2011 Bay to Breakers Wrap Up & A Look Forward to 2012

Thanks to everyone who came out to Bay to Breakers on Sunday and helped make a great 100th celebration. We asked you to show up, and you did. En masse. And you enjoyed yourself as much as you could, under the quasi-restrictive circumstances.

We saw incredible costumes, knucklehead bibs, strollers, wheeled objects, drinking and partying, all to celebrate our community, our city and our right to have fun.

Neighborhood complaints are down significantly and many Panhandle residents found the fencing and restrictions on music to be too draconian and want them reversed. We look forward to their help and more music in the streets next year.

What we fought for that worked

Fencing at Hayes and Divisidero. Last year, the majority of neighborhood complaints came not from the Panhandle but from neighbors in surrounding areas who saw the crowd spill into their neighborhoods because AEG had inadequately barricaded the bottom of Hayes at Divisadero. This year there was solid fencing guiding people from Hayes onto Divisadero, resulting in an elimination of past problems.

Shorter lines at porta potties. We finally got AEG to provide six-man urinals, and it made the difference. We observed no lines or minimal lines to use the facilities, and reports of public urination plummeted. There were, however, many complaints among race participants that the potties in the Panhandle were impossible to access, because the entire park side of the Panhandle was fenced. We need a more sensible placement or elimination of the park side fencing to provide access to the potties and the park.  

What still needs to change

More Toilets. The number of porta potties needs to increase dramatically. AEG claimed to have increased the number of toilets from 811 in 2010 to 1226 in 2011, but AEG also insists that they provide resources only for registrants. Given that registration increased from 33,000 in 2010 to 55,000 in 2011, the toilets provided per registrant actually went down.

In 2010, there was one toilet per 41 registrants. In 2011 there was one toilet per 45 registrants–a decrease.

7am start.  All this did is make it colder out with less spectators. Bad idea. Let’s go back to 8am or even 9am. 

Drunk tent scare tactics. The drunk tent stories that were splashed all over the pre-race headlines were pure publicity stunt courtesy of Sam Singer. The only tents on the course were the Red Cross medical aid stations there every year. 

Alcohol ban. Another publicity stunt. No surprise that this proved impossible to enforce once again. We thank the cops for being cool as usual and as expected. 

Float ban. Given that alcohol was as present as ever, how would the presence of floats be harmful? The float ban must be lifted so that creativity and pageantry can be restored.

Overkill on the fencing. The fencing did help in many ways, but blocking the toilets on Fell Street was senseless, as was blocking residents from crossing Fell Street to go home and get to work (also illegal). Closing off Alamo Square Park was completely unnecessary and over the top. This is the best spectator spot on the route.

Where was the music? We heard a total of four bands on the entire 7.46 course. That’s it?! AEG limited the number in order to reduce partying while making the four shut down at around 11am, before most people could even hear them. The city also only issued 9 sound permits for the entire day.

What is this, Footloose? People can’t dance in the streets in San Francisco? 

Cap on registration.  AEG punished loyal participants who wanted to register in the last few weeks, but couldn’t because they capped registration. Adding insult to injury, AEG threatened anyone who showed up without a bib with “legal action”. Another publicity stunt.

Registration fee too high.  If it’s lower, more people will pay it, without coercion tactics such as a cap and threats of legal action. We like $15 or $20.

Major goals for 2012 B2B

1. Bring back the floats
2. Bring back the bands and let them play
3. Move the start time back to a reasonable hour
4. Remove registration cap and lower fees
5. Return this event to the control of a local non-profit

We can attain these goals. Bay to Breakers is embarking on a brand new century. Stay with us as we continue to fight for the spirit of Bay to Breakers and thank you for your continued support.

2011 Bay to Breakers Survival Guide

We gave you our Top 10 Things to Remember for Bay to Breakers 100, now we’ve made a Bay to Breakers Survival Guide for you to print and stick in your shoe!

Know your rights and what to bring. Our handy guide will help get you in the gates, keep you out of the “tents” and guide you to the nearest watering hole for replenishment. And remember, if you get lost, click your heels three times and say “Panhandle, Panhandle, Panhandle.”

Have fun out there guys! Go big, go strong.

Download the CPBB 2011 Bay to Breakers Survival Guide here.

Is Your B2B Costume a Registered Runner? New "Knucklehead" Race Bibs Available Now

Click here to download in PDF format

Click here to download in editable PSD format

Click here to see the official Zazzle Bay to Breakers race bib

Also available in these convenient colors:

PDF | PSD (editable)

PDF 

How to Install an Interactive Bay to Breakers Booze Map for your iPhone

Get the booze map on your iPhone today, and be ready for Sunday! Just follow these easy steps to install a launcher on your iPhone home screen that will open a Google map with convenience stores already plotted on your map. It will show you the closest spot for instant refreshment.

