Posts Tagged ‘pr’

Three Things You Don’t Know About the Bay to Breakers

Monday, May 20th, 2013

1.  THE TOP OF HAYES STREET HILL _ISN’T_ THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE BTOB FUN-RUN. JUST CHECK THE ROUTE PROFILE:

“Here’s your route profile, starting from the SoMA near the bay going all the way to the breakers of Ocean Beach. See that big incline just before mile marker three? That’s the vaunted Hayes Street Hill. (And actually, the highest part of Hayes Street on this part of the course is near Pierce, not “at Fillmore and Steiner“ and not ”between Fillmore and Sutter.”)

And actually, that part of Hayes peaks at around 260 feet, not 215:

Now, here’s your winner. It’s the 270-something foot high saddle on JFK Jr. Drive betwixt Prayer Book Cross and Stow Lake / Strawberry Hill, where ”Kennedy” is written:

2. THE BTOB FUN-RUN IS A 12K, AND YET IT’S NOT A 12K – THE CLAIMED “WORLD RECORDS” ARE NOT, IN FACT, WORLD RECORDS

“Race organizers and media have reported that the course records set by Sammy Kitwara in 2009 and Lineth Chepkurui in 2010 are also world records at the 12 km distance;[31] however, the International Association of Athletics Federations, the international governing body for the sport of athletics/track and field, does not recognize world records or world bests in either an indoor or outdoor 12 km.[32] The Association of Road Racing Statisticians, a non-regulatory group that collects road running data, does recognize world records in the outdoor 12 km provided that the race course meets certain criteria.[33][34] In order to rule-out the possibility of wind assistancein point-to-point courses, the ARRS stipulates that the course must have “not more than 30% of the race distance separation between that start and finish”, or 3.6 km for a 12 km race.[34] Given that the Bay to Breakers is run on a point-to-point course in which the start and finish of the event are approximately 10.5 linear kilometers apart, the ARRS recognizes two other marks as 12 km world records: Kenyan Simon Kigen‘s 33:46 in Portland, Oregon on May 19, 1985 and Chepkurui’s 38:10 at the 2010Lilac Bloomsday Run.[33][nb 2]

3. MOST PEOPLE _DON’T_ PAY THE ABSURDLY HIGH REGISTRATION FEE. MOST PEOPLE YOU SEE ARE “BANDITS”

HERE’S THE OFFICIAL ESTIMATE: “…more than in the hundreds but less than tens of thousands.” THE REAL NUMBER IS TENS OF THOUSANDS.

“The Bay to Breakers is known for the large number of unregistered runners, or “bandits”, who participate in the race. Ross Mirkarimi, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, reported that over half of the 60,000 participants in the 2010 Bay to Breakers were unregistered.[19] San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was among the runners in 2010 who did not pay the registration fee to obtain a race number.[19][22] Registered participation was 24,430 in 2010,[23] 43,954 in 2011,[24] 23,072 for 2012,[25], and approximately 20,000 for 2013.[26]

Beware, Car Owners: The Great B2B Tow of ’13 is a Coming This Weekend – Hundreds Will Get Towed by SFGov – Will You?

Friday, May 17th, 2013

I’ll tell you, I’m not exactly sure when the tow away signs went up for this year’s historic Bay to Breakers street party – maybe it was today.

No matter, hundreds of cars are going to get towed this Saturday and Sunday.

It’s going to be epic.

Here are the streets to not park your car upon.

Sometimes they give you a week’s notice, but not this year I don’t think.

Click to expand

Let’s review.

Before we can have this…

…or this…

From hard-working Steve Nguyen

…we’re going to have to have this:

(I remember it as if it were just two years ago…)

“The Great Tow of 2011:

One car gets away  in the nick of time, but three others aren’t so lucky:

Ted and Al’s had like ten yellow tow trucks ready to go late Saturday night, in the driving rain. (Note how Bank of America is protecting its windows – the IndyBay crowd got to them, smashy smashy, about a year or so back, unrelated to Bay to Breakers.)

Now, speaking of prêt-à-porters, this is the main body, this is the largest array for the Golden Gate Park Panhandle:

And here’s the second-biggest grouping, along Masonic:

And there are some on the other side of Fell, typically in groups of six on some of the blocks.

But that’s it.

Not sure where B2B is hiding their 1000+ portable toilets claimed for 2011, at this point, just hours before the Kenyans take off on their winning runs.

Oh well.

And there’s no sign of the fencing neither, except for what they have every year.

We’ll see.

