Over 50,000 runners successfully crossed the streets of San Francisco during yesterday’s centennial Bay to Breakers footrace, which featured new race regulations, said race organizers.
During the 2011 Zazzle Bay to Breakers race spokeswoman Stephanie Reichin said there was not 100 percent compliance with new rules, which included no floats, zero-alcohol enforcement on the 7.5-mile course, and a crackdown on unregistered runners, but the race was still a “smashing success.”
Fewer people came through the finish line at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach without bibs compared to previous years and the vibe of the race was calmer, Reichin said.
“We really drew a line in the sand,” she said. “(This year) sets the tone for what future races will be like.”
Based on preliminary feedback from San Francisco police and neighborhood associations, there were fewer incidents throughout the city, according to Reichin.
Police reported 25 arrests throughout the race along with a report of a 30-year-old man who had fallen off a house roof in the 1500 block of Fell St. yesterday afternoon. The man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, San Francisco police Sgt. Michael Andraychak said.
In the North of the Panhandle neighborhood, or NOPA, North of the Panhandle Neighborhood Association President Jarie Bolander said this year’s race was much better than last year.
Bolander was impressed with increased police presence, more barriers throughout the neighborhood, and more porta-potties, although there were still reports of urination in residents’ front yards, he said.
Enforcement of open containers, no floats, and an early race start at 7 a.m. all contributed to a successful race, Bolander said.
“The mood of the crowd was more festive than last year,” he said.
“Even neighbors were out having a good time.”
After the race, Bolander said the race organizers’ and San Francisco Department of Public Works cleanup efforts were “stellar,” with only some trash and remnants of yesterday’s race-celebration still lingering.
In another change in the 100th annual race, all registered Bay to Breakers finishers will have their names printed in a special edition of the San Francisco Examiner on Wednesday, Reichin said. In past years a shorter list of finishers has been printed.
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