Click to read more ...

Bibgate 2011: CPBB Censored by AEG and Facebook

Bibgate 2011Two days ago, we posted a story entitled “Check Out B2B’s #1 Trending Costume - “Faux” Race Bibs”. By the end of the day, Facebook had pulled it from our Wall saying:

“We have removed or disabled access to the following content that you have posted on Facebook because we received a notice from a third party that the content infringes or otherwise violates their rights”

So, we called our lawyers, constitutional and intellectual property law experts, and it turns out we did not violate any third party’s intellectual property or copyright by posting a link to this year’s Bay to Breakers race bib and making our own version.

Take that AEG. Oh yeah, and you too Facebook.

Fortunately, we still had a screenshot of all the comments and likes with the original post and downloadable Knucklehead bibs for your own bib making needs.

Bibgate 2011, out.  

Stop Having Fun Over There. We’re Serious…Your Smiles Will Be Noted

We’ve been trying to ignore this because it’s stupid, but fine, we’ll take the bait. 

AEG, at least as far as we can tell it’s AEG*, is running a shadow website trying to publicize their new B2B prohibitions.  (We’d link to it if it was remotely worth your time.)  The headline is: “Bay to Breakers—A Serious Race.”

Seriously?   If ever you doubted how truly out of touch AEG is with the event it manages, let this be your proof. 

From its inception after the 1906 earthquake, Bay to Breakers set out to lift the spirits of the City.  It is designed to celebrate San Francisco, to be fun and creative and diverse.  That diversity includes many elite runners who take it seriously but also thousands of others who just want to enjoy the City on a Sunday morning. 

Serious is for Mondays, or tax forms, or the end of “Full House” episodes when Bob Saget gives a life lesson.     

The world is serious enough.  Bay to Breakers is fun.  It’s San Franciscan.

AEG, you don’t understand this event and you don’t deserve it.  It’s time for you to go.  On that point, we are serious.         

*It has been suggested in the media that some phantom, unnamed government department made this site.  We find that funny.  

a. A crude link to sfgov.org does not make a site government operated.  (Nor does the .com domain, but hey who’s counting?) 
b. As taxpayers, we refuse to believe our government would create a website so crappy. 
c. Check out SFCitizen’s take on the site here.

Ok, ok, if curiosity gets the best of you, here’s the site.  It’s like Lemon Party only not funny.   

Top 10 Things to Remember for Bay to Breakers 100

1. Show Up.

Race organizer AEG has tried to scare you off with bullshit rumors about this, that and the other thing. Don’t let them win.

2. Dress Up…Or Don’t Dress at All.

It’s true! Costumes bring out the debauchery in us. So does nudity. 

3. Party.

B2B is a huge party. A celebration of the spirit of San Francisco. Don’t let some company from L.A. tell you what to do in our city. Celebrate responsibly, respect the neighbors, and take care of yourself and your friends. Then go big!

4. Follow Us On Twitter.

Stay in the know on Sunday with Twitter @saveB2B . Follow the best entry points, rowdiest parties, protests, salmon runs, alcohol checkpoints, etc.

5. Liquid Discretion.

CamelBak, flask, klean kanteen, backpack, beer belly, wine rack, etc. Just be cool and so will the SFPD.

6. Know Your Rights.

Know your rights and use them. Politely recite your rights to any authority, and if they deny them or treat you with disrespect, document the situation using photos, videos, witnesses, etc. Upload via Twitter and Facebook. 

Here’s a list of your rights:

a. Race Course Entry.

It is illegal for AEG or the police to prevent you from entering any street or sidewalk. According to the City of San Francisco (ISCOTT) Conditions For Temporary Use of Streets:

“The temporary use or occupancy of a public street shall not unnecessarily obstruct or bar public access onto said street. Sidewalks shall remain open at all times for pedestrian use unless closure of the sidewalk is provided for by resolution of the Board of Supervisors explaining the reasons for such closure.” 

(see page 5 of ISCOTT rules for Temporary Street Closure revised 7/2008)

The Board of Supervisors has passed no such resolution. 

b. Police Search.

Do not consent to a police search. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Don’t give police a reason to search you, and then they can’t. If they ask, just say NO, politely.

c. Police Arrest.

Drinking in public is not an arrestable offense. It is punishable only by confiscation and/or fine.

(Article 1 Section 21 SF Police Code)

d. Sobering Tents. 

