One of the world's most unusual foot races takes place in San Francisco on a Sunday in May. The Bay to Breakers began in 1912, so this year marked the 97th time the race has been held.

This race held the Guinness World Record for the most participants - around 110,000 runners each year in the 1980's and 1990's when the running fad hit its peak. These days, there are 'only' about 75,000 participating.

I must admit we didn't see the race itself. While thousands run the 8 mile course from the San Francisco Bay on the east across the City, through Golden Gate Park to the breakers hitting the Pacific Ocean on the west, tens of thousands of others merely parade behind them.

The race was over by the time we drove by, but the parade was really just beginning. I parked my car, grabbed my camera, walked a few blocks past the barricades, squeezed by hundreds of bystanders, braved the blasting music from several live bands, and snapped away.

By the way, Worldisround's own Michael McDonald also has an article on this race. Check out 'Bay to Breakers 2003' for his views of about crowd pleasing event.