Yes

Not exactly. We do expect all half marathon finishers to be done within 3 hours and 30 minutes but we generally try to avoid limiting runners.

Yes there are water stops about every 1 to 1.5 miles, if possible.

Yes, of course, we do! To learn more about volunteering opportunities, click on Volunteers in the menu of this website. Volunteering is a good and fun thing to do in its own right but in addition you can earn admission to the beer festival on race day and may also be able to earn an entry to a future Beer City. 

Yes!

Yes, you can pickup for friends and vice versa. No bib pickup is not manadatory. Yes, you can pickup on race day BUT getting your bib early means you'll avoid long lines on race day. 

We do NOT charge for race day bib pickup because we think that punishes good people who are working during the bib pickup hours. If you do pickup on race day come early. We can not guarantee that you will start with your race or on time if you don't pickup at bib pickup.

Yes, there are porta potties at the start and then again when the races pass the start. For the half marathon, there is a public restroom on the Crab Cove section of the race.

Yes, we have a safe place for your personal items. This is not a formal will-call though and we don't assume liabilitiy for stored items. Make sure to leave your valuables at home.

Yes.

There is free parking on-street and (even better) just a short walk to Sea Plane Lagoon parking.  (directions.) 

Parking is free at Sea Plane Lagoon and nearby. Metered onstreet parking costs something.

Each finisher receives a soft and wonderful Beer City shirt, a Beer City tasting glass, a custom bib, and the coveted Key Beer City medal. 

8:30 am: Half Marathon starts
8:45 am: 10k Start
9:00 am: 5k Start
9:10 am: Beer Stroll
9:30 am: Post-race beer tasting opens 
11:00 am: Beat The Beast Beer Mile 

All races start and finish at the Beer City Festival area in Radium Runway which is immediately adjacent to Waterfront Park in Alameda (directions).

Beer City allows you to defer your registration to any of our other events at any time. You can also transfer your race to a friend. No questions asked. Your race credit is good for up to a year. Here is a little tutorial on how to manage your registration. 

We don't offer cash refunds under any circumstance. Please consider purchasing race insurance. This is exactly what it's here for. It's available when you register.

Maybe. These races may sell out. Make sure to check the website before coming to the race.

Yes, we offer water, bubbly drinks, and fruit. There will also be non-alchoholic beer. 

Will there be beer? What else will be at the finish?

Yes indeed there is beer. As much as you like. We will have a house pour with Lagunitas, Drakes, and Fieldwork. We expect a handful of our friends to be there as well, like Almanac, Faction, and East Brother. There will also be post-race treats and drinks. The post race party closes at noon and we head out for fun together at the nearby breweries.

What is Shindig?

Join us after 12pm at a local brewery for Shindig, our home base for the afternoon. Buy a Shindig ticket for your first beer and collect a special Beer City pin. Or just come. It's open bar. We will feature music from 2pm - 5pm.