Sobering tents are illegal. In order for them to qualify under California law as a legal treatment facility, they must be open for at least 72 hours and certified by the state. If the police take you to a sobering tent, call a lawyer. In order to be taken into protective custody (a drunk tank), a person must be:

“unable to exercise care for his or her own safety or the safety of others.” 

(Section 647(f) of the California Penal Code)

e. Confiscation of Alcohol.

Unopened alcohol containers cannot be confiscated by the police. Be discreet. 

7. Refill.

Save our handy Bay to Breakers Booze Map to your My Maps in Google Maps on your smartphone and it’ll lead you to the closest purveyor of your favorite spirits.

8. What You Should Bring.

Besides the good stuff? Water, something warm, rain jacket, comfy shoes, phone, sunscreen, hat, money, muni pass, happiness.

9. When All Else Fails.

Close your eyes, click your heels three times and say, “Panhandle, Panhandle, Panhandle”. It’s always the best party.

10. Respect The Neighborhoods.

Pee in a potty. Poo in a potty. Recycle. Pick up trash. Thank the neighbors along the route for hosting such a great event. Make sure your friends do the same.

I'm Not Registered for Bay to Breakers, Can I Still Go?

Yes!

According to ISCOTT, the city agency responsible for approving street closures, no temporary use of a public street may obstruct or bar public access onto that street. Which means that no police officer, security guard, volunteer or AEG henchman can stop you from getting on the sidewalks or streets this Sunday anywhere along the route.

Here is the specific language from ISCOTT’s TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE FILING INFORMATION (Revised 7/2008) regulations (page 5 section I.B.):

“B. The temporary use or occupancy of a public street shall not unnecessarily obstruct or bar public access onto said street. Sidewalks shall remain open at all times for pedestrian use unless closure of the sidewalk is provided for by resolution of the Board of Supervisors explaining the reasons for such closure.”

Well, in this case, of course, the Board of Supervisors has NOT provided a resolution for a complete closure, which means that anyone can enter any of the streets or sidewalks freely, without registration or “race bib”, on Sunday.

You can download the full document and regulations here.

In addition, it is against City regulations for AEG to place any barriers/fences in an intersection or crosswalk (page 5 section I.C.):

“C. No object of any nature shall be placed or maintained within any intersection or pedestrian crosswalk, nor shall any vehicle be permitted to be parked in such areas. All curb ramps shall remain clear of any obstructions.”

Sorry AEG, those fences you say you’re building are actually illegal.

Uh oh, AEG, looks like you’ve broken the rules all over the place. You’re great at making rules but immune to following them?

ISCOTT (Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation) is the San Francisco city agency who overseas permit applications for street closures, and the only actual approval process required by the city for AEG to host Bay to Breakers. Visit their website for more information.

Twitter Twitter Twitter on Sunday

Track the best parties, avoid checkpoints, join a salmon run, find a protest, post photos of illegal searches at Sunday’s Bay to Breakers through our Twitter feed @saveB2B and be sure to tag us in anything B2B related. Here are the deets:

Twitter: @saveB2B        Twitpic: @saveB2B

Post photos/video to our Twitpic:

1) Download a Twitter Client for your phone: Twitter for iPhone, Twitter for Blackberry, Twitter for Android

-or-

2) Upload media via email: saveB2B.5000@twitpic.com

You can use the Subject line of the email to send a message along with your upload.

2011 Save Bay to Breakers Protest Letters

Many of you have taken the time to write AEG and local officials to voice your discontent with AEG’s efforts to ruin Bay to Breakers. We have uploaded some of your letters to our site for everyone to read. Keep applying pressure folks.

Here’s a good one:

I live in the Lower Haight and am buying property in NOPA - I love my neighborhood and I love Bay to Breakers.  It is an amazing tribute to San Francisco and all the good it stands for in the world.   

The race organizers have cynically sought to destroy that spirit, rather than work with the citizens to make it an even better event.  Many people would be willing to contribute money to fund port-a-potties and clean up, for example.  Why hasn’t that negotiation happened?  Because the organizers have a political and religious agenda bent on squashing San Francisco’s tolerance and openness.  Don’t be complicit in that agenda.

Sincerely,

Engaged Haight resident

Read many more 2011 Bay to Breakers protest letters here.

2011 Bay to Breakers Booze Map (Google Maps)

Yes, we know. This is what you all have been waiting for. Well, courtesy of the folks at Google and our friend Joe at Exercise While Intoxicated, we have created an online interactive booze map for your pleasure and convenience. Also thanks to sfist for reposting Joe’s genius.

Find the 2011 Bay to Breakers Booze map here. Save it to your favorites and access it on your phone day of the race.

