Bay To Breakers

Bay To Breakers is one weird San Franciscan tradition that takes place every third Sunday in May- a walk/run with all kinds of unusual characters and groups.

I have run the Bay to Breakers for about six or seven years. I always use it more or less as a day’s PT (physical training) with the crazies. Every year something is a little different.

Officially, I heard there were about 65,000 this year, down from the first time I ran it when it was close to a 100,000.

There’s all kinds of participants. The event is a kind of Halloween in May. It is a giant moving funny costume parade including Elvis impersonators by the dozens, centipedes, human trains, people running backwards, mothers pushing strollers, and nudes(some even running). I even saw a woman running in a bride's dress and two were running in evening gowns.

There are also just spectors cheering for the runners or just watching the show. Whomever or whatever we see in the race; it is one giant 7.2 fun race/runjog/walk. There are actually serious runners who make money- elite, seeded runners. The Kenyans usually win.

Bay To Breakers

This year I heard the aftermath was a little too much booze and revelry. The police and public works department were griping big time about all the trash. For those like myself, it is lots of fun.

What always fascinates me are the nudes. Most of them are fat old men who should be at home; but, I will have to say this: no one pays them any attention.

I don’t think I’m going to do it anymore. Why? I don’t know, ADD (attention deficit disorder); but, by next year, who knows.

Every time I participate, I am always amazed at the same thing: the fundamentalists folks with the very elaborate signs of Jesus Saves, Repent. I always wonder what their motive is and what they think they are accomplishing.

The fundamentalists are brave, I'll have to say that. A mass of humanity surges toward them as the race begins and they stand literally in the center of the fray, standing their ground. I saw the same thing at the Gay Freedom Day Parade-the gays, for instance, appear to be more Christian than the Christians. Ain't life wonderful. God bless America.

Bay To Breakers

Maybe the fundamentalists are from some sect that requires them to profess “the truth” in this manner, a kind of living Watchtower (Jehovah Witnesses). I simply don’t know.

If one is a Christian, then who could object to what the signs say? Not I, but the Bay to Breakers is simply too crazy a venue.

What do they expect to achieve? I don't think they are going to get any converts. Here they are at the Bay to Breakers, a gigantic expression of living art, with every profane reprobate, based on one’s view, that is known to mankind.

The participants in the race are hedonistic, masochistic (who would torture themselves by running seven miles) in the best of circumstances?" So, do the fundamentalists think they can reach these people for the gospel? How misguided, without criticizing, is this sort of thinking?

The crowd merely tolerated. I venture to say, that in our secular world, of which the Bay to Breakers is a good example, the fundamentalists hurt their cause more than they help. They come across as judgemental, crazy, and just plain kooky. So, there you have it.