Nudity, beer won't be tolerated at Bay to Breakers race, officials say

Crowds probably will be down for the 98th running of San Francisco's wacky Bay to Breakers race, thanks to prudish city officials and race sponsors who this week announced that they will ban floats, nudity and beer-drinking during the May 17 event.

The Bay to Breakers race typically lures thousands, and many come in costume, or with little or no clothing, and most come for the festive and ridiculous atmosphere. Now police say they will physically remove floats and shopping carts carrying kegs. They'll also arrest people who are drinking or appear tipsy and closely monitor the skimpiness-level of clothing.

Reason for the crackdown: Residents along the route have simply had enough. Said one neighborhood association president to the San Francisco Chronicle:

"People were vomiting, drinking and throwing trash along the route. The Panhandle itself was trashed, and the neighborhood around the Panhandle was trashed. Residents were shocked at the disrespect people showed."

Said a longtime participant from Seattle, who is canceling her plans to attend and run in a toga: "No one's going to visit for a standard G-rated parade. People don't travel to cities just for footraces. The spirit's just gone."

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: The race in 2002.

Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Mike Brown]

I can understand the disquiet re alcohol and peeing in the street and certainly this should be undressed but leave the nudists alone, they are harming no-one and outdoor running and walking clothesfree should be encouraged and allowed, it is our natural state and far more comfortable and healthier than wearing sticky sweaty clothes and fun for all! What next, going to ban nudity on the World Naked Bike rides? Lets be adult and logical, simple nudity/painted bodies harm no-one!

[Ace]

Leave the nudists alone!

[Runner on the right]

Honestly, I'm quite offended by this article, especially since this picture was previously posted in 2002 with a quote underneath "Wacky runners in California" ... a positive quote depicting the positive spirit of B2B. Another thing I'm quite annoyed at, is that I am the runner on the right and have had been in no contact with LA Times or have given them the rights to post this picture on the web, or for it to be attached to such a negative article. Just know that we were not drinking and we were only there to have fun. If you take that away, you will lose the essence to what B2B is all about.

[lloyd fisher]

Ive been hearing about the trash and floats and vomating drunks but what damage is the nudity causing?

[Elizabeth]

AnneB, I would like to see you describe your feelings of "being raped" to someone who's actually been sexually assaulted. The descriptor you chose to illustrate your biased view is quite insulting. In fact, your entire barrage of statements made me feel uncomfortable while reading them. You were shaking for an hour after walking a few blocks? Maybe you shouldn't live in SF, there's an idea. Have you been out during any of their famous festivals? The LOVE fest? There weren't naked people gallivanting through the streets? Your argument in favor of the b2b crackdown is unsound to say the least.

[sliding]

I travel across the country to race, then to enjoy the party. I'm glad I've never witnessed the horrors now being described, what I've experienced has been so much fun. I'll be racing again this year, maybe in a costume, and I definitely won't get drunk. To me, B2B is like the medieval Feast of Fools, one day in the year to get crazy to let off steam, then resume life in the mainstream lane. It's a rich kaleidoscope of humanity celebrating like. Want to see it athletic, crazy, safe, fun, all things good. Want to see it get cleaned up of the grossness, and by that I'm not suggesting the nudes put their clothes back on -- they're one of the best parts of the spectacle! Where else but in SF? God bless America!

[AnneB]

I love the B2B tradition as much as anyone and show up every year with friends to cheer it on, but the folks who are romanticizing the drunks at the event don't appreciate what a nightmare it has become. No, I'm not like "the only sober kid at a party". No, last year was not a simple drunken romp. I live in a neighborhood the race passes and I could only describe my experience last year as feeling raped. I'm a very tough cookie, and was shaking for an hour after just walking the few blocks from the grocery. It is not hyperbole to call it traumatic to have thousands of out-of control young adults feel free to do anything they want anywhere they want.

Since when has freedom been entirely divorced from responsibility. Why blame those of us who were held hostage by bad behavior; why don't you blame the folks who took advantage of our SF openness to ruin it for others who just want to have fun.

Unbelievably vile and disrespectful acts were performed by young men and "girls-gone-wild" young women by 10 am in front of stunned, homeless folks who would have been hauled away for the same. And let's be honest, the defenders know if this same "good-time" had been acted out by even a handful of Black or Latino kids, the riot squad would have been out. I have a hard time believing all the talk of vomit and pee equals liberation would tolerate hundreds of those kids passed out in urine in their neighborhood and doorway.

[EdwardSF]

Citizens for the Preservation of Bay2Breakers
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=74986731616
http://www.savebay2breakers.org
http://www.twitter.com/saveb2b

[Kristine Hawkins]

People want to move to San Francisco because it's different, it's diverse, and anything goes. And when they move here, they want to change it...
Events like Bay to Breakers are what defines SF and distinguishes it from other cities. Maybe those who have issue with B2B should take a weekend trip or shut the shades for the day. Let the rest of us play!

