The Race
I can’t believe that the Bay to Breakers race I trained for, for the last six months, has already come and gone. It was definitely an adventure. My parents ran this particular race several times before, but hearing stories and actually seeing it were two very different things.
To try to put the race in some context, if you have never seen it, you need a little history. The Bay to Breakers Race started in 1912, to lift the city of San Francisco’s spirits after the 1906, earthquake. Run for more consecutive years over the same course and distance than any other foot race, it has become known more for the costumes the runner’s wear, or in a lot of cases don’t wear (this is San Francisco after all), than the actual race.
People line the streets and throw parties at the houses along the course complete with local bands. This attracts people from all over the world to partake in the race. This year people from 48 states and 42 different countries competed. The average number of participants is 70-80 thousand; only about half of those actually registering for the race. Making it more a party than a race for most of the participants.
These are just a few of the tamer costumes I saw. I wanted to keep it more to the PG side than the R. Tony found the banana suits were particularly interesting. Tony and I talked about the people who chose not to run in costume, but I don’t think he really believed me. I think he originally thought I was kidding because he was sure this had to be illegal. He couldn’t believe that the police along the route didn’t seem fazed at all by the nudity.
He’s traveled a lot, even visited several foreign countries. This wasn’t even his first visit to San Francisco. It was still, however, an eye opener for a young man that’s spent most of his life in Nebraska. He originally planned to run in front of all us slow old people (typical 14-year-old thinking, anyone over 30 is ancient), and meet us at the finish line. After the third or fourth naked dude, however, he changed his mind deciding to run by mom. It didn’t bother me as much as it did him. I just want to know why it’s never Thor or Captain America running around in the buff. Instead, it’s always the Penguin or the Blob.
They divide the runners into “corrals” based on your mile times. We were in corral F. By the time it was our turn to run, the elite runners who started first had already finished the race. The waiting wasn’t too bad. We had plenty of thing to keep us busy waiting our turn. Not only did we entertain ourselves with all the different costumes, but they have a tradition of “Flying Tortillas”. Apparently they used to use Frisbees, but switched to tortillas for safety. People actually bring tortillas and there are hundreds of them being thrown around like Frisbees. Tony got a big kick out of this.
When it was finally our turn, it wasn’t really possible to start off running. There were just too many people. Tony and I ran probably a third of the course; walking when we had to and weaving in and out of the crowd running when we could. Still we managed to average 15 minute miles, so I’m pretty pleased. It was definitely an adventure running past the parties and watching the people.
There was one group dressed as wood cutters with one of their number in a tree costume. They ran down the street after him pretending to chop him down. Another guy was dressed as a sumo wrestler. When another group of guys saw him, they yelled “sumo dance party”. Then they all started boogying with him. Tony kept pointing out different things as we went, and it was lots of fun watching him take in the experience.
I’m really glad that I went, and I enjoyed sharing this with my son and other members of my family. I know from all the training and prep work that I did that I could have run the whole thing (well maybe not the Hayes street hill, it’s 2/3 of a mile with an average grade of 5.5, and 11% grade at the steepest). So, while I still can’t say I am a huge fan of running,
I’m thinking that maybe I want to run another race. One that is more of an actual race than a party. Just so that I can see how I would do. I’m open to suggestions if anyone knows of a good 10K. I’d like it to be somewhere interesting. If I’m going to run, I want it to be someplace fun, preferably flat. I don’t enjoy running enough that continuing to run in Nebraska is motivating. Maybe someday, but not today.
Nashville hosts the Music City run but we have hills and humidity.
Cozad, NE has a 5k, 10k in August and it is a flat course.
Glad that you all had fun and pleased that Tony got to throw a tortilla!
Sounds like alot of fun. May be a run-cation to consider at some point. On race recommendations: The Gasparillo in Tampa, sometime in January or February I believe, is a great one. There are multiple distances to choose from, it’s along the ocean, and it’s really flat. They give medals too – so a bit of bling on your wall for future motivation. Did their 15k when training for my first half. It’s great.
Way to go! Have to admit, I would’ve been a little shocked by the naked runners, too! I mean I don’t even like to look at myself without clothes, much less anyone else. Agree with your description-When I worked in front office of the Utilities, it was always the ones who “shouldn’t” who wore the short tops, short shorts, active wear, and other figure-baring clothing!