This is the world's oldest consecutively run footrace, which sounds like trivia until you're standing at the start line in a banana costume next to someone who has done this 40 straight years. The 2026 edition is the first since the race drew national attention after a well-known touring musician — who ran a back-to-back show weekend in the Bay — finished in the top 5% on what appeared to be very little sleep. That story landed everywhere and registration is reportedly pacing ahead of 2025. The floats are technically banned but show up anyway; the centipede teams are the ones to watch in Hayes Valley.

Practical notes: do not drive to the start. The road closures are extensive and parking near Howard and Spear is a losing game by 7:30am. BART is your move. Bag check is available but the line is long — leave anything you can't run with at home or in your hotel. The finish area at Ocean Beach has food vendors but the lines spike around 10am.

If you only have two hours, skip the start-line chaos and station yourself in the Panhandle around 9:15am — you'll catch the costumed wave at full speed and you can walk to the beach from there.