The Great Fence of B2B100 is supposed to have upon it either images of Christ hand-selected by P. Anschutz or photos of people who ran the race before white NIMBYs moved into the Western Addition. (You’ll have to tell me about it…). Anyway, here’s the baby fencing they have on scene already along with, and isn’t this cute, a message from San Francisco Natives for a Fun and Buzzed Bay to Breakers. Apparently, the cops can’t arrest for an open container in San Francisco…

And doesn’t this just break your heart – this Vespa scooter has been forgotten on the slopes of the famed Hayes Street Hill, the second highest point on the “racecourse.” Will Auto-Return charge $700 for its return?

Remember, Transit First.

All right, have a great Bay to Breakers 100!

Sucker Watch: Most Participants Won’t Pay to Enter the 2013 Bay to Breakers Fun Run So Why Should You?

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Oh, you are a sucker. Well, then be my guest – pay $48 for a number. And actually, and you’ll enjoy this, sucker, it’s already too late to get a good deal on registration for 2013. Prices be higher now.

Most people who aren’t professional runners  don’t pay and here’s a good reason not to pay:

Your money goes directly to “Christian Billionaire” Philip Anschutz.

And then he takes your $$$$$ and uses it to, over the years, oppose the concept of evolution and fund anti-gay efforts.

(It’s funny that he even took an interest in this historic fun run and street party but he likes running so there y0u go.)

The reason that organizers won’t say how many “bandits” show up for the party is because they don’t want you to think that most people don’t pay.

But, IRL, most people don’t pay.

If you don’t believe me then take a NSFW look right here.

How many bibs do you see? Every year they say they will eject all these people and every year they don’t actually do it.

Now the San Francisco Nike Womens Marathon is different. You see, they give out coveted awards and people just can’t help themselves. And then stuff like this happens; “NO BIB NO BIB NO BIB!

But B2B aint like that.

One difference this year will be a limit on the size of the bags you might carry.

It’s like the size of Fook Mi’s backpack, best I can imagine.

Click to expand

All right, have a great 2013 B2B.

And if you want to pay money to somebody, just take whatever your reg fee is and give it to Pride or whatever.

End Of Line.

Craigslist to Sponsor Bay to Breakers 2013 – All the Deets – Conservative Denver Billionaire + Craig Newmark = ???

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Observations:

1. Hey, does christian activist Phillip Anschutz still own AEG? I think so. And AEG still owns the Bay to Breakers civic street party and fun run? And Obama donor Craig Newmark / Craigslist just made a sponsoring deal with B2B? How does that square? I mean, I’m seeing “April 1st, 2013″ here. Am I missing something? You pay money to advertise a job on craigslist and it goes to Mr. Burns IRL in Colorado so he can use it to attack the concept of evolution? Mmmm…

2. Here’s something – one time Craig Newmark had to admonish “craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster” for celebrating the vandalization of my Toyota after it got messed up on Ashbury. That was a like a decade ago, just saying. Ill tell you, that Jim Buckmaster isn’t your typical wealthy millionaire CEO-type. Anyway, it cost me $200 and State Farm like $2600, oh well.

3. Back before Google semi-censored naughty images, this shot here was the number image result in Google Images when people searched for the phrase Bay to Breakers. The problem was that a local money-making sports website claimed it as its own. That was going too far, IMO. Had to put my foot down on that one.

Good times on Fell Street:

Click to expand

ALL THE DEETS:

“CRAIGSLIST CONFIRMED AS PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR 2013 BAY TO BREAKERS

This partnership marries two “San Francisco originals,” craigslist, which was founded in 1995 as an email distribution list of San Francisco events, with Bay to Breakers.

“We’re tickled pink to sponsor Bay to Breakers,” said craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster. “A fellow San Francisco institution, this storied footrace celebrates the unique character of our colorful city, drawing fans and participants from around the world.”

New course and post-race event location
The race will follow its recent historical route until you’re almost at the Finish Line. There’s a new twist (and turn) in Golden Gate Park, runners will turn left onto Bernice Rodgers Way, then right onto MLK Jr. Drive, then right onto Lincoln Way, then a quick right onto the Great Highway and the Finish Line.

All post-race activities will take place at the Finish Area on the Great Highway – sponsor giveaways, a Dos Equis Beer Garden, food trucks, and more. Information

Volkswagen Greater Body Expo presented by Big 5 Sporting Goods
One of the city’s largest health, fitness, and lifestyle expos will be held Friday, May 17th from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM & Saturday, May 18th from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The FREE and open to the public Expo will be held at the San Francisco Design Center located at 635 8th Street.

