011:

Most Unique Footrace in the World Attracts World-Class Runners

SAN FRANCISCO (May 10, 2023) - Zazzle Bay to Breakers today announced elite runners for its annual San Francisco footrace, including American superstar Meb Keflezighi. Meb, a 20 time national champion, will aim to make race history by becoming the first American male champion of Bay to Breakers since 1986.  Joining Meb on the women's side is the winner of last year's Battle to the Breakers and course record setting Kenyan Lineth Chepkurui who set the new standard by finishing in 38:07. She made race history in 2010 amidst more than 62,000 participants, world-class athletes, weekend runners and enthusiasts of all ages.

"It is always thrilling to see our elite field come together, especially for our centennial," said Angela Fang, manager of the race. "This year the Zazzle Bay to Breakers has drawn the likes of Meb Keflezighi as well as last year's winner, Lineth Chepkurui. The elite field in 2011 is one that will go down in people's memories as one of the best showings we have had. We look forward to a fantastic finish on May 15th at the Great Highway."

Elite Runner Highlights

  • 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.

Zazzle Bay to Breakers is a USA Track and Field certified 12K (7.46 miles). Starting at the base of the San Francisco Bay, the course rises steeply along the City's famous Hayes Street Hill. Around the
2.5-mile mark runners climb an 11.15 percent grade between Fillmore and Steiner streets, bringing them to the highest point in the race, approximately 215 feet above sea level. The remainder of the course gradually flows alongside the Panhandle and through Golden Gate Park and ends at the Pacific Ocean.

For a complete list of 100th Annual Zazzle Bay to Breakers elite athletes, please contact Stephanie Reichin via email at [email protected].

About Zazzle Bay to Breakers 12K

Originally known as the Cross City Race, Bay to Breakers was first held on January 1, 1912. In its first year, 186 runners started the race at Embarcadero and Market streets and only 121 runners completed the race. The winner of the first race was Robert Jackson "Bobby" Vlught, who won with a time of 44:10. Since then Bay to Breakers has grown to be one of the largest footraces in the world with more than 50,000 participants and close to 100,000 spectators annually. The race has grown to be a celebration for everyone and exemplifies The City's irrepressible color and its affection for eclectic traditions.

Additional sponsors of this year's race include: Volkswagen, Virgin America, T-Mobile, Power Balance, Big 5, SitOnIt Seating, Barefoot Wine and Bubbly, Crystal Geyser, and the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.

Media partners for this year's race include: KGO Newstalk 810, KSFO 560 AM, KRON 4, and the San Francisco Examiner.

For more information, visit zazzlebaytobreakers.com

About Zazzle

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