The Bay To Breakers - What Fun!

Everything I’ve heard is true. The Bay to Breakers is the quintessential, San Francisco event. It includes fitness, frivolity, diversity, and so much more. It is like San Francisco – a wonderful blend of the best things in life.

I was near the official START when the elite runners took off. I heard the countdown, 10, 9, 8, 7…and then all hell broke loose! People were everywhere! Runners darted ahead to claim their place in the pecking order for the 7.6 mile course. People cheered; music blared; a group of fierce Vikings loomed on the sidelines…Elvis was in several places at one time!

I was surprised at the number of little old ladies and men running in front of me. The little old ladies had arm jabs that could do any roller-derby dames proud. This race could be a great recruiting ground!

The naked behind in front of me was quite attractive and distracted me from the rest of the pack. The long, curly below shoulder-length hair suggested female, the straight hips and muscular buttocks suggested otherwise. Only in San Francisco! What a great place.

I could see the infamous Hayes Street Hill looming as the entire pack was directed to the right, after the first mile or so through the downtown area. I asked the guy next to me how long the hill lasted. “A mile or so, after that it’s all downhill!” Sounded good. But what a mile! It just keeps going…Here’s where the mental prep kicked in – one leg after the other…one step at a time…think Rocky Balboa, think “I Am Woman”… And there it was, THE TOP! Not bad at all. Just one step at a time… And there, standing on a small platform, cheering us on, was Elvis!

Once I got to the top of the hill I was home free. This side of San Francisco is my home. I’ve run the panhandle, along Fell Street, and down to the ocean hundreds of times. I’ve marveled at the beauty in Golden Gate Park in all the seasons, at all times of day, and in all weather. And yesterday I marveled at the beauty of the people of San Francisco and how they came together in a celebration of the joy of movement, mass movement.

I had a great time at the 97th running of The Bay To Breakers. I want to congratulate all of the members of our women’s club, Ask About Running, who participated – (Gini, Dena, Gwenn, Jeanetta, and any others I didn’t know about). I want to thank our current Mayor Gavin Newsom for standing up for the people of this city who see themselves as whole human beings, under the eyes of God and the law, clothed or not. I want to thank San Francisco law enforcement for their support and tolerance. A race like this could not happen without the willingness of SF Law enforcement to manage people and keep us safe while allowing us the opportunity to have a city-wide bash. I want to thank the community of people who participated in the event – on the sidelines or on the course. When was the last time you partied and felt safe and festive with an entire city, verging on a million of your closest friends? Great job! Great fun!

San Francisco Bay to Breakers, count me in for the 98th running. I’ve marked it on my calendar for 2009. Always the third Sunday in May. I’ll be there!
The Bay To Breakers

Everything I've heard is true. The Bay to Breakers is the quintessential, San Francisco event. It includes fitness, frivolity, diversity, and so much more. It is like San Francisco - a wonderful blend of the best things in life.

I was near the official START when the elite runners take off. I heard the countdown, "10, 9, 8, 7...and then all hell broke loose! People were everywhere! Runners darted ahead to create their place in the pecking order for the 7.6 mile course. People cheered; music blared; a group of fierce Vikings loomed on the sidelines...Elvis was in several places at one time!

I was surprised at the number of little old ladies and men running in front of me. The little old ladies had arm jabs that could do any roller-derby dames proud. This race could be a great recruiting ground!

The naked behind in front of me was quite attractive and distracted me from the rest of the pack. The long curly hair suggested female, the straight hips and muscular buttocks suggested otherwise. Only in San Francisco! What a great place.

I could see the infamous Hayes Street Hill looming as the entire pack was directed to the right, after the first mile or so through the downtown area. I asked the guy next to me how long the hill lasted. "A mile or so, after that it's all downhill!" Sounded good. But what a mile! It just keeps going...Here's where the mental prep kicked in - one leg after the other...one step at a time...think Rocky Balboa, think "I Am Woman"... And there it was, THE TOP! Not bad at all. Just one step at a time... And there, standing on a small platform, cheering us on, was Elvis!

Once I got to the top of the hill I was home free. This side of San Francisco is my home. I've run the panhandle, along Fell Street, and down to the ocean hundreds of times. I've marveled at the beauty in Golden Gate Park in all the seasons, at all times of day, and in all weather. And yesterday I marveled at the beauty of the people of San Francisco and how they came together in a celebration of the joy of movement, mass movement.

I had a great time at the 97th running of The Bay To Breakers. I want to congratulate all of the members of our women's club, Ask About Running, who participated - (Gini, Dena, Gwenn, Jeanetta, and any others I didn't know about). I want to thank our current Mayor Gavin Newsom for standing up for the people of this city who see themselves as whole human beings, under the eyes of God and the law, clothed or not. I want to thank San Francisco law enforcement for their support and tolerance. A race like this could not happen without the willingness of SF Law enforcement to manage people and keep us safe while allowing us the opportunity to have a city-wide bash. I want to thank the community of people who participated in the event - on the sidelines or on the course. When was the last time you partied and felt safe and festive with an entire city, verging on a million of your closest friends? Great job! Great fun!

San Francisco Bay to Breakers, count me in for the 98th running. I've marked it on my calendar for 2009. Always the third Sunday in May. I'll be there!