Bay To Breakers Race Preps For Its 97th Running Next Year
New this year: Expo moves to Justin Herman Plaza and 2008 Anniversary chip honors the “Painted Ladies of Alamo Square”

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Posted Wednesday, 19 December, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – December 17, 2007 – San Francisco will celebrate the 97th running of one of the most famous footraces in the world: ING Bay to Breakers 12K on May 18, 2008. A legendary San Francisco tradition that honors both athleticism and individuality, ING Bay to Breakers is one of the most unique and entertaining athletic events outside of Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls.

A world-famous annual tribute to San Francisco’s spirit, enthusiasm and determination, the race welcomes runners of all ages, backgrounds and levels of athletic ability. In 2008, the ING Bay to Breakers Greater Body Expo moves to Justin Herman Plaza at the intersection of Market Street and the Embarcadero, across from the Ferry Building. Registered participants will receive the second of five “collectable” electronic timing chips that can be collected through 2011, the race’s 100th anniversary. The chip is worn on a running shoe in order to record an individual’s precise race finish and this year’s chip features an image of the Victorian homes in San Francisco known as the “Painted Ladies. “

“We pride ourselves on holding an international 12K footrace that embodies the athleticism of other world-class races, but with our own ‘Only in San Francisco’ twist,” said Angela Fang, general manager of ING Bay to Breakers. “For the first time this year, we’re encouraging participants not only to celebrate the city’s annual race, but to keep San Francisco clean and green. We want participants to have fun, but also want them to respect the environment by being responsible with their bottles, cans and other trash. San Francisco is one of the most beautiful and eco-friendly cities in the country, and we want the ING Bay to Breakers event to reflect that reputation.”

RACE HEADQUARTERS AND EXPO ARE ON THE MOVE TO JUSTIN HERMAN PLAZA
The 2008 ING Bay to Breakers Greater Body Expo, a two day health and fitness event that incorporates interactive displays, free samples, prizes and great bargains on apparel and fitness gear, will be held at its new location, Justin Herman Plaza, in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District. Located just across the Embarcadero from the Ferry Building, the ING Greater Body Expo is the one-stop shop for all of your race needs.

The Expo is FREE and open to the public. The hours are Friday, May 16, 11 am to 7 pm, to Saturday, May 17, from 9 am to 7 pm.

The Expo is the last chance to register for the race, and individuals who are already registered can pick up their race packets and timing chips. Race Staff will be on-hand to assist with customer service solutions and distribute participant t-shirts.

ING Bay to Breakers would like to remind all participants that the Expo will not be open on race day and that there is no race day registration or packet pick-up.

ONLY THREE MORE YEARS UNTIL THE BIG 100
ING Bay to Breakers 12K will again distribute a collectable timing chip to continue the countdown to its 100th birthday in 2011. This year’s chip is the second in a series of five icons along the race course; 2008 features San Francisco’s very own “Painted Ladies”, a row of Victorian homes on Steiner Street that is one of the city’s most famous scenic landmarks. Runners and walkers pass close by the “Ladies” as they head up the race course’s Hayes Street Hill.

Beginning in 2007, all registered participants received a specially created race timing chip that automatically collected data from each runner as they competed along the course. The results are processed and distributed at the conclusion of the race. The chips are worn on the outer laces of the shoe and record each individual’s time as they cross the start line and then the finish line. The “gun time” does not matter because each participant’s time is unique. In addition, all registered runners will have the opportunity to print out an official finisher’s certificate online after the race.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Following the successful debut of the “Battle of the Bands” contest in 2007, Bay Area performers will again battle it out in April, 2008, competing for a chance to open for the headliner band at ING Footstock, the post-race festival and concert that takes place on the polo field at Golden Gate Park. ING Footstock features live bands, food vendors and Southwest Airlines’ popular costume contest in which revelers and race participants have an opportunity to strut their stuff and win a Southwest Airlines vacation for two.

2008 SPONSORS
The 2008 ING Bay to Breakers 12K sponsors include ING, Holme, Roberts & Owen, LLP, Southwest Airlines, Reebok, MINI, Big 5, Salonpas, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, KRON 4News, KKSF 103.7, STAR 101.3, The Examiner and AEG.

I KNOW I’VE BEEN RUNNING THIS MY WHOLE LIFE, BUT WHERE DO I GO AGAIN?
The ING Bay to Breakers festivities begin Friday, May 16, with the ING Greater Body Expo at Justin Herman Plaza near the Hyatt Regency San Francisco.
On race day, Sunday, May 18, starting at 8 am at the intersection of Howard and Main Street, runners will enjoy live bands along the course and finish on the Great Highway at Ocean Beach.
Immediately following the race, the annual ING Footstock festival at the Golden Gate Park Polo Fields will feature headliner entertainment, an awards ceremony, a food marketplace and an opportunity to rendezvous with family and friends.
Admission to the ING Greater Body Expo and ING Footstock is FREE and open to the public.

For additional race information, updates on ING Footstock entertainment and Expo programming, check out www.ingbaytobreakers.com , call the ING Bay to Breakers 12K hotline at 415-359-2800 or email info@ingbaytobreakers.com. Please also see calendar below.

Media, please note: Photographs and b-roll are available through Lauren Fernstrom, Landis Communications Inc., at 415-359-2312 or lauren@landispr.com.

About ING Bay to Breakers 12K
Headed for its 97th year, the ING Bay to Breakers 12K is one of the world’s largest and oldest footraces, held annually in San Francisco, California. The name reflects the traditional course which takes tens of thousands of participants from the northeast end of the downtown area near The Embarcadero (the “Bay” side of the city) to the west end of the city and the “breakers” of Ocean Beach.

The 7.46 mile (12 kilometer) race features world-class athletes in addition to costumed runners and ‘fun-loving’ folks out for a great day of running and walking through San Francisco.

About ING
ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance and asset management to more than 75 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of over 120,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.
In the U.S., the ING family of companies offers a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients which include life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits, financial planning, and reinsurance. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves over 14 million customers across the nation. For more information, visit www.ing.com

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