Bay to Breakers 2009

[naturistoftheyear]

Just found this snippet over at the LA Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/02/nudity-wont-be.html):

No nudity this year at this year's Bay to Breakers race. Notice the problems are with drunks, not with nudes.

[Davin]

Nudity is not allowed, though police said they aren't planning to issue citations for indecent exposure." So what does that mean? It's legal, no citations will be issued, but it's "not allowed."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/02/12/MN5J15SA27.DTL

[LamontCranston]

From http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...MN5J15SA27.DTL (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/02/12/MN5J15SA27.DTL)
Sponsors last year put 500 Porta Potties along the route, 100 more than the previous year. But still, participants relieved themselves anywhere, including the sides of buildings, front yards and throughout Golden Gate Park. Mayor Gavin Newsom beseeched the group before the race to clean up after itself, but sponsors say 35 tons of trash - including huge floats - were left behind.
...
But fans of the race weren't buying the claim that Bay to Breakers will retain any of its heart or flair. At least one blog, a Web site and four Facebook groups were formed Wednesday to protest the changes. One Facebook group called "SAVE the BAY to BREAKERS!!!!!!!" had close to 400 members by Wednesday evening. It seems like all they need to do is cart out their own trash and use the porta-potties and they'd be all set. Simple as that. There's no need for Facebook and Web sites and protests. Just be decent human beings and respect your neighbors.

Just another example of people doing whatever they please and "THEY" are expected to pick up the mess left behind.

[luvnaturism]

I doubt that it will change much of anything with respect to nude runners. The official position of the Bay to Breakers organizers has always been that nudity is not allowed. However, it certainly has been tolerated and the spectators love the nude runners and walkers.

If the police aren't going to enforce a clothing rule, it's hard to see that anything can be done about it.

[luvnaturism]

If you read through the official Bare to Breakers website, it's pretty clear that the announcement by the race sponsors shouldn't have any effect at all on nude runners/walkers. The Bare to Breakers group participates as a demonstration in support of free speech, an activity that has already been recognized as legal.

Freedom from arrest while nude only pertains to the time when one is actually moving along the race course (between start and finish), but it has always been that way.

http://www.baretobreakers.com

[NudeAl]

Yes that is what they told us back in 2000. Once you leave the race course you need to dress to use the porta potties and what not though many did not dress and no one was arrested. I am glad I did this once however I am not so much an exhibitionist that I want to do it again though truely glad so say I did it once. I don't think this will have any effect what so ever on the nude runners in the race it will continue. I think they are going to try to crack down on the alcohol though and the behavior of the spectators is what seems to be the issue. I did see some groups pushing a keg along in a shopping cart but they were not drunk I mean if you are to stay in the race you must keep moving and that alone requires one to be somewhat sober.

[luvnaturism]

I did the run seven or eight times. It's always a lot of fun. Never did it nude, as I was always with textile friends. We saw kegs of beer being pushed along on floats every year, but never saw any participants who were unable to function, rude, obnoxious, vomiting, or otherwise problematic. I too think the problem was likely with spectators who were doing nothing but sit and drink.

In the years I participated I saw only one nude runner who was behaving badly. He was making sexually suggestive movements with his hips to the spectators. Most of them thought it was funny, but I did think that he was out of line—especially since there were children in view.

However, considering that 50,000 to 100,000 participated each year (plus similar numbers of spectators), I thought seeing only one offensive person in seven years spoke well for the crowd. I always think of the Bay to Breakers as a big, happy rolling block party. It's a family event, and a lot of fun.

[1Ace]

Hopefully they continue to allow nude runners, that's part of the whole point of this run...

[NakedGary]

<SMALL class=date>16 02 2009 </SMALL>

http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/main_home.html (http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/main_home.html)

http://bartsystems.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/btob09.jpg?w=510&h=387 (http://bartsystems.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/btob09.jpg)
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=460 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD align=right> (http://bartsystems.wordpress.com/print();)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=418 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width=400>The Race - General Information</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>May 17, 2009
Start Time: 8:00 am
USA Track & Field Certified 12K
Always the Third Sunday in May
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE INFORMATON
NEW IMPROVEMENTS AND POLICIES 2009
We have listened closely to concerns from race participants, residents along the course, and civic leaders, and in response to safety, logistical, and trash issues, we are instituting new improvements and policies to enhance the race experience for everyone involved. ING Bay to Breakers is about promoting community and giving athletes and fitness enthusiasts the chance to compete in and enjoy one of the most exhilarating and scenic footraces in the world. We’re still focused on the fun, vitality and unique culture of the race–we’re just streamlining the course and removing the hazards in order to enhance the race experience for everyone involved.
What to expect:

