Waymo Named Official Rideshare Partner, Official Pace Car and Autonomous Technology Partner for 2026 Bay to Breakers

May 14, 2026

San Francisco’s Iconic Foot Race Returns on Sunday with 30,000 Runners

San Francisco, CA (May 14, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Bay to Breakers (www.baytobreakers.com) taking place this Sunday is expecting 30,000 participants and every is welcome: runners, walkers, costumed, corporate teams and yes, autonomously driven vehicles The iconic annual race spanning, San Francisco proudly announces its expanded partnership with Waymo (www.waymo.com) as the Official Rideshail Partner, Official Pace Car, and Autonomous Technology Partner for the upcoming event taking place on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

New this year, Waymo’s new autonomous taxi, the “Ojai” (pronounced “OH-hi,”) specially wrapped in Bay to Breakers branding, will serve as the official lead pace car, guiding runners and walkers along the celebrated 12K route from the San Francisco Bay to the breakers of the Pacific Ocean.

“San Francisco is the global capital of innovation, and Waymo is a true pioneer in autonomous mobility,” said Phyllis Blanchard, VP of Partnerships for Motiv Sports, which owns and operates Bay to Breakers. “Their mission to be the world’s most trusted driver perfectly aligns with the forward-thinking spirit of Bay to Breakers. As we celebrate this iconic 114-year-old tradition, Waymo’s leadership in driverless technology enhances accessibility, safety, and the overall race-day experience for participants, spectators, and the broader San Francisco community.”

In addition to Waymo leading the pack of runners and walkers along the scenic route, the company will serve as the event’s Official Ridehail Partner, helping participants, spectators, and visitors travel safely and conveniently to and from one of San Francisco’s most beloved traditions.

“Waymo is proud to partner with Bay to Breakers to help celebrate this iconic San Francisco tradition,” said Lynda Chen, Waymo Brand Marketing & Operations Lead. Waymo is making roads safer in the cities we serve allowing people to focus on the joy of the journey—whether they’re running the race or simply heading out to enjoy the community they love.

Bay to Breakers is a San Francisco original, known for its spirited race that has been a staple of the city since 1912, originally conceived as a way to show the city’s recovery and resilience following the Great 1906 Earthquake and Fire.

Bay to Breakers brings together athletes, families, community members, and costume-clad participants for a 12K race from the San Francisco Bay to the breakers on the Pacific Coast, treasured as a celebration of life, laughter, and the personality of San Francisco, embodying the city’s inclusive spirit and community engagement. During the annual Bay to Breakers race, participants of all ages and abilities, and oftentimes in costume, line up on Howard Street a few blocks from The Embarcadero on the third Sunday in May. The course travels west through the city and finishes along Great Highway and into Golden Gate Park. It truly is a time-honored tradition and the quintessential San Francisco experience.

Waymo
Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with a mission to be the most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has been focused on improving the world’s access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. To date, Waymo has driven over 200 million miles on public roads and tens of billions of miles in simulation. For more: www.waymo.com.

To learn more about Bay to Breakers or sign up for the fun, go to www.baytobreakers.com. To learn more about how businesses can participate in the Corporate Teams program, email Alex Jee at ajee@motivsports.com. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to pblanchard@motivsports.com