Historic Bay to Breakers

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Sunday morning, for the first time in Bay to Breakers race history, two women were the first to cross the finish line.

The fastest time belonged to John Korir of Kenya, at 34 minutes and 43 seconds, but Edna Kiplagat of Kenya earned the title of "overall winner," and was first to cross the finishe line at 38 minutes and 55 seconds. The women elite runners were given a four-minute, 40-second head start from the men to put the groups on equal footing.

Tens of thousands of runners paraded down Howard Street towards Golden Gate Park in the 96th annual, 7.5-mile race. Participants went from sea level at the Embarcadero to roughly 215 feet above sea level at the highest point, and enjoyed the performances of 16 bands stationed along the route.

Bay to Breakers began as the Cross City Race in 1912 as a way to build morale after the devastating 1906 earthquake. It has grown to be one of the biggest footraces in the world with over 65,000 participants and over 100,000 spectators each year.

KCBS' Doug Sovern and Chris Filippi report