Check out the “Fuel Zone” provided by Crunchies, which features snacks to prepare for the race. See the all-new Beetle Convertible and Jetta Hybrid at the Volkswagen display and enjoy interactive games from our various partners. In addition, registered participants can pick up race packets and official race shirts. Learn More

T-Shirt Design Contest Artwork Revealed
The 2013 Bay to Breakers Official Participant T-Shirt Artwork has been chosen. Congratulations to San Francisco resident Arthur Lediouris who submitted the winning design.  View winning design

Big thanks to all the artists who created outstanding designs for consideration!

Register today for Bay to Breakers at www.baytobreakers.com. Discount registrations for groups of 10 or more are available. Email groups@baytobreakers.com or call 877-234-8425 to book your group!”

“CRAIGSLIST CONFIRMED AS PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR 2013 BAY TO BREAKERS

SAN FRANCISCO – (April 3, 2013) Bay to Breakers, one of the world’s largest and longest running footraces, today announced San Francisco based craigslist as presenting sponsor. The Bay to Breakers presented by craigslist partnership brings together two Bay Area classics – San Francisco born and bred craigslist, now the world’s leading classified ad service, and Bay to Breakers, the legendary 102-year-old San Francisco running race. More than 30,000 athletes from around the globe will descend upon the streets of San Francisco for the 102nd Bay to Breakers 12K running race, set to take place on Sunday, May 19.

“We’re tickled pink to sponsor Bay to Breakers,” said craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster. “A fellow San Francisco institution, this storied footrace celebrates the unique character of our colorful city, drawing fans and participants from around the world.”

In addition to becoming the presenting sponsor of the iconic footrace owned and operated by world leading sports and entertainment presenters AEG, craigslist will receive prominent on-course signage, inclusion in all marketing and advertising collateral, presence on the official Bay to Breakers presented by craigslist website and social media platforms and race entries.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Bay to Breakers to partner with one of the world’s most visited websites and another San Francisco original, craigslist,” said Bay to Breakers Race Director Angela Fang. “We are thrilled to add them as presenting sponsor. As the event moves into its second century, we can’t imagine a better addition to the Bay to Breakers community.”

Additional new sponsors confirmed for 2013 include: Crunchies Food Company, the official natural freeze dried snack; Dos Equis, the official beer and malt liquor; SnuggBuds, the official headset; and LinkedIn, the official professional network. Returning sponsors include: Volkswagen, the official automobile and title sponsor of the Greater Body Expo presented by Big 5 Sporting Goods; Big 5 Sporting Goods, the official sporting goods retailer and presenting sponsor of the Volkswagen Greater Body Expo; C20 Pure Coconut Water, the official coconut water; and the Hyatt Regency Hotel San Francisco, the official race hotel.

Since 1912, this legendary race has taken thousands of participants including elite athletes, centipede teams of 13, celebrities, costumed racers, marathon runners, weekend warriors and more from the edge of the bay, to the shore of the Pacific Ocean, via several San Francisco neighborhoods. In addition to the run, participants are encouraged to take part in the Costume Contest, Volkswagen Greater Body Expo presented by Big 5 Sporting Goods and enjoy the finish line festivities with food, fun and more.

About Bay to Breakers

The 102nd Bay to Breakers 12K running race, presented by craigslist, is set to take on Sunday, May 19. To register for this year’s footrace go tohttp://bit.ly/1252QGy, for more information please visit www.baytobreakers.com. Discount registrations for groups of 10 or more are available, please email groups@baytobreakers.com, or call 877-234-8425. For more details, please visit www.baytobreakers.com, or call 877-234-8425.

About craigslist

Running in San Francisco since 1995, craigslist has jogged ahead to be the most used classifieds worldwide, helping racers everywhere find jobs, housing, goods, services, friends, romance, events, sneakers, community information, and just about everything else atwww.craigslist.org. For media inquiries please email press@craigslist.org.

About AEG:

AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Anschutz Company, owns or is affiliated with a collection of companies including over 100 of the world’s preeminent facilities such as STAPLES Center (Los Angeles, CA), The Home Depot Center (Carson, CA), Best Buy Theater (Times Square, New York), Sprint Center, (Kansas City), Rose Garden Arena (Portland, OR), Target Center (Minneapolis, MN), Mercedes-Benz Arena (Shanghai, China), MasterCard Center (Beijing, China), O2 World Hamburg, Allphones Arena (Sydney, Australia), Ericsson Globe arena (Stockholm, Sweden), O2 World arena (Berlin, Germany) and The O2 arena and entertainment district (London, England) which are all part of the portfolio of AEG Facilities. Developed by AEG, L.A. LIVE is a 4 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports, residential & entertainment district featuring Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE and Club Nokia, a 54-story, 1001-room convention “headquarters” destination along with entertainment, restaurant and office space that “officially” opened in 2010.In addition to overseeing privately held management shares of the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), assets of AEG Sports include franchises and properties such as the 2012 Stanley Cup Champion LA Kings (NHL), Two-time defending MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo (MLS), two hockey franchises in Europe, the Amgen Tour of California cycling race and Bay to Breakers presented by craigslist foot race. AEG Live, the company’s live-entertainment division, is the world’s second largest concert promotion and touring companies and is comprised of touring, festival, exhibition, broadcast, merchandise and special event divisions with fifteen regional offices. AEG Global Partnerships, a division responsible for worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships naming rights and other strategic partnerships and AEG Merchandising, a multi-faceted merchandising company are also core business units of AEG. In 2010, AEG launched its AEG 1EARTH environmental program with the announcement of 2020 environmental goals and the release of the industry’s first sustainability report while in 2011, AEG introduced axs Ticketing, the first phase of its new entertainment platform serving as the company’s primary consumer brand which will also features a mobile service as well as a video content service now in development. For additional information, visit www.aegworldwide.com.

For More Information Contact:

DeeDee Taft/Shelbi Okumura
Spin Communications

OMG, It’s Reputation Rehab! Homophobic 49er Chris Culliver Cuts a Deal with The Trevor Project – A Win-Win?

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

Oh man, where to begin?

Check out this AM’s press release, posted below.

Let’s see here, just as former(?) alcoholic Mayor and alcohol purveyor Gavin Newsom needed The Delancy Street Project and as former Kramer needed Jesse Jackson, Chris “The Sweet Stuff” Culliver, apparently, needs The Trevor Project.

This deal is just a win-win, baby, for Culliver and Trevor, right?

Ponderings:

1. Did Chris Culliver “immediately” issue “both a written and publicly communicated apology for his remarks” about gays in the NFL, the “sweet stuff,” and other stuff? No, he did not.

2. Has Chris Culliver really apologized at all, you know, at this point? Some people think he hasn’t, just saying.

3. Did Chris Culliver ”unilaterally” reach out ”to The Trevor Project to seek guidance and education about the LGBTQ community through The Trevor Project’s renowned Trevor Lifeguard Workshop LGBTQ Training Program?” No. Hell no.

4. Hey, what’s wrong with this sentence? “Surprisingly, Chris has gay family members and close friends for whom he cares deeply.” Just asking.

5. Now this is an good example of what’s called damning with faint praise: “The Trevor Project is the nation’s leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, ages 13-24.”

6. Are there really “…kids all over the country with his poster on their wall?” He’s that popular IRL? DNKT.

7. And oh, the graf starting with “In Chris’ own words…” did not come from Chris Culliver. Those words written down there are not “Chris’ own words.”

All right, here it is, sourced from Chris Culiver himself the day before Super Bowl 47:

“San Francisco 49er Chris Culliver to Commence LGBT Educational Training Program with The Trevor Project

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 2, 2013 — Chris Culliver, cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers, recently made hurtful, hateful, homophobic comments about gay athletes playing in the NFL. Chris immediately issued both a written and publicly communicated apology for his remarks; however, Chris recognizes these apologies neither excuse his statements nor sufficiently convey Chris’ remorse for the situation he created, and the people he offended. Regardless of what has been and what undoubtedly will be said about Culliver’s comments and his subsequent mea culpa, the simple fact remains: action expresses priorities. It is with this concept in mind that Chris has unilaterally reached out to The Trevor Project to seek guidance and education about the LGBTQ community through The Trevor Project’s renowned Trevor Lifeguard Workshop LGBTQ Training Program.

Rather than attempt to downplay the severity of the issue at hand, or shy from the situation in the interests of mitigating damage to his reputation, Chris intends to embrace this ordeal as an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. The Trevor Project is the nation’s leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, ages 13-24. The Trevor Project, however, is not only a resource for LGBTQ youth in crisis, but also for the adults who care about the LGBTQ community. Surprisingly, Chris has gay family members and close friends for whom he cares deeply. Chris’s cousin, Andrew Brown is one of the celebrated directors of Word Is Out, the first feature-length documentary about lesbian and gay identity made by gay filmmakers; an iconic film for the emerging gay rights movement in the 1970s. Brown has come forward in support of Chris and his efforts to educate himself about the true impact of his commentary.

