Bay to Breakers is the new awesome

San Francisco throws a lot of signature events, and Bay to Breakers is one of them.

I am sure it started out all innocent - just your standard fun-run that began at the Bay and traversed the 7 or so miles across San Francisco to the ocean. But there was no way that San Francisco would just host a boring old run across the city. There is not enough nudity involved in that. So now you still have to run across the city, but you can just wear silly costumes while you do it.

Even though the official Bay to Breakers website rules say: "For everyone's safety and enjoyment NO ALCOHOL or NUDITY is allowed and there will be ALCOHOL CHECKPOINTS along the course" there was not one sober person there. This is the one day every year that apparently it is socially acceptable to get drunk before noon, and wear little to no clothing. Most groups come dressed in a theme of some sort, and many of them push "floats" that go along with their costumes, but are really just creative ways to bring a keg along.

favorite group costume ideas?

well. since it was Sunday, it seemed appropriate that Noah's Ark showed up.


And the Jesus Loves You man left his normal post at Union Square and came to march as well.


Team Zissou and their little submarine is always a winner


Wheres Waldo is a given


Some people came wearing only paint:


and some people came wearing less than that:


one of the more impressive floats was this huge trojan horse with some guys in feathered hats sitting on top


and the smurf village was pretty impressive as well


gargamel was sitting in the mushroom, spinning some tunes. You might not be able to tell, but the mushroom has little spigots built into the side that beer came out of.


my personal favorite was the Bill and Ted's excellent adventure phone booth on wheels. brilliant.


and if i had gotten a photo of the Elvis walking around in JUST his black wig and blue suede shoes, you would really know how great this was. I am going to get a group together next year, so please start brainstorming some group costumes.