Berkeley Race Day Checklist: Important Details to Help You Enjoy the Berkeley Half Marathon Race Weekend
The Berkeley Half Marathon is quickly approaching. This weekend, November 18th and 19th, runners will flock to Berkeley, California to participate in what is shaping up to be an awesome race and an even better experience. Many different events will take place during the race weekend, and with so much going on, here’s a Berkeley race day checklist to help you keep track of everything you need for each race, whether you’re running or spectating.
Written by Lucas Colling
Edited by Pavlína Marek
The biggest of the weekend’s events is the aforementioned half marathon that takes you through many beautiful sights of the City of Berkeley. The other races should not be looked over either; Berkeley has partnered up with Olympian Alexi Pappas to bring the exciting Bravey BHM 10K. Sunday will also see the 5K and 1K family races, and the 1K kids race is happening on Saturday.
Registration & Bibs
Make sure you’re fully registered for each race you’re participating in and have picked up your race packets prior to the event. If you didn’t have your bib mailed to you, you’ll have to pick up yours at Sports Basement Berkeley, 2727 Milvia St. You can pick up your bib either Friday, November 17th from 11 am to 6:30 pm or Saturday, November 18th from 9 am to 5 pm.
Race Start Times
The last thing you want after training for a race is to miss the start! Make sure you know the start times of your races before race day:
- All of the races except for the Saturday Kids 1K take place on Sunday, November 19th. The Kids 1K race will take place on Saturday, November 18th.
- The Half Marathon will start at 7:30 am.
- The 10K will start at 8:30 am.
- The 5K will start at 8:30 am.
- The Sunday BPSF Family 1K will start at 8:45 am.
- The Saturday Kids 1K will start at 8:00 am.
- The Sunday races will all begin at Milvia St. and Kittredge St. Ending locations vary by race.
- The Saturday Kids 1K will begin at Sports Basement Berkeley.
Some of these details are subject to change depending on the conditions on race day. You can reference all of the most up-to-date start info for the races here on the Berkeley Half Marathon website.
Race Challenges at Berkeley
Are you an avid runner and plan to take on more races in the Bay Area? Do you already want to do the Berkeley Half Marathon again next year? If yes, then you should keep your eye on the following challenges! The best part is, you are automatically eligible for each one, so long as you register using the same first and last name and birth date for each race in that challenge.
The Bravey Bay 10K Challenge
The Bravey Bay 10k Challenge is a great one to start with. All you need to do is show up in-person and run the 10K race at the Berkeley Half Marathon and the 10K at the San Francisco Marathon! Inspired by Alexi Pappas and her journey, at the end of the second race you’ll receive a special medal commemorating your achievement.
The SF/Berkeley Challenge
Similar to the Bravey Bay 10K Challenge, finishing any two consecutive races from the Berkeley Half Marathon and San Francisco Marathon events will earn you a challenge medal! If 10K’s are your race of choice already, these two challenges can be done at the same time!
The Bay Area Challenge
The last of the Big Three is the Bay Area Challenge. To complete it, you have to run 5 consecutive races of any length at 5 events over a 12 month period. Eligible races are The Berkeley Half Marathon, The Giant Race, Oakland Marathon, The San Jose 8K & Half Marathon, and the San Francisco Marathon. By doing so, you can enjoy an extra commemorative medal from each event signifying your achievement.
The Loyal Runner Challenge
If Berkeley is the only race that interests you, that’s OK, too! The Loyal Runner Challenge will reward anybody who has run at Berkeley for 3 or more consecutive years. Each will receive a Loyal Runner shirt and pin to show your dedication to Berkeley, running, and yourself!
Berkeley Race Day Checklist
On race day, make sure to bring all the important things you personally need. Choose your fvourite shoes and lucky shirt. If you plan to carry water, don’t forget to try out your hydration system. As for us, we’ll need you to have:
- your race bib, pinned on the front of your shirt/shorts
- your ID, should you want to visit the beer garden
ATTENTION: Our gear check process changed. If you wish to leave your things with us during the race, make sure to do so at the Expo. For more information, check out our new Bag Drop Policy.
More details regarding the challenges offered at the Berkeley Half Marathon can be found here.
We hope that this Berkeley race day checklist made your planning a bit easier. Here at the Berkeley Half Marathon, we’re all getting excited. With the race weekend almost upon us, we hope you’re feeling the same! Berkeley is host to beautiful architecture, wonderful climate, and gorgeous landscapes. It’s always a privilege to be able to take over its streets to host these races. Every race is a treat to take part in or watch regardless of if you have a friend or loved one participating. We hope to see you there the weekend of the 18th and 19th!
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