New corral system at the start line. The start line will be organized using corrals that are designated starting areas for participants with similar estimated finishing times. More details about the corral system are listed below.
Zero tolerance policy on alcohol. Anyone openly drinking alcohol or displaying public drunkenness will be subject to fines and prosecution.
All wheeled objects and floats are prohibited. Inappropriate equipment on the streets is dangerous and can prevent runners and walkers from completing the race in a timely manner.
Leave no footprint. Help us keep the city clean by placing your garbage and recycling in one of the many dumpsters placed along the course.
STARTLINE INSTRUCTIONS (new for 2009)
CORRAL INFORMATION
The start line will be organized using corrals, beginning with our 2009 race. Start corrals are designated starting areas for participants with similar estimated finishing times. Each start corral will have a designated number of runners. The corrals will all start at 8:00am and, although your timing chip will not start timing until the moment you cross the start line, corrals are standard race practice and will help provide a safe, fluid, and less congested start of the race. Entry points to the start area will be determined by your assigned corral. Only registered participants will be admitted to the Start and Finish areas.
How are the starting corrals assigned?
Each corral is assigned during registration by selecting your estimated finishing time. CORRALS ARE ASSIGNED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS. If you register for a corral and it is sold out, you will be moved to the next fastest available corral.
Corral Bib Color Estimated Finishing Time
A Blue under 59:00 (8:00 per mile)
B Blue under 1:15:00 (10:00 per mile)
C Lime Green under 1:30:00 (12:00 per mile)
D Lime Green under 2:00:00 (16:00 per mile)
E Yellow over 2 hours (walkers)
When should I arrive at my assigned corral?
It is recommended you arrive at your assigned corral no later than 7:15 am.
How do I find my start corral?
The entrance to your corral matches the color of your racing bib. The corral name is on the bottom left corner of your racing bib – A, B, C, D, or E. Signs will be posted indicating the entrance to each corral.
Can I run with friends in a corral other than my assigned corral?
You can run in a SLOWER corral than the one assigned, but you may not move into a faster corral.
Do seeded and sub-seeded runners need to select a corral?
No. Sub-seeded and seeded runners must submit a qualifying time and follow the instructions listed here (http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/registration/seeded.html).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
ING Bay to Breakers is a USA Track and Field certified 12K (7.46 miles). From sea level at the Embarcadero the course rises steeply along Hayes Street Hill. Around the 2.5-mile mark runners climb an 11.15% grade between Fillmore and Steiner, bringing them to the highest point in the race, approximately 215 feet above sea level. The remainder of the course gradually flows alongside the Panhandle and through Golden Gate Park.
[/URL]
Click on the map above for a larger image of the course.

RESTRICTIONS (updated for 2009)
For everyone’s safety and enjoyment NO ALCOHOL, WHEELED OBJECTS or NUDITY will be allowed. Over-sized costumes must line up at the back and cannot be wheeled objects. Additionally, no pets, roller blades, skateboards, bicycles, or plastic bags for warm-ups are allowed on course.




<SMALL class=postmetadata>Comments : [URL="http://bartsystems.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/bay-bare-to-breakers-foot-race-san-francisco-may-17th-2009-no-nudity/#respond"]No Comments » (http://bartsystems.wordpress.com/launchPopupRaceMapPrintable();)</SMALL>
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<SMALL class=postmetadata>Categories : Nude Events (http://en.wordpress.com/tag/nude-events/), Nude demonstratons - Protests (http://en.wordpress.com/tag/nude-demonstratons-protests/)</SMALL>

[Navigator]

Here's a link to a petition from at least one group that is opposing the decision by the city of San Francisco.

http://www.savebaytobreakers.com/#

[luvnaturism]

Just got the latest eNewsletter from Bay to Breakers. The restrictions are stated differently than in the earlier version posted by NakedGary above. Now they read this way:

"RESTRICTIONS (updated for 2009)
For everyone's safety and enjoyment NO ALCOHOL or WHEELED OBJECTS will be allowed on the race course. Over-sized costumes cannot have wheels and must line up at the back of the pack in Corral E. Additionally, no pets, roller blades, skateboards, bicycles, or plastic bags for warm-ups are allowed on course. Nude participation is not sanctioned by race management."

The policy leads with an item headed "New Improvement and Policies 2009." That section discusses the new zero policy on public alcohol consumption and drunkenness, and explains that wheeled floats are no longer allowed. Evidently they're had some increasing problems with drunkenness the last couple of years, so they're dealing with it. That's a good thing. The floats were fun, but have often been in the way of runners—and have sometimes been dangerous for runners. So these changes work to keep the event a safe, fun family party.

As far as nude participation not being sanctioned by the sponsors, this is nothing new and doesn't represent a change. The sponsors have NEVER sanctioned nudity. The Bare to Breakers group that organizes nude participation is a totally separate organization.

Bottom line: nothing has changed with respect to the opportunity for those who wish to run through the streets of a major city nude in front of a 100,000 or so other runners and spectators.

[maxnude]

luvnaturism

Not so

Bay to Breakers organization reverses it proposed ban on Nudity after protests & SF city meetings.

Refer to nudeinbama's post in legal issues on the same subject:

http://www.clothesfreeforum.com/showthread.php?p=224117#post224117

[luvnaturism]

Well, maybe we can just agree to disagree.

During each of the seven years I ran in the Bay to Breakers the sponsoring organization always included language saying that nudity was not permitted, but it was obviously not something that anyone cared to enforce. Now, when there have been protests about the new rules, they readily backed off their published position on nudity but stood firm on alcohol—which exactly reflects what I have been saying was their real concern.

The police said from the beginning that they weren't going to take enforcement action against nudes. If they won't, the organizers can't. The organizers simply have no means of enforcement on their own.

[1Ace]

Glad to see that things will be ok with nudity thus far, hope it stays that way.