The Trevor Project offers age-appropriate education programs to help people of all ages learn more about the unique challenges faced by youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, and those who question their sexual orientation, gender identity. Lauren McGinnis, Communications Director for The Trevor Project, expressed the following sentiment: “We really feel that education about LGBT youth and the challenges they face is a great way to get [Chris] started on the right path, especially since he’s a role model and there are kids all over the country with his poster on their wall, his jersey – his fans that take his words and actions to heart.” The Trevor Project in no way condones, accepts, or attempts to validate Chris’ comments; however, The Trevor Project looks forward to working to help Chris become a better role model for his fans and the general public. Both Chris and The Trevor Project recognize it will be a long road to genuine understanding, but both are eager to use this experience as an opportunity to take steps towards eradicating this type of ignorance in the NFL and in society as a whole.

In Chris’ own words, “As an African American male, I should know better. Hate and discrimination have a lasting effect, and words matter. I also have a responsibility to myself, and especially to my young fans to be a better role model. The kids who look up to me and other athletes are the future of our country, and our future deserves better than fear, hate and discrimination… I was wrong, and I want to learn how to make it right. That’s why I reached out to an organization called The Trevor Project… No child should ever feel like they are less than anyone else, and God has put me through this storm so I can learn from my mistakes and help make sure no child has to feel that way, again.”

In the weeks immediately following Super Bowl XLVII, Chris will be working with The Trevor Project staff and volunteers to learn about the risks that LGBTQ youth face and how Chris can do his part to reduce those risks. The Trevor Project has partnered with other notable athletes and celebrities, such as Shaquille O’Neil, Lady Gaga, Daniel Radcliffe, and Queen Latifa, among others, to help disseminate tolerance and understanding for the LGBTQ community. The Trevor Project is thus the perfect organization to educate Chris about how to use his celebrity status to empower youth to know that they have value and deserve a chance to live and be who they dream to be, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Chris, like the rest of the resilient 49ers, believes the true content of one’s character is revealed in times of adversity. As such, Chris is determined not to hide from this crisis, but rather to take the actions necessary to make it right.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Theodore Palmer – Publicist – Creative Edge Public Relations – (646) 575-2967 – TPalmer@creativeedgepr.com

SOURCE Chris Culliver

Chris Culliver

OMG, LAN Airlines Gave Away Hundreds of Round-Trip Tickets to South America at a Random Oakland Restaurant Last Night?

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Yes.

Yes it did.

Just look at these happy patrons over at Jack London Square’s Bocanova restaurant.

Thusly:

And thusly:

Man, if I had knowed, I would have loaded up the Land Cruiser with eight souls and headed on over there.

And then I’d have been off to Sud America to see Paradise Falls or to party like an impossible-to-fire BART spokesmodel or to do something, man.

Damn!

Well-played, LAN Airlines.

Well–played, Edelman PR

All the deets after the jump.

(more…)

Here are the Three Reasons Why You Were Foolish to Have Registered for the Bay to Breakers

Monday, May 21st, 2012

Three Reasons Why You Were Foolish to Have Registered for the Bay to Breakers:

1. Your money goes to Philip Anschutz, the Christian Billionaire – see below.

2. You don’t get a refund even if the Philip Anschutz people decide to cancel the race – you agreed to that in the oppressive agreement you made on the Bay to Breakers website when you signed up: “…all Race entry fees are non-refundable, even if Race is cancelled…” See after the jump for details on that.

3. Most other participants don’t pay, so why should you? Take a look right here, this is early on during the first hour of the 2012 event  - how many registrants can you spot?

Click to expand

I’ll tell you, I see just one soul with a “racing” bib. Do you think any of these people cared about getting a “racing” time that shows how long it took them to run the BtoB? Do you think any of them were arrested by the SFPD? Do you think any of them were ejected from the “race” course by “race” organizers? I don’t.

Those were just Three Reasons Why You Were Foolish to Have Registered for the Bay to Breakers.

Sucker!

Often identified as “Christian billionaire Phil Anschutz”,[26] he is a Republican donor who supported George W. Bush‘s administration. He has been an active patron of a number of religious and conservative causes:

  • Helped fund Colorado‘s 1992 Amendment 2, a ballot initiative designed to overturn local and state laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of sexual orientation but was invalidated by Romer v. Evans after it passed.[19]
  • Contributed $70,000 in 2003 to the Discovery Institute, to specifically support the work of telecom guru George Gilder but not matters related to intelligent design. That fact was validated by Discovery President Bruce Chapman in a letter-to-the-editor to the Rocky Mounatain News, “Anschutz never gave that program a nickel,”[27]

The Discovery Institute is a think tank based in Seattle, Washington that also promotes intelligent design and criticizes evolution.[28]

(more…)

Sammy Kitwara and Mamitu Daska Win Bay to Breakers 2012, But Not As Many are Watching the Race This Year

Sunday, May 20th, 2012

There he is this morning, #21, on the right, already breaking away from the pack halfway through the Golden Gate Park Panhandle on Fell:

Click to expand

Get all the deets on the high-placing runners right here at Fog City Journal from Luke Thomas.

