I have another weekend special for you.

Those of you in the Bay Area take note! This weekend is the annual IGN Bay to Breakers 12K footrace. Each year thousands of people turn out to participate in the race, the costume contest, and hear the winners of Battle of the Bands. It’s a family event that’s good for the body and good for the mind.

Many residents dress in costumes and participate in the fun run. After the run, Southwest Airlines sponsors a costume contest. Winners receive fantastic prizes like airline tickets for 2 anywhere SW flies. Wow.

It’s not just Superheroes. This year, 49er Manny Lawson is running for child fitness. Local schoolchildren have been running and walking in preparation for this weekend’s race. Some of those kids will be alongside Manny when he dons distinctive orange racing laces and Runs For Something Better.

Professional athletes hit the streets too. There are official race times, sponsored runners and pledge athletes, as well as something called centipede runners. Groups of children or adults must fasten to each other and wear head gear for the race. Neat, huh?

There are bands and refreshments along the course. Later in the day the stages will feature live music. I encourage all of you in the area to head out and take in the spectacle. It should be a lot of fun.

I like it when costumed individuals are welcomed in public.

Here’s just a glimpse of some the great characters that make it out to the race. Ellie Mae, Jethro, and Granny take time out from the busy life in Beverly Hills to get in some good exercise. These days you can’t go anywhere without seeing Storm Troopers in your rear view mirror. I don’t know if this group is with the 501st, but it’s a good bet. Spider-Man, Marilyn Monroe, and Jack Sparrow were there too. There are people dressed as grapes (very California don’t ya know) and bistro tables. I liked these last two guys. I don’t know if there was a third member getting a drink or not, but I dub them the Two Amigos.

I wonder who will show up this year?

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Tags: bay to breakers, costume contest, race

This entry was posted on Friday, May 16th, 2008 at 2:03 pm and is filed under Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.