Colorful costumes, loud cheers and crushed tortillas marked the start of San Francisco’s zany Bay to Breakers footrace Sunday as thousands of runners surged off the starting line in a flurry of dizzying forward motion.

Participants—dressed as everything from cowboys to hot dogs with condiments—hit the streets early, with some donning race-issued pink T-shirts featuring the city’s iconic Painted Ladies houses. Others went all out in cartoon, comic book or spotted cow costumes and helmets.

The runners surged off the starting line in a flurry of colorful fabric and loud cheering, pounding hundreds of tossed tortillas into the tarmac beneath their feet.

From morning and well into the afternoon, it was prime time for people-watching.

Cowboys blurred into groups in orange prison jumpsuits or screenshot-perfect Oompa Loompa uniforms, with distracting touches like a little fluorescent green tulle here or a pair of inflatable chickens there.

As is so often the case in any public and free event, a hardy few joined the yearly rite by insisting on their right to wear as little as possible, with a few minor exceptions made for spandex or skivvies or by accessorizing with baseball hats, head coverings and race-appropriate footwear. Others mostly kept it moving and took it all in stride.

In addition to the spirits some spent valuable race time surreptitiously sipping on or openly guzzling, others’ spirits seemed to soar ever higher as the morning’s low clouds began to burn off, and thousands of people powered westward along closed-off roadways, accepting cheers and the odd orange slice or two from generous onlookers.

Showers of blown bubbles drifted into the air along Fell Street and came down equally atop a costumed swarm of bees, a walking watermelon slice, a spotted-cow-onesie sporting competitor.

By the time many reached the finish line, stiff breezes flew the state and U.S. flags and seemed to put wind into the sails of runners who powered across with uplifted arms and jubilant shouts.

Rather than doling out dates one by one, Wheeler and Kennedy decided to throw a party, and invite all the interested women, plus any of their single friends (both male and female) to join the festivities. It all led to last Saturday’s 50 First Dates-themed “I believe in a thing called love” party at Fort Mason, attended by around 100 people who came to flirt over White Claws, rub shoulders underneath a “compliment circle” (a large parachute, the kind you used to play with in pre-school), and test their compatibility over thumb wars and mural making.  

“I can’t date over 100 people,” said Wheeler in a phone call ahead of the party, which also doubled as his 37th birthday bash. “The very least I could do is just throw a big mixer, and invite all my single guy friends, and just have a big party, so I can say thank you to everyone.”  

The partygoers came with a range of expectations and intentions last Saturday—from wingmen and women lending their support for Wheeler to curious singles who wound up there after falling into an Instagram rabbit hole. Many found the quirky games and setups for possible meet-cutes preferable to the endless doom swiping of Tinder, Hinge and Bumble.  

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — In San Francisco, there was partying Saturday at Thrive City. This was the official community celebration for the Bay Area’s newest WNBA team, the Golden State Valkyries.

The team will play its games at Chase Center starting in 2025.

We spoke with fans who say the Valkyries are arriving at just the right time.

From the stage to the stands, there were nothing but big party vibes welcoming the Golden State Valkyries.

The ‘Valkyries’: Golden State WNBA team announces official name and logo

“It’s such a historic moment for women, and I’m so glad to be a part of it and be in the Bay for this,” said Oakland resident Elisa Gomez.

The WNBA’s newest expansion team was posting up at Thrive City on Saturday outside the Chase Center.

“I think women’s sports is really having a re-emergence and that it’s really popular for everybody, so it’s not just the men,” said Oakland resident Anna Frankel.

“I’m glad that women’s sports is getting as much exposure as men’s sport. With soccer having as much exposure as the men’s, basketball is next,” said Oakland resident Derrick Kirkpatrick.

Preparing the next generation of possible pros and fans alike.

Warriors’ goal for WNBA expansion team: ‘We want to be the best’

“Just showing her that she can do anything. She can,” said Hayward resident Moji Oladimeji, gesturing to her daughter. “Bringing a WNBA team to the Bay Area means a lot to be able to see her grow up and watch the stars on TV.”

Fans were treated to special musical guests, food, games and more. And there was merch everywhere.

“I thought it was great that it actually has the Bay Bridge in it, because usually it’s the Golden Gate, so it’s really good to include the East Bay and other parts of the Bay Area,” Frankel said.

“I think it’s really beautiful that they’ll play here. But they’re headquartered in Oakland, because I feel right now Oakland is going through a transition period and they can be part of the vibrant re-emerging as well,” said SF resident Ashley Budelli.

“We’re all really excited for it, and we’re all ready for it, and we’re ready to support it and super excited it’s coming next year,” Gomez said.