[Save B2B]

Thank you, Mr. Wood. I agree with Thomas. I'm actually a resident of Orange County, CA, and was invited last year by a few friends to join their 100-person team. It was one of those life changing experiences that I'm really glad I got to participate in. I was pretty shocked to see that the rules are being changed this year. I hope that the SF police dept don't formally side with these City officials because it'll be tragic for so many enthused revellers as well as serious runners who engage in the festivites after racing.

[Weiner Head]

Most of the people in the race should have left their clothes on anyway. Who wants to look at old/young mens wrinkly butts anyway?

[john]

This event has turned into a love in for gays. Keep your children away. San Fran Freako has been taken over by druggies, winos and hookers.

[JamesM]

The drinking and behavioral problems have to be curbed. It's a running race not a beer parade. Save your consumption of beer until after you have finished the race.

The race and runners should all aim to leave the streets reasonably clean, which means sweeping up the paper cups used at the water stops. This the volunteers do now anyway.

The nudity and painted bodies is not a problem, it's is part of the colorful tradition.

Leave the nudes alone, they are not hurting anyone and they are not normally the drunk or unruly ones.

If the race is going to try to enforce no nudity then they need to approach some of the nude running groups who participate and work out exactly why and what the rules might be. Groups like "bare to breakers".

For example if the rule was for that thongs and topless were ok, but not full nudity, some of the orgnized groups might go along with that.

[Thomas Wood]

I've been a san francisco resident for about 6 years, and part of the reason I felt good about moving here from Southern California was Bay to Breakers. We've had friends from LA and around the world come up to enjoy this event. When I describe San Francisco, I use Bay to Breakers as an example, perhaps THE example. It's an event where thousands of people get together square, hip, young and old. People are naked or drunk or costumed, some even run. And everyone is safe, and nobody gets hurt. When have you ever heard of a massively successful public party where there's no fights, no arrests, where people smile and cheers each other in the street. What other event has respectible citizens enjoying a pleasant, once-a-year drunken walk with friends, where you can raise your cup to a friendly police officer in mutual respect, and they nod back, politely, where people hand out sunscreen, enjoy the park, and take a triumphant dive in the ocean at its finish.

I'm 26, hardworking in the medical field, a supporter of taxes, voting, and personal responsability as a proud citizen. I understand the concerns of the residents affected by this event, and even understand the perspectives of those feeling generally put out by people enjoying a drunken stumble. It's disheartening, downright inconvenient to be the sober kid at any party. I'm one of thousands, respectable citizens of a pretty liberal town, who cherish this event. Citizens of my ilk feel disrespected, and discounted by the brash and severe proposals. It's just so easy to side with the "concerned citzen." I believe it's important to support a bit of the rowdy side too. We can deal with this resonably without patronizing anyone, without falling back to the shields of "safety" or even "decency."

The issue should have been kept simple and adult. Last year, people were messy, it was a big hassle, and a real disappointment for those of us who support the good, clean fun (which can include drinks). Adults like to get drunk, like to be a little rowdy, and need to pee. The adult decision here would have been to promote race registration, which pays for cleanup, have donation sites for cleanup, and put up extra toilet and trach facilities along those areas in which residents feel most inconvenienced.

[Greg F.]

I arrived late for the 2008 event and took some photos from the sidewalk before joining in.
I was in the rear section of the crowd and there were many drunken student-aged participants who created an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous event. There is a need for control of the drunkenness. That is dangerous.
The nudity is a whole different thing. Trying to stop it would incite lawsuits in this area.

[kooskia]

I have watched the race for a couple decades, first from South of Market district (near the start) where I once lived, then near the Golden Gate Park Panhandle area (mid course) since 2000, where I we reside. The last two years were absolutely the worst in every dimension. Yes I finally complained and now I'm glad that at least officially, there is acknowledgement of the problem it has become. For everyone yowling about ING killing off a San Francisco tradition - do you really think that the run would have lasted 97 years with this much chaos? Will there be drinking any way? Yes, and who cares... Just a limit on the raging blackout drunks, hurling alcohol poisoned college kids and blind drunk peeing and pooping. B2B needs a reboot.

[Jason Butts]

First the Castro on Holloween and now Bay to Breakers, what's next Gay Pride? San Francisco constitutes doing outragous things in the street and having a great time doing it. Although it is unfortunate that disorder means disregard for property, that is the nature of having it in the park. My recomendation is to bypass the panhandle if that is the issue and start it farther into the park beyond the panhandle. If that doesn't make sence and is not concidered, then perhaps our liberalism is doubling back on us we must protest.

Sincerely,

Unconditionally Free