The Chronicle's Peter Hartlaub thinks that might be a good idea, at least for a couple of years. In the wake of yesterday's vomit-laced, booze-tinged Bay to Breakers fete, Hartlaub (smartly) suggests, among other things, to give San Francisco's annual race a much-needed rest.
In part, he writes:
From what I witnessed, the scene at the Panhandle has become too large and chaotic to practically enforce the law. Just clearing the crowds off Fell Street and into the park led to palpable tension with the police. Trying to force the issue in the Panhandle would lead to rancor, and at best would push the revelers back out, causing more problems in the neighborhoods.The Bay to Breakers has become a gangrenous limb of a footrace. So take two years off — insert your own amputation line here — then try to bring the race back in 2017 with a strong campaign promising arrests of anyone drinking in any park along the racecourse. Actually follow up on that promise. Start the race at the crack of dawn, set up bands in the park (Sharon Meadow or maybe Kezar Stadium?) and hope people behave...
Meanwhile, KRON 4′s Stanley Roberts was at Bay to Breakers and caught some participants behaving badly
Previously: Scenes From Bay to Breakers 2014