Source: Bay to Breakers Already Lining Up New Sponsors

Joseph Schell

ING resisted the charms of these "runners" and skipped town. Will a new corporate sponsor soon step in?

​A source close to Bay to Breakers organizers tells SF Weekly that the 99-year-old San Francisco race is already in talks with several high-profile replacements for departed sponsor ING.

Identities were not released, but we were assured they were "instantly recognizable names." Of course, sponsor-dependent sporting enterprises that loses their sponsors are often quick to claim new ones are lining up -- so we'll see.

Joseph Schell

For our next act: Drinking against the wind

​Our source also claimed that the urine-, feces-, vomit-, and stale beer-related problems surrounding Bay to Breakers were just one of several factors prompting ING's decision to not renew its five-year contract with Anschutz Entertainment Group. The insurance giant earlier this year pulled out of the Georgia Marathon, and may be redirecting its sponsorship dollars.

One thing's for certain: They've certainly redirected their dollars away from here.

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