Bay to Breakers 2009 is coming, are you ready? Are you ready for 7am mimosa's, keg stands on 4th and Mission, dancing wildly in the streets, walking for miles while heavily intoxicated, potential altercations with the opposite sex over some inappropriate thing you "may" have said just a bit too loud, pictures you laugh about (or regret) for a full year, hot sun and cold fog, more nakedness than you thought possible and the true colors of San Francisco? It's a lot to think about, but luckily we are here to guide you through it.

The Basics
• Bay to Breakers 2009 is happening on May 17th. For future reference, the race happens every year on the 3rd Sunday in May.
• Bay to Breakers is actually a 12k race that a lot of people register for and run in. No, seriously, it's true.
• It’s been around for 98 years.
• It is called to Bay to Breakers because it starts on the Embarcadero and Mission St. (the bay) and goes to the ocean (breakers). Clever right? (see the map)
• Race starts at 8am. Walkers and partiers start around 8:30.

Costumes
• Costumes are definitely encouraged. Non costume wearers are often ridiculed and de-pantsed.
• Just like at Halloween, costumes that are big, bulky, include a mask or are poorly made are bad ideas. It’s a long day and you have a long way to go. Don’t do that 2 man horse thing.
• Group costumes are better than individual costumes. Smurfs, super heros, cops, vikings, bullfighters, lifeguards, cowboys and zombies are always in style.
• Naked is not ok. Don’t let the old nasty men fool you, it ain’t cool to not wear pants.

Booze
• Officially, Bay to Breakers is a no alcohol event. Officially.
• You should plan to bring plenty of booze because as mentioned above, you have 12km (that’s about 7 miles) to cover.
• Pace yourself. Keg stands and jello shots at 8am have a way of catching up with up with you when you are heading up Hayes St. hill. Start with champagne or mimosas. Wait til you hit the park for body shots.
• Don’t be a jerk. Throw your empties away in the dumpsters and trash cans.

Music
• If you aren’t near good music while you parade down the street either speed up or slow down. It’s out there.
• The best music is on Hayes St. on your way up the hill. You’ll know when you get there.
• There is a big (really big) event that happens at Speedway meadows after the race with all sorts of Alice radio type bands and wannabe’s. You can get your Goo Goo Doll fix there.

Food
• Food is for after the race. Stick with booze.
• Speedway meadows is filled with kebab and pizza vendors just waiting to take money from your drunk ass.
• Buses can take you to one of the more than 100 Indian restaurants San Francisco has to offer. Indians love drunk smurfs.

Transportation
• You will not find a cab when you are done so don’t even try.
• N Judah after Bay to Breakers is a bit like this.
• Get on the first bus you can find and worry about where it is going once you are on it.

Other Essentials
• Bring a camera and/or a video camera. Catch your friends doing something stupid and put it on youtube.
• Make friends. These are fellow San Franciscan’s after all.
• Don’t make plans for Sunday afternoon unless they involve napping.
• Read our 10 Tips to surviving Bay to Breakers
• Watch our Bay to Breakers video  or check out our Bay To Breakers Photo Gallery from last year.
• Have fun!