Now I’ll tell you, I didn’t register for the 101st running of the Bay to Breakers, so that means I haven’t signed away my right to ever in my life “attack, embarrass or disparage” San Francisco’s littlest TV news station, KRON-TV.* Therefore, I have the freedom to ask, “What the hell, KRON? You start broadcasting the race at 8:00 AM after all the winners have crossed the finish line?”

Is this the smallest BtoB in recent memory? Seems that way. The past week the Philip Anschutz people couldn’t even give away registrations. Oh well.

LinkedIn won, once again, in the Centipede category:

(The Philip Anschutz people used to call this category “Human Centipede,” with hilarious results.)

Back in the day, there were hundreds of thousands of people out there on Bay to Breakers Day, and no fences, and everything seemed to work out. But in this day, of uptight rich white NIMBYs living in the Western Addition and Hayes Valley and district elections affecting the behavior of San Francisco Supervisors, things are different. OK.

OK fine.

*It’s true. It’s in the waiver you assented to – you can’t ”attack, embarrass or disparage” any Sponsor and KRON’s a Sponsor so there you go. 

Here’s This Year’s Official Bay to Breaker Press Release from the SFPD and Here’s How It’s Wrong, Wrong, Wrong

Friday, May 18th, 2012

LEAVE US BEGIN:

“More than ever, City officials and race organizers are serious about keeping the race free from alcohol abuse and nuisance behavior.”

SO THIS IS THE STANDARD LINE FROM SFGOV-APPROVED MEDIA FLACK DAVID PERRY, WHO GETS PAID TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO ATTEMPT TO PROMOTE WHATEVER IT IS THAT SFGOV WANTS PROMOTED. LIKE, “THERE’S NO HALLOWEEN IN THE CASTRO, WE’RE SERIOUS.” FOR THE BAY TO BREAKERS IT’S BASICALLY, “NO ALCOHOL, WE”RE SERIOUS.” AND THEN DAVID PERRY PUTS UP A RECYCLED, HALF-ASSED WEBSITE. (ALL HIS SITES LOOK THE SAME, COMPLETE WITH THE SEAL OF SAN FRANCISCO FOR COLOR OF AUTHORITY.)

NOW, WHAT DOES DAVID PERRY BILL THE CITY FOR THIS SERVICE? $10,000? $40,000? I HAVE NO IDEA. WHAT’S IT WORTH? ABOUT ZERO, THAT’S WHAT IT’S WORTH. BUT FOR SOME REASON, THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO JUST LOVES GIVING MONEY TO DAVID PERRY – TO KEEP HIS BUSINESS GOING, I GUESS.

ANYWAY, HERE’S THE WEBSITE THAT DAVID PERRY GETS PAID FOR WHETHER ANYBODY LOOKS AT IT OR NOT. NOTE THAT DAVID PERRY STEALS PHOTOGRAPHS TO DECORATE HIS WEBSITES. FOR EXAMPLE, FIND THE SHOT THAT LOOKS PROFESSIONAL AND THAT’LL BE THE ONE THAT DAVID PERRY REPEATEDLY USES “COMMERCIALLY.” DO YOU HAVE A LICENSE, DAVID PERRY? NO YOU DO NOT. IS THAT HOW YOU ROLL, DAVID PERRY? YES IT IS. MOVING ON…

“Bay to Breakers has always been a blast for everyone,” said San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr.

A BLAST? WOW, YOU’RE THE COOLEST POLICE CHIEF EVER, GREG SUHR!

“Last year was no different, with the singular exception of no alcohol allowed. In some years past, because alcohol was allowed, there was a negative impact of our neighborhoods and we don’t want to see that repeated. That said, we hope that everyone will come and have a great time again, absent any alcohol.”

UM, ARE YOU SAYING ALCOHOL WAS OFFICIALLY “ALLOWED” AT THE BAY TO BREAKERS TWO YEARS AGO? NO IT WAS NOT. SO WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT GREG SUHR? YOU SEEM OUT OF TOUCH ON THIS ISSUE.

NOW, HERE’S WHAT THE SFPD WANTS YOU TO DO WITH YOUR ALCOHOL AT THE BAY TO BREAKERS. IT’S A DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL POLICY:

IT’S AS SIMPLE AS THAT. THE SFPD WANTS YOU TO DRINK YOUR ALCOHOL IN A NON-OBVIOUS WAY AT THE BAY TO BREAKERS. IF YOU WALK THE COURSE HOLDING A CAN OF BUD, THE SFPD MIGHT MAKE YOU POUR IT OUT, VERY POSSIBLY. BUT IF YOU TRANSFER YOUR STUFF TO ANOTHER CONTAINER AS THE SFPD WANTS YOU TO DO, THEN YOU’LL BE FINE.

