Anyone running Bay to Breakers?

May 16, 2008 2:56 PM

Anyone running Bay to Breakers?

I was contemplating running (well, some running, some walking) the Bay to Breakers this weekend (in San Francisco). Any MeFites planning on running it? I would be more motivated if I actually could meet up with someone before and/or after.

posted by GuyZero to MetaFilter Gatherings at 2:56 PM (16 comments total)

"Running" in the sense that I'll be on the course at some point or another, though I don't plan to go any faster than the keg. You'll be able to recognize me from the blazing whiteness of my upper thighs.
posted by carsonb at 4:40 PM on May 16, 2008

Seriously, I'm not sure what exactly our plans are, except that we're winding up in the park. You're welcome to join up at any point, me/email me if you want my contact info.
posted by carsonb at 4:43 PM on May 16, 2008

I'll also be part of a kegger entourage. Still deciding between 3 costume ideas.
posted by junesix at 5:00 PM on May 16, 2008

I knew there were costumes but there's a keg? Woah. I'm starting to get the feeling that if I show up in running shoes and shorts I might look out of place. Now I'm confused. If I actually treat this as a 12k race will I look like a freak?
posted by GuyZero at 5:27 PM on May 16, 2008

Naw, I'm pretty sure it's an actual marathon that you can register for and everything. The enormous street party happens in the wake of the runners, and in the park at the end. At one point some of my friends were planning on actually running in the race, then doubling back to join up with the party patrol. As for attire, my impression was that if you show up in anything other than your birthday suit you damn well better look like a freak.
posted by carsonb at 5:35 PM on May 16, 2008

Ahem, I've been corrected: 12k race, not a Marathon.
posted by carsonb at 5:37 PM on May 16, 2008

Bay to Breakers kind of sorts itself out. At the front, it's a race, in the middle, it's a parade, and in the back, it's a party.
posted by aubilenon at 6:11 PM on May 16, 2008 [1 favorite]

I just found out I'm going to Oysterfest tomorrow afternoon too, so same rules apply if anyone else going wants to hang out or say, Hi I know you from the Internet, or anything.
posted by carsonb at 7:26 PM on May 16, 2008

What? Oysterfest? What exactly is "Oysterfest" and how do I sigh up?
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posted by The Light Fantastic at 1:45 AM on May 17, 2008

um, how do I sign up...sorry, oysters make me crazy.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 1:49 AM on May 17, 2008

Ugh, I always miss Bay to Breakers! Last year my friends brought up the back, and proceeded to gorge themselves on beer and waffles. Beer and waffles!!!! It sounded glorious.

It is on the same weekend every year? When is it next year (so I can put it in my calendar immediately)?
posted by numinous at 1:52 AM on May 17, 2008

B2B is the third Sunday of May, every year. I'm abashed that I hadn't heard of oysterfest, but then again I just left my cell phone in the back of a cab so I'm not getting much word from anyone right now.
posted by ooga_booga at 3:53 AM on May 17, 2008

SF OysterFest
Music, food, etc. at Fort Mason all afternoon. There's a door charge, I guess. I'm only going this afternoon, but it's going on tomorrow too.
posted by carsonb at 9:53 AM on May 17, 2008

I'll be watching from The Couch, near the SE corner of Alamo Square, if you need a place to stop for a breakfast cocktail before cresting the Hayes Street Hill. Look for loud people in pajamas.
posted by obloquy at 2:51 AM on May 18, 2008

So I decided not to run which was just as well and I was too lazy/shy to try to find Meta-people in Alamo Square (uh, hi Stranger, are you from, uh, MetaFilter?). Thanks for the heads up on the party/parade element of the event. By my count:

- Number of nude guys: 5 (maybe 6?)
- Topless women: 2
- Most kegs on one float: 7
- Number of Viking Longboats: 3
- Official Fabric of Bay to Breakers '08: gold lamé
- Most Obscure Video Game Character Costume: Waluigi
- NHL Teams represented: San Jose Sharks, Hartford Whalers

I now have a full year to prepare for the next one which is about as much time as I need to find a team/make a costume/learn to run drunk.
posted by GuyZero at 5:06 PM on May 18, 2008

We joined the parade with the Daft Punk float, foundered around the Love Boat for a while near Alamo square, and got distracted by prospects of food by the panhandle. The free Absinthe kinda topped things off for me, but the nap 'til now has helped. More stats:

- No. of people pissing or vomiting on any given tree: 3
- Ass-grabbers: 18
- Dutchies passed and never seen again: 7
posted by carsonb at 5:42 PM on May 18, 2008