Runners hoof it to the Far Side of the finish line

Five…four…three…

two…

one…

and with the sound of the horn, the five kilometer race in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park begins. On the outside, the group of cavemen make their move, edging past the four dogs riding a cardboard bus. Just ahead, the Mad Scientist jockeys for position with the woman with a beehive hairdo and a sequined dress. Two amoebas bring up the rear, along with an assortment of cowboys, nerds, snakes and plundering Vikings, all lumbering towards the finish line, 3.1 miles ahead.

This is all part of the norm at the annual Run To The Far Side, a zany tradition commemorating the popular cartoon series by artist Gary Larson. Some 14,000 runners compete in two races, a 5k and 10k, and while not all are in costume, the race has become a cult phenomenon among fans of Larson’s irreverent creation. This year, the 21^st annual race was held on Sunday, Nov.27 in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

Since its inception in 1984, the race has also attracted top-flight runners from around the country, and, indeed, the world. This year, however, both the men’s and women’s 10k were won by locals —and a husband and wife, to boot. Richie and Magdalena Boulet, both world-class professional runners, live in Oakland and shared top honors at this year’s event.