THAT’S WHAT THEY MEAN WHEN THEY SAY, “NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED”

WHAT THE SFPD WANTS TO DO AT THE BAY TO BREAKERS, FUNDAMENTALLY, IS TO LOOK AT GIRLS, TALK TO GIRLS, AND OTHERWISE INTERACT WITH GIRLS:

ALL THE LIVE-LONG DAY

THUSLY:

BUT IF YOU CAUSE TROUBLE, BY GETTING IN A FIGHT OR SOMETHING, THEY’LL HAUL YOU OFF, SIMPLE AS THAT.

MOVING ON…

AH, HERE’S DAVID PERRY AGAIN, PROMOTING HIS USELESS WEBSITE. HELLO DAVID PERRY!

To emphasize the point, a special campaign website is active at www.baytobreakers100.com with public transit information, rules and regulations, video PSAs and links to social media sites stressing this year’s campaign.

WHAT WOULD THE WORLD DO WITHOUT YOUR USELESS EFFORTS?

NOW, THE CITY FAMILY IS DOING ITS BEST TO PROMOTE THE CANDIDACY OF “RUN ED RUN” PROMOTER CHRISTINA OLAGUE, WHO’S PROBABLY SAN FRANCISCO’S LEAST INTELLIGENT SUPERVISOR NOW THAT MICHELA ALIOTO-PIER IS GONE. CHRISTINA IS THE REPUBLICAN-APPROVED SAN FRANCISCO PROGRESSIVE, SO SHE’S ALLOWED TO MOUTH OFF ON HER PET ISSUES, BUT SHE CAN BE COUNTED ON TO SUPPORT REPUBLICAN-SUPPORTED MAYOR ED LEE WHEN HE WANTS HER TO SUPPORT HIM. YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COUNTS. ANYWAY, HERE SHE IS SAYING, “VOTE FOR ME, VOTE FOR ME,” IN SO MANY WORDS:

“This year, will be my first Bay to Breakers as Supervisor for District 5 and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it and share this great event with our community,” said District 5 Supervisor Christina Olague. “Coming off of the successes of last year, I am confident that this race will only continue to improve as it enters into its second century here in the Bay Area. Last year, we saw a very different Bay to Breakers than in year’s prior. The new rules implemented by race organizers clearly made a difference and the sold out race was said to be a success by city officials, neighborhoods, media, and the organizers themselves. We expect the same result of our participants this year.”

SO LAST YEAR’S RUNNING WAS A SUCCESS, OFFICIALLY? WELL THAT’S NEWS TO ME. CONSIDER LAST YEAR’S EVENT A BASELINE, IF YOU WANT. BUT LAST YEAR, IN FACT, EVERYBODY WAS DRINKING, THERE WERE HUGE HOUSE PARTIES ON FELL STREET, DPW’S STREET REOPENING SCHEDULE WAS A COMPLETE JOKE, MOST OF THE PARTICIPANTS DIDN’T REGISTER AND YADAYADAYADA. (AND I’LL NOTE THAT THIS YEAR’S RACE IS NOT A SELL-OUT, NOT EVEN CLOSE.)

ALL RIGHT, MAYBE THAT’S WHY PEOPLE DON’T TALK ABOUT THE BAY TO BREAKERS VERY MUCH ANYMORE, MAYBE PEOPLE THINK IT’S FINE THE WAY IT IS. OF COURSE TICKET SALES ARE WAY DOWN FROM LAST YEAR AND TICKET PRICES ARE UP AND THIS EVENT IS WAY SMALLER THAN IT WAS IN YEARS PAST, BUT THE CITY FAMILY IS COOL WITH THE B2B, APPARENTLY.

OK, WELL, IF OUR CITY FAMILY CAN DEAL WITH THE WAY THE BAY TO BREAKERS IS NOW, THEN SO CAN I.

ON WITH THE SHOW…

To Repeat, the Hayes Street Hill is NOT the Highest Point on the Historic Bay to Breakers Footrace and Street Party

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Oh, it’s happening again this year. It’s the falsehood about the Hayes Street Hill being the highest point on the Bay to Breakers course.

Here’s your route profile, starting from the SoMA near the bay going all the way to the breakers of Ocean Beach. See that big incline just before mile marker three? That’s the vaunted Hayes Street Hill. (And actually, the highest part of Hayes Street on this part of the course is near Pierce, not “at Fillmore and Steiner“ and not ”between Fillmore and Sutter.”)