How to Hide Booze at 2011 Bay to Breakers (Article)

Since “discretion” isn’t a four letter word, we feel it’s appropriate to provide a link to this brilliant article on booze discretion for the centennial Bay to Breakers. Read (or wear) at your own risk… We particularly liked the wine “rack”.

Article: How To Hide Booze at Bay to Breakers

According to AOL, the Wine Rack is already a Breast Seller

Check out B2B's #1 Trending Costume - "Faux" Race Bibs

Word on the street is that this year’s #1 trending costume for the 100th Bay to Breakers is…wait for it…dressing up as a registered runner. Yes, you too can dress up as a “registered runner” printing your very own faux bib at home (or Kinko’s). Your timing chip won’t work, of course, but hey, who said you would be trying to make record time carrying that keg over the Hayes Street hill anyway?

The 2011 Zazzle Bay to Breakers race bibs were recently sent out and high resolution scans and photographs of the bibs are starting to appear on Google. See some here and here. More are sure to appear soon. Creative knuckleheads are printing their own faux bibs as part of their costumes or recreating the bibs in Photoshop with funny numbering and new sponsors.

Who knows, you might see bibs sponsored by the likes of The Armory, Martha Cohen Unpresents and Gavin Newsom For… (oh wait, he never registered) Chief Knucklehead. Heads up. Costumes on, people. Let’s party.

“Faux” B2B Race bib in Photoshop format (with layers) and PDF format.

Update on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 4:14PM by CPBB

Bibgate 2011: AEG and Facebook censored this post, but we were lucky to have a screenshot of the comments before they removed it.

San Francisco's Most Wanted Fun Killer: Philip Anschutz

We warned you back in 2010 about AEG owner and billionaire anti-gay activist Philip Anschutz’s plan to destroy Bay to Breakers. As you’ve witnessed, he hasn’t let up. Well, word on the street is that Mr. Fun Kill Anschutz will be in our town for this year’s centenial Bay to Breakers, and running in the event. Kind of reminds us of that time Bill Gates was cream pied when he showed up in an unwelcome town.

In honor of Phil gracing us with his presence, we have made limited edition t-shirts in his honor, available, of course, on our favorite custom t-shirt site Zazzle. Get your limited edition Philip Anshutz Wanted t-shirt here. And don’t forget, when you see this guy on the race course on Sunday, to give him a piece of your mind, San Francisco style.

WANTED: Philip Anschutz. by savebay2breakers
See more Save T-Shirts

Update on Monday, May 9, 2011 at 10:32PM by CPBB

Uh oh…we’ve been censored! It has been reported by a CPBB constituent at 10:20 PM PDT that our “Wanted: Philip Anschutz” t-shirt has been permanently removed by Zazzle. Zazzle! What’s the point of sponsoring this event if you’re not gonna sell some t-shirts? 

Anyhoo, fortunately we retained a screenshot for your viewing pleasure. Print it and post it. Cubilcles, refrigerator doors, toilet seats, dart boards. You get the idea.

Update on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 2:14PM by CPBB

Well, apparently Zazzle has had a change of heart. Our “Wanted: Philip Anschutz Serial Fun Killer” t-shirts are now back up and available for purchase. Cream pies anyone?

Get your Zazzle Bay to Breakers “Wanted: Philip Anschutz Serial Fun Killer” t-shirts here.

AEG’s “Sobering Tents” Are A Total Farce.

Perhaps you’ve heard about AEG’s plan for “sobering tents” at B2B.  Well, there’s a reason they waited until two weeks before the event to announce this.  It is a PR stunt.

1. The SFPD reported fewer than five arrests last year.  So the notion they’ll suddenly need to create Hoovervilles for arrestees is a joke. 1

2. It is almost impossible for them to legally detain someone in such tents:        

   a) Public consumption of alcohol is not an arrestable offense. It is punishable by confiscation and/or a fine. 2a

   b) In order to be placed in protective custody (a drunk tank) a person must be “unable to exercise care for his or her own safety or the safety of others.”  The average social drinker at B2B is nowhere near that point. 2b

   c) Finally, since these “sobering tents” will not be open for 72 hours, it is not clear they even qualify as legal treatment facilities under California law. 2c 

3. AEG will be subjecting itself to potentially serious civil liability if it unlawfully detains or imprisons Bay to Breakers participants.

4. The SFPD does not have the resources to enforce this.  They will concentrate their efforts on egregious or obvious problems.  Be discreet and respect the neighborhoods and you should be fine. 

Don’t be fooled by AEG’s newest stunt.  These “sobering tents” are a last minute scare tactic from a corporation that is far better at PR than event management.

Click to read more ...