Bay to Breakers, San Francisco

Named for its start and end points, the 12K Bay to Breakers blocks off miles of San Francisco streets for participants to run wild. It all begins a few blocks from the Embarcadero, right near the bay. From there, attendees—many sporting fun, colorful costumes—run, jog, and walk through the city, encountering live bands, DJs, and on-course entertainment to keep them motivated along the way. Eventually, they wind up at the Great Highway, where breakers crash into Ocean Beach and a finish-line party awaits.