For the Love of the Bay 5K/10K

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

Back for its 5th year, better than ever!! The Love Of The Bay 5K/10K isn't just a run—it’s a celebration of Oakland, community and health. Set in the heart of Oakland, this flat and fast course loops around scenic Lake Merritt, making it perfect for personal records or first-time runners and walkers. Whether it’s the 5K (3.17 miles) or the 10K (6.21 miles) it’s time to use this event as the motivation needed for an active summer!!

🎉 Event Atmosphere

Whether you're racing, walking, dancing, or just cheering friends adding to the vibe—everyone belongs at this starting line.

• Game Changer: 510 has changed the game for local run events over the past few years.
• Inclusive: Inspiring starting lines for runs in the Bay Area to look more colorful and inclusive.
• Health Focus: We are not just a run, we are a health event, a party, and a place to enjoy the morning with the best of the Bay.
• Prizes: Age group prizes for men and women, 18-39, 40-56 and 57 and above will be handed out and announced.

❤️ Why You'll Love It

• Scenic Course: Scenic lakefront course around Lake Merritt.
• Race Gear: Race shirt and finisher medal for all participants.
• Entertainment: Live music and hype energy at the start and finish lines.
• Celebration: Legendary post-race raffle and community celebration.

🎶 Event Highlights

• Cold Plunge: Cold plunge challenge, health booths and post run line dancing, and more surprises!
• Start Corrals: Separate start corals for 5K/10K runners and walkers.
• All Welcome: All ages and abilities welcome – from elite runners to families and first-timers.
• Accessibility: Cost is NOT the reason why families do not come out. Please message us direct if cost is an issue.

📅 Packet Pickup

Thursday, October 24 – Sports Basement Berkeley (off Milvia)
• 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Includes optional group shakeout run starting at 6PM from Sports Basement and post run Happy Hour hang out.

🏁 Race Day Details

Race Day Morning:
• 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM (sharp!) at the actual event (we will have tables set up for bib and shirt pickup).

Plenty of post run refreshments will be available. We make the best post run hydration around!! Stay after the run for FREE photos we take of all the runners with medals.

🎁 Donations

ALL donations will go to cover the cost of the run and our yearly toy drive with the Emeryville Fire Department where last year alone we handed out 200 plus toys to kids in need of Holiday love.

🚇 Getting There

We encourage participants to take BART and use the 0.8-mile walk to the start as a warmup. Parking is available:

• Location: Inside the Lake Merritt parking lot
• Alternatives: On surrounding streets

👟 Community Engagement

500 runners in 2024!! Let’s make it 510 plus this year!!! Race Director Nicholas Collins was raised in and by Oakland. Ran the lake countless times growing up and has used this event to especially help those who are new to running and want run events to be fun and memorable without having to spend an arm and leg to do it!!!

🔗 More Information

For more details, please visit the official race page: For the Love of the Bay 5K/10K.