| Today Matthew will race with 75000 (!) other runners from the San Francisco Bay to the breakers of the Pacific Ocean.
12 kilometers through the hilly city is no small challenge for anyone, least of all someone
who has never raced 12k before. But Matthew is eager, and I am excited too. Bay to Breakers is one big costume party
as well as a serious race. I'm ready to practice my paparazzi skills again.
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| 8AM, the Bay. Matthew disappears into a huge crowd of people wearing
running shoes and ... all sorts of other things. The serious runners are far to the front and no
where in sight, but zillions of "fun runners" are everywhere, in various decorations and varying
degrees of undress.
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The centipedes (runners chained together to run
as a unit) are always a colorful sight. |
| 9AM, the breakers. I am ever more appreciative of the runners efforts after driving from
the bay to the breakers myself, and the first runners arrive at the breakers way before I! At the beach near the finishing
line, Matthew miraculously finds me in a sea of people. He has done well and he hardly looks like he's run at all! Though he is not
proud of his result (1 hour 20 mins.) he has enjoyed the race: "Running
through Golden Gate Park and seeing the ocean suddenly appear in front
of
you is one of those experiences you will never forget."
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After the race, there are bands to entertain us, junk food to sample,
and lots of costumes to ogle at. I have lots of fun, although I couldn't run. As for Matthew, he's already planning for
the future: "My dream now is to wear a great costume AND do well in years to come!
" |
