Bay to Breakers

Lots of people running. Big whoop.

For nearly nine years I've lived just a couple of blocks off the route of the Bay to Breakers race, and I've never bothered to go see it. So this morning when I heard the helicopters, I decided to check it out.

It was kind of a disappointment.

Keep in mind that I don't run unless something is chasing me. Running is practically against my religion, or it would be if I were religious. Watching people run: not high on my thrill meter.

But Bay to Breakers is supposed to be more than just a footrace; it's supposedly more of a moving party. People in outrageous costumes and such. So I'd heard, anyway.

In reality, probably 95% of the runners were not in costume. (Of those who were, these crayons were probably my favorites.) I counted 5 or 6 guys who were really not in costume, all of whom put me in mind of Jerry Seinfeld's rule: there's good nudity, and there's bad nudity. This was not good nudity.

There are also bands along the route. Most of them were terrible, but these guys--The Meshuggas, I think--were great. [Correction: they're Meshugga Beach Party--see comments.] They did surf instrumental versions of traditional Jewish folk tunes. Think Dick Dale's cover of Hava Nagila, and you're in the right ballpark. I stayed to listen to them for a while.

Anyway, it was worth strolling over just to see what the big deal was. Now I know, and I don't have to see it again.

[That's all, folks]