There are many marathons, races & walkathons throughout the year in San Francisco. The one that stands out amongst them all is our annual Bay to Breakers footrace. After experiencing Bay to Breakers for the first time ever last month, I was inspired to write about it. The vibrant colors, creative costumes, and the free-spirited nudies are an entertaining sight to watch. Some spectators may find some of the race participants offensive and inappropriate for it to be considered a “family friendly” event. However, if we know and love SF for all that it is, we know that this vibrant race filled with people from all walks of life even the free-spirited nudies is really what makes us fall in love with SF.
Bay to Breakers has become more than a 12k route thru the city streets. The marathon has become an iconic activity attracting people from all over to SF and its surrounding cities. What most people will be shocked by are the amount of families that also partake in this event. An event that started as a race for adults eventually evolved to becoming a Sunday morning adventure involving children and jogging strollers.
Walking closely alongside the costumed adults are the cute little tiny humans strutting their own adorable character outfits. Bay to Breakers has given parents more bang for their buck by providing an opportunity for their children to suit up in their Halloween costume twice a year!
Along the course, there will be sightings of parents pairing up with their kids in matching outfits or playing different roles from their favorite cartoon or movie. Sightings of dads bringing out their inner superhero alongside their sons. Little girls in princess outfits and other children expressing themselves in whichever costume the imagination wanted for the day. Our kids are the ones that teach us daily to express ourselves freely. They remind us to use our imagination and live life without a care in the world of what people think. There’s this saying that if you want the truth, you ask a drunk person or a child. I prefer to ask my children – their speech is uncensored and unfiltered – both of which is entertaining and appreciated!
Bay to Breakers just like our children remind us that it’s ok to break out of the responsible parent mode image every once and awhile and enjoy life without a care in the world. It reminds us to free our spirits just like our kids do every day.
So! Break out from that parent costume today, dress up in your favorite costume, and enjoy life alongside your child/children! Do it daily if possible, whether it’s a Bay to Breakers type event or playtime at home, it will be a memory to last a lifetime for both.
Photos placed with permission & courtesy of Darryl Paul Hofer of www.portofpaul.com photography
Great article Samone! I gotta breakout that costume!!!!