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How long has BADR been around?
BADR started as a group of people training for Gay Games II in 1986. For the next several years many of us continued to training together. In 1989, we formed under Team San Francisco as the San Francisco Marathon contingent to the Gay Games in 1990 in Vancouver, BC. After the Games, we all felt that we should stay together and we adopted the name Bay Area Distance Runners, and have been together ever since.
How many people belong to BADR?
There are about 150 people on the mailing list. Most of them are in the Bay Area, however, we have members all across the country. Our membership consists of runners from many different clubs - Impalas, Dolphin South End, Frontrunners (SF, Baylands, East Bay) as well as many unaffiliated runners. Being a BADR member doesn't mean giving up a club affiliation. On the contrary, we believe in welcoming everybody, training together and developing a robust network of resources and training partners.
Where do you have training runs?
The core group usually runs in San Francisco on the days posted on the calendar on the home page. However, we do have runs on "off" weekends, as well as runs hosted by our members who live in the East Bay. You can get information on those runs by calling one of the numbers listed near the bottom of the contact page.
How fast is everybody?
We run the gamut from sub 3 hour marathons to 5 hour marathons. Most of our runners are in the 4 hour range.
If you have so many speeds, how does that work with training?
Usually, training runs tend to split into two or three natural divisions from fast to not so fast. That way, everyone is not forced to run at a pace that is not comfortable for them.
But, I'm really, fast/slow.
Not to worry! We have "regroups" at potty and water stops. That means the faster runners in each group will wait for the slower runners in each group. When everybody has had water/potty, then, that group takes off again.
How often are the "regroups"
"Regroups" are every 3 or 4 miles, depending on the run, and the available facilities.
How many people run each weekend?
We usually have from 8 — 20 people, depending on the season and upcoming marathons. Of these people, usually the mix is pretty much 50/50 men and women.
I'm not Lesbian or Gay. Can I still run with BADR?
BADR welcomes everybody with open arms. The only criteria is that you like to run, have fun, and are comfortable around Lesbians and Gays.
What is this "Nice Butt!!" thing?
"Nice Butt" is the encouragement cry of all BADRites. It adds a little humor into the runs, and also helps boost self image. Also, when you hear "Nice Butt" in a race or training run, you know that friends are near. Why, I even had one friend from L.A. yell "Nice Butt" to me near the end of the Berlin Marathon, and I was so elated that it made that last kilometer almost effortless.
Are there any politics involved?
Absolutely not. We just like to run and have fun. Training runs are almost like a running party where we tell stories, and even jokes. Terry Baransy's Ice Cream joke is part of BADR history.
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