Welcome back to Racing Bizarre, where we take a deep dive into the most outlandish and unconventional races from around the world. If you’ve ever dreamed of running a race where the competition isn’t about the fastest time but about the most ludicrous costume, then San Francisco’s Bay to Breakers is the race for you. In July every year, 70,000 people and that’s just the ones who’ve paid, racing (and walking, and crawling) across San Francisco in outfits that range from superhero get-ups to birthday suits, all while dodging flying tortillas, and possibly a centipede made up of 13 people strapped together by a bungee cord. Yes, you read that right.
Starting from the Bay and finishing at the breakers of Ocean Beach, this 12-kilometre fiesta of fun is a testament to everything that is wonderfully absurd about the City by the Bay. And the best part? You don’t even have to be a runner to participate. Bay to Breakers is, at its heart, more of a mobile street party than an athletic competition. Just ask the thousands who decide to ditch running in favour of making it more of a ‘walk-of-shame’... but in costume.
A Race Like No Other
Let’s talk about the history of this madness. It all started in 1912, not as a madcap costume contest, but as a way to lift the spirits of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake had left the city in rubble. Sure, no one could predict that this would lead to the world’s largest footrace for over 100 years running. In 1986, a whopping 110,000 participants showed up, with about half of them being bandits (people who hadn’t actually registered). At this point, the term “race” is used loosely. Some of the competition is for the fastest runners, sure, but the real winners are the folks sporting the most ridiculous outfits. Superheroes, marching bands, people dressed as salmon swimming upstream, Bay to Breakers is more of a giant, moving, and slightly chaotic Mardi Gras than a traditional footrace.
The Costumes: Not Just For the Elite
You’re not going to show up to this race in your Sunday best running gear, no. Oh no. This is the place where normal attire doesn’t exist. Forget proper running shoes, show up in a dinosaur suit, and you’re set. You’ll see everything from a herd of Blues Brothers to Salmon, and even the odd naked runner who’s taking “Bare to Breakers” just a bit too literally. Yes, in San Francisco, public nudity laws go on hold just for this event. When you’re running 12km through a city known for its quirks, the costume is far more important than your pace.
The Centipedes: Are You Kidding Me?
Let’s talk about the centipedes, and no, we’re not talking about the creepy crawly things from your garden. At Bay to Breakers, “centipedes” are groups of 13 runners, tethered together by a bungee cord or some other “safe mechanism,” and running the full course in unison. This wasn’t just some random idea that came out of a drunken brainstorming session. The tradition, which started in the late ‘70s, is as competitive as it is absurd. In fact, the 2011 record-breaking team from LinkedIn (yes, that LinkedIn) ran the course in 37 minutes, beating the overall women’s winner by two minutes. They might have been tethered together, but their speed was anything but “centipede-like.”
Tortillas, Flying and Otherwise
Now, what’s a race without a few traditions, right? Bay to Breakers has one that’s truly out of left field, the tortilla toss. Yes, while waiting for the start line to open, participants (the kind who actually have the sense to be early) toss tortillas into the air for no particular reason other than it’s fun. Think of it like a Mexican version of balloon batting at rock concerts, but with far more carbs. (Pro tip: Don’t eat the tortillas off the ground. We’ve all been there.)
Alcohol and Bandits: Two Sides of the Same Coin
While race officials have cracked down on alcohol (this is a family-friendly race now, thank you very much), it wasn’t always so tame. At one point, you could float down the course with a keg in tow. Those days are gone, but that doesn’t mean the spirit of a rogue booze-runner is. In fact, the mayor of San Francisco was once a notorious race bandit (read: unregistered participant). So, don’t be surprised if you spot someone joining in without a bib number, they’re part of the Bay to Breakers charm.
Running Backwards (Literally)
In what can only be described as one of the most ‘San Francisco’ things to do, some runners don’t even bother going from the start to the finish. They run the course backwards, from the finish line to the start line, dressed as salmon. Yes, that’s right, salmon. This is a well-established tradition, and though it defies the basic principles of racing, it does guarantee plenty of high-fives from delighted spectators. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to run against the tide while dressed as a fish?
A Race for Everyone, Even the Nudists
Bay to Breakers is also a race where no one is left out, in fact, participation isn’t even restricted to runners. It’s a party on the go, where costumes are not only encouraged but are practically required. If running is not your thing, feel free to waddle the 12km route dressed as a muppet, bowling pin, or the Pink Gorilla, the mascot of pure chaos. And let’s not forget the annual “bare” streakers who delight in making everything about the race just that little bit more awkward for everyone else.
Wrapping Up: The Race That Redefines What It Means To Be A Race
In the end, Bay to Breakers isn’t about crossing the finish line first. It’s about the party, the fun, and the absolute weirdness that ensues when you mix running with San Francisco’s unmatchable brand of freedom. So, whether you’re sporting a tuxedo, a banana costume, or running entirely in your birthday suit, one thing’s for sure: you’ll never forget your Bay to Breakers experience. And no, it’s not just about running – it’s about making sure you have the best costume, the most fun, and, of course, the most ridiculous memories to last a lifetime.
So assemble your bungee cords, your salmon costume, and don’t forget your tortillas, it’s time for Bay to Breakers. The race where even crossing the finish line is just a side note.