A team of about 100 lifeguards with homemade Jell-O shots and a float with a lifeguard tower plan to be among thousands of themed groups that will take over the streets during San Francisco's 12K Bay to Breakers run.
And San Francisco resident Ed Meier, 25, who is walking with the group of "Baywatch to Breakers" at 7 a.m. said he's not so concerned about whether police will crack down on alcohol this year; he's just wondering if he should wear a "man-thong."
"The problem is it only covers two of three parts," Meier said.
The sentiment might seem outrageous, but it's exactly what to expect from the 98th annual race from downtown San Francisco to the Polo Field in Golden Gate Park.
Participants who are in it for the booze and costumes were worried when organizers announced in February a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol, floats and nudity that was later lifted.
In response to the announcement, the Citizens for Bay for the Preservation of Bay 2 Breakers made a petition that attracted about 25,000 signatures and vowed not to register if planners did not lift the bans.
After a couple weeks of meetings with community groups, Mayor Gavin Newsom's office and the Police Department, the bans were lifted but organizers are still cracking down on other restrictions.
One of the other new annoyances is that there is no parking along the entire route. That will impact thousands of people.
Police say they will have no tolerance for glass bottles, kegs, open containers, public intoxication or public urination, Sgt. Lyn Tomioka said. The plan is to take the tap of any keg police find.
Local
"If there's a porta-potty, use it. Don't annoy somebody by peeing on their plants," Tomioka said.
She emphasized that last year one of the biggest complaints was public urination so this year there will be more than 700 portable toilets along the track.
Officers will be out in uniform and "will not be afraid to make arrests," but will typically cite people or ask them to leave if they are violating the rules, she said.
However, if a person does not have proper identification when approached by an officer, he or she will be detained until properly identified, she said.