And actually, that part of Hayes peaks at around 260 feet, not 215:

Now, here’s your winner. It’s the 270-something foot high saddle on JFK Jr. Drive betwixt Prayer Book Cross and Stow Lake / Strawberry Hill, where ”Kennedy” is written:

Looks like somebody made a boo boo a while back and then it got repeated over and over. Oh well.

Hey B2B, why not just say that the Hayes Street Hill feels like the highest point?

And MSM, why not do your job the right way instead of just repeating what you’ve heard?

Just saying.

Get Ready to Run on May 20, 2012

San Francisco, Calif. (January 12, 2012) – Today the Zazzle Bay to Breakers announced the opening of general registration for the 101st running of the World’s most famous footrace. Over the past century the iconic Zazzle Bay to Breakers race has evolved from a modest footrace to one of the largest and most unique running events in the world, setting records for the world’s fastest 12K, the largest footrace and other milestones. On May 20, 2012 the quintessentially San Francisco race, Zazzle Bay to Breakers, will begin its 101st journey from the San Francisco Bay to the Breakers of the Pacific Ocean.

“Last year’s centennial race was an incredible success with 55,000 registrants signing up to become part of history,” said Angela Fang, general manager of the race. “As the Race enters its second century, we are confident that this Bay Area icon will maintain its truly unique and exuberant spirit, uniting best-in-class athletes with vibrant fans, creating that electricity that can only come from a footrace in San Francisco.”

Once known as the Cross City Race, Zazzle Bay to Breakers was first held on January 1, 1912. While 186 runners kicked off the race at Embarcadero and Market streets, only 121 runners completed the race. Robert Jackson “Bobby” Vlught was the winner of the first race with a time of 44:10. Since then, Zazzle Bay to Breakers has grown to one of the largest footraces in the world with more than 50,000 participants and close to 100,000 spectators annually. Zazzle Bay to Breakers exemplifies the City’s irrepressible color and its affection for eclectic traditions.

BRING YOUR SHOES, NOT YOUR BOOZE

Last year the Zazzle Bay to Breakers celebrated its centennial with a smashingly successful race, sporting a sold out crowd and markedly more sober participants. Building on last year’s success, we will continue our zero tolerance stance on alcohol and floats.

Neighborhood associations, city officials, police, and race organizers have determined alcohol and floats create a threat to public safety. There will be multiple checkpoints on the race route to remove any floats and alcohol, so remember: Bring your shoes, not your booze. Only registered participants will be allowed on the course.

NEW CHARITY COMPONENT

The Zazzle Bay to Breakers is pleased to announce that they will be enhancing their charity program this year called Run & Give. Thanks to our community’s support of the 100th running of the Zazzle Bay to Breakers the race was a huge success. As a way to demonstrate our appreciation we are going to enhance our charity program in the 2012 race. The program allows participants to run on behalf of a charity or cause they support. The new program offers varying levels of charity partnership including Preferred Charity Partners and Official Charity Partners. This year we are thrilled to welcome back Breathe California and Daraja Academy who will both be participating as Preferred Partners. In addition we are happy to announce first time official participants Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and CancerCare as Official Partners.

RACECOURSE HIGHLIGHTS

On Sunday, May 20, 2012, 50,000 runners will be propelled into the 101st running of Zazzle Bay to Breakers. At the finish line, back by popular demand all registered runners will receive a commemorative medal.

Along the USA Track and Field certified 12K (7.46 miles) course, Zazzle Bay to Breakers will host entertainment offering a fun and lively atmosphere for participants and spectators alike. At 7 a.m. runners will start at the base of the San Francisco Bay, and progress to the City’s famous Hayes Street Hill. Around the 2.5-mile mark runners climb an 11.15 percent grade between Fillmore and Steiner streets, 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 and ends at the Pacific Ocean.

Zazzle Bay to Breakers will culminate in a festival called the Final Mile celebration located just past the finish line. Many of the festivities from last year’s Footstock festival in Speedway Meadows will now be available for participants to enjoy closer to the finish line. The Final Mile will feature merchandise, product sampling and exciting festivities as a celebration of Zazzle Bay to Breakers’ second century in the Bay Area.

Sponsors of this year’s race include: Zazzle, Adidas, Volkswagen, C2O Coconut Water, Big 5, SitOnIt Seating, and the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.

Media partners for this year’s race include: KGO 810 – The Bay Area’s News and Information Station, KSFO 560 AM and KRON 4. For more information, visit www.zazzlebaytobreakers.com