Berkeley Half Marathon 2015. Photo: Ted Friedman
The third annual Berkeley Half Marathon took place Sunday, Nov. 22. Photo: Ted Friedman

On Sunday, Anna Bretan of Berkeley took first place in the women’s race of the 2015 Berkeley Half Marathon for the third consecutive year. Bretan, whose time was 1:18:34, has also finished first in the San Francisco Marathon for the past three consecutive years.

There was also a Berkeley connection for Oakland resident Sam Robinson, who placed first in the men’s race, with a time of 1:12:22. Robinson is a student at UC Berkeley, finishing his Ph.D. in history.

And Holly McIlvaine, also of of Berkeley, took second place in the women’s half marathon with a time of 1:21:12. (See full results on the Berkeley Half Marathon’s website.)

Berkleley Marathon winner 2015. Photo Colleen Neff
Berkeley Half Marathon 2015 winners, with Berkeley’s vice-mayor Linda Maio, at far left, who handed out medals. Left to right: Abigail Breshears, Sam Robinson, Holly McIlvaine, James Buchanan, Anna Bretan and Brian Gillis. Photo: Colleen Neff
Berkeley Half Marathon 2015 winners, with Berkeley’s vice-mayor Linda Maio, at far left, who handed out medals. Left to right: Abigail Breshears, Sam Robinson, Holly McIlvaine, James Buchanan, Anna Bretan and Brian Gillis. Photo: Colleen Neff

More than 7,000 runners participated in the third annual Berkeley Half Marathon, according to the organizers. The event, which also includes a half marathon relay race and a 10K race, is produced in partnership with Cal Athletics, and raises funds for Berkeley youth through its official charity partner – the Berkeley Public Schools Fund.

The Half Marathon route takes in a significant cross-section of the city: it begins in Civic Center Park, goes up Telegraph Avenue, then across the UC Berkeley Campus, through the Gourmet Ghetto and into the streets of North Berkeley. Runners then take a tour of the West Berkeley, running through the Fourth Street neighborhood and then getting a good look at the Bay as they run down the Bay Trail. The route then takes runners back up to Civic Center Park where they cross the finish line.

Berkeley Half Marathon. 8:29am as the runners were heading up Shattuck Avenue just before Eunice Street.Photo: Neil Mishalov
8:29 a.m.: Runners headed up Shattuck Avenue just before Eunice Street. Photo: Neil Mishalov
Berkeley Half Marathon 2015. Photo: Ted Friedman
Running across the Cal campus during Berkeley Half Marathon 2015. Photo: Ted Friedman
Berkeley Half Marathon 2015. Photo: Ted Friedman
A runner comes in to the end of the Berkeley Half Marathon 2015 on Sunday, Nov. 22. Photo: Ted Friedman
A runner comes in to the end of the Berkeley Half Marathon 2015 on Sunday, Nov. 22. Photo: Ted Friedman
One of the top five finishers in the Berkeley Half Marathon 2015. Photo: Ted Friedman
Spectators cheer on a finisher in the Berkeley Half Marathon 2015. Photo: Ted Friedman
Spectators cheer on a finisher in the Berkeley Half Marathon 2015. Photo: Ted Friedman
Berkeley Half Marathon 2015. Photo: Ted Friedman
On campus during the Berkeley Half Marathon 2015. Photo: Ted Friedman

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Tracey Taylor is co-founder of Berkeleyside and co-founder and editorial director of Cityside, the nonprofit parent to Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. Before launching Berkeleyside, Tracey wrote for...