Officials expect this weekend’s 100th anniversary running of Bay to Breakers in San Francisco to be a raucous event despite forecasters’ predictions of rain on Sunday.
Light rain is expected to fall on and off all day starting at 5 a.m., but police and city officials said today the centennial will likely be just as popular as years past.
“Bay to Breakers is a rain or shine, sleet or hail event,” police Chief Greg Suhr said.
“Nobody signs up to run this race for the weather.”
Suhr said he has policed Bay to Breakers for 30 years, and weather has had little effect on the department’s approach.
Mayor Ed Lee also said he doesn’t think the rain will dampen the spirits of the 150,000 people expected to turn out to run or watch the race.
The city has implemented new policies this year to crack down on the belligerence that has come to characterize the race in recent years, including no floats, no alcohol, and no unregistered participants on the race course.
Those found to be publicly intoxicated will be held in drunk tents until they sober up.
Officials today presented race organizers with a proclamation declaring this weekend “Bay to Breakers Weekend” in San Francisco, but warned revelers to keep their costumed fun clean.
“If you have to go you have to go, but please hit one of the 1,200-plus Porta Potties instead of going in somebody’s garden,” Suhr said at a news conference on the steps of City Hall.
He and others insisted the race will still be fun, and said that good behavior can help more people celebrate the historic event.
“I would like to see more younger kids involved,” Lee said. “Then they carry on the tradition as they get older.”
Lee said he ran in Bay to Breakers about 10 or 15 years ago and plans on watching this year’s race.
“I think it will be a very celebratory race,” he added.
Bay to Breakers general manager Angela Fang also presented Lee with the No. 100 race bib in honor of the centennial.
Janna Brancolini, Bay City News
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