Photos Courtesy of Ryan Dawkins
Over 200 Sierra Club staff collaborate at our Oakland headquarters every day with the shared value of protecting the planet. From lunchtime loops around Lake Merritt to game days cheering on the A's to the rolling green hills, Oakland is a special place to the Sierra Club. (Plus, you can't beat the year-round 70-degrees-and-sunny weather!) So next May, we decided to celebrate The Town by joining the second annual Bay Bridge Half Marathon -- the only half marathon that crosses the Bay Bridge!
We chatted with Ryan Dawkins, the founder of Oakland Run Co., @OakRunCo, about what motivated him to launch the event, how the event prioritizes zero waste, and what’s in store for year two.
Jessica: Tell us about the conception of the Bay Bridge Half. Why did you want to have a race that went across the Bay Bridge?
Ryan: Our team set out to reimagine the endurance event and knew that we wanted to build out the experience first, then add in the run. In 2002, we founded, in partnership with the 2012 Olympic bid to bring the games to San Francisco, the first run across the Golden Gate Bridge. So naturally, with our Oakland roots, the brand new Oakland Bay Bridge was an obvious choice for us.
Jessica: What is your favorite thing about the Bay Bridge Half?
Ryan: Our inaugural event was a magical day, with several industry firsts, but if I had to pick one, it’s the fact that we were the first road running event to go cupless on course and provide a reusable race-ready receptacle to all runners.
Jessica: How does Bay Bridge choose their charitable partners?
Ryan: We are an Oakland-first company, so our charity partners have to be from Oakland, have a passion for health and fitness, and align with our culture.
Jessica: So, what’s your favorite thing about Oakland?
Ryan: With a home and business in Oakland and two daughters in OUSD, my experience is quite diverse. What I love about the town is the intense loyalty and pride for Oakland, which was the primary catalyst for creating Oakland Run Co. A place where running and civic pride could thrive. Running is hard, but when you surround yourself with an amazing community, it becomes a little easier.
Jessica: I love that you’re committed to being a zero-waste event! Can you tell me more about what you’re doing on race day?
Ryan: We partnered with Oakland’s HydraPak to eliminate 45,000 one-use cups and to supply all our runners with a reusable SpeedCup that is filled via rapid fill guns attached to 110 water tanks on course. East Bay’s BibBoards helped us rid the event of safety pins by providing branded, reusable snaps to affix race bib numbers. Our taco truck used compostable wrappers to serve our runners and for post-race water, beer, and Nuun electrolyte, all runners are given a branded pint glass to use on site and again at home.
Jessica: How many people do you expect to do the race in 2020?
Ryan: We will sell out at 3,000 people. Double the size of our inaugural event.
Jessica: That’s so exciting! What would you tell someone that’s going to join the race for their first half marathon?
Ryan: Have fun! Dress up, bring friends, and take a ton of photos. You’ll be in good company.
Jessica: And what piece of advice would you give someone who isn't sure if they should run Bay Bridge?
Ryan: A very exciting stat from our inaugural event was how slow the average times were. This meant that our goal of creating an inclusive, social, and one-of-a-kind experience was achieved. A combination of selfie stations on the bridge and awards like best-dressed and youngest runner make this a fun, unintimidating event that bucks the status quo.
This race will sell out, and we only have a limited number of slots left with Team Sierra. If you’d like to join, you’ll be responsible for raising $1,000 in exchange for free race entry, a race-day singlet, and a fun race-day experience with a team of planet protectors! The funds raised go toward protecting our planet by doing things like transitioning cities, such as Oakland, to 100% renewable energy, and ensuring clean air and water for all. Learn more on how to join our team here.
Since 2002, Dawkins has transformed running and cycling events through his company Project Sport, a venture he founded as a 25-year-old graduate student and built into an industry-leading event production, management, and marketing company. Ryan received Acquisition International’s Business Excellence Award for “Best CEO in the Events Sector” in 2015 for his contributions to the industry’s evolution. Dawkins is also a competitive athlete, completing several IRONMAN events and finishing second as part of a four-man team in the Race Across America from San Diego to Atlantic City. Dawkins and his wife live in Oakland with their two children.