Just to clarify, the whole centipede concept was started by the Aggie Running Club. Yes, I'm a member. The Aggies were sponsored for a time by Reebok, but also Converse, ASICS and currently Hoka One One. So, that team did I actually lose to the Powerpede. Brian Maxwell was never a friend of the Aggies after 8 of us beat him at the Canadian XC Champs in 1978.
We did come back the next year and beat the Powerpede.
Actually, 'what happened' is that the newspaper, San Francisco Examiner, that owned the event changed hands, and the new ownership group didn't have the same interest in staging (paying for) the event anywhere near the level that it had been financed previously...and along with that, the event declined dramatically.
Actually, 'what happened' is that the newspaper, San Francisco Examiner, that owned the event changed hands, and the new ownership group didn't have the same interest in staging (paying for) the event anywhere near the level that it had been financed previously...and along with that, the event declined dramatically.
- MF
Yes, Clint Reilly Communications acquired it at the end of 2020. What else declined dramatically the last 2 years? I suspect you haven't even experienced B2B in any sense.
1.5/10 for the Yaley into that whole Yale thing that started this thread
I was barely aware there was an actual race, I thought it was just an excuse to put on some dumb costumes, get drunk in the daytime and grind on girls in the Fillmore Street bars.
Look at the decline of other once great or established races: Azalea Trail, Crescent City Classic, Gum Tree…likely something will fold. Just wish that these would stay instead of the stupid Rock n Roll races with $220 entry fees.
Judging by the events you listed, it is obvious you are from the southeast. Yes, those were great races that are now local fun runs. Like the post below yours noted, road races are no longer in vogue.
Actually, 'what happened' is that the newspaper, San Francisco Examiner, that owned the event changed hands, and the new ownership group didn't have the same interest in staging (paying for) the event anywhere near the level that it had been financed previously...and along with that, the event declined dramatically.
- MF
No, it can't be. It has to be the exact thing that the idiot conservatives who have never been to San Francisco in their lives think it is!
well, and the cops make you dump your beer at every intersection, so it's not nearly as fun.
I used to live directly on the course... Man those were some great days. Have your friends over, have breakfast and beers, and let the party come to you...
Brian Maxwell offered me 100 to be on that team but I held out for 150 lol. I know a bunch of Reno runners were on it, Domingo Miguel AL (a 2.18 runner from the casinos!)
Look at the decline of other once great or established races: Azalea Trail, Crescent City Classic, Gum Tree…likely something will fold. Just wish that these would stay instead of the stupid Rock n Roll races with $220 entry fees.
Wharf to Wharf used to sell out in minutes and still has open spots. Participation numbers are down in youth sports, especially girls. It’s the Covid effect IMO.
One thing I like about Bay to Breakers is that a lot of people run it naked. There aren't a lot of public races where you can run them naked. The fastest naked finisher actually has a respectable time.
I remember running this race back in the 90’s with a friend of mine from college in Chico CA. We ran with crowd and had a lot of fun. There was this super tall skinny dude who went flying by me flapping in the wind totally and completely NUDE except for his Nikes! People we’re laughing and clapping and at one point the cops tried to chase him down but gave up! Best race I ever ran!!!!
A lot of the bigger races are down in numbers this year. The trend has been going on for 5-6 years and it has accelerated post-pandemic.
Agreed. Just about all the races in my town were already experiencing declining numbers before covid, and that just accelerated it. A lot of races never came back at all after "going virtual" during 2020.
A lot of the bigger races are down in numbers this year. The trend has been going on for 5-6 years and it has accelerated post-pandemic.
Agreed. Just about all the races in my town were already experiencing declining numbers before covid, and that just accelerated it. A lot of races never came back at all after "going virtual" during 2020.
This ^
All the "virtual" races did was remind runners that you can run by yourself and it's fun. And now with Covid, we have few new runners. The good old days are long gone.
One thing I like about Bay to Breakers is that a lot of people run it naked. There aren't a lot of public races where you can run them naked. The fastest naked finisher actually has a respectable time.
lol I just looked up Bay to Breakers pics for research and came across a dude with a huge dong
One year (early 90's) I parked near the finish line of Bay to Breakers and a buddy and I ran it backwards as a workout and got to the start right as the gun went off. Turned around and danced and drank ourselves back to Ocean beach. Was the most fun I had in a race. There were a bunch of guys carrying an entire Tiki bar and they would run for a bit, set it down and then serve drinks. I followed them a bunch.
Back in the early 90's, as Flagpole said there was the Run to the Farside (they capped at 10,000) that gave away a car to the winner. Pat Porter won it several years in a row. And Wharf-to-Wharf was always a showdown between Pat Porter and Brian Abshire. You'd get a coveted sweatshirt if you placed in the top-100. I ran 32:24 one year and was 101st!!!
One year (early 90's) I parked near the finish line of Bay to Breakers and a buddy and I ran it backwards as a workout and got to the start right as the gun went off. Turned around and danced and drank ourselves back to Ocean beach. Was the most fun I had in a race. There were a bunch of guys carrying an entire Tiki bar and they would run for a bit, set it down and then serve drinks. I followed them a bunch.
Back in the early 90's, as Flagpole said there was the Run to the Farside (they capped at 10,000) that gave away a car to the winner. Pat Porter won it several years in a row. And Wharf-to-Wharf was always a showdown between Pat Porter and Brian Abshire. You'd get a coveted sweatshirt if you placed in the top-100. I ran 32:24 one year and was 101st!!!
I saw that Tiki bar in the early 200s. My best memories of running it were going out with the Kenyan's (mistake) and then a bunch of Elvis jumped in with us (each carrying a red solo cup) and ran about a quarter mile spilling beer everywhere. Then getting passed by the centipede on the top of the hill and then finally chasing the very petite/short Kenyan women's winner.