Backers of keeping Bay to Breakers boisterous, nude and, uh, hydrated say they're now 20,000 strong and calling for a registration boycott of the annual footrace.

The group said they're also ready to make their case Thursday before the city committee that will decide whether to agree to the street closures for the cross-city race/early morning party.

Police Sgt. Lyn Tomioka disputed that account of the meeting.

"We will enforce the alcohol-related laws," Tomioka said. "Our goal is to make the race safe but still a fun event."

Regardless, Sharpless' group has 11,050 members on its Facebook page and is calling for a boycott unless the zero-tolerance policies are rescinded. Combined with website members and online petitions, like this one, the group claims "well over 20,000 people who have joined our cause."

The crackdown was decided upon by race organizers and police after neighbors last year were incensed because of a severe shortage of trash receptacles and portable toilets. Floats are often abandoned at the end of the race.

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, whose district includes much of the race route, introduced a resolution yesterday co-signed by five other supervisors calling for race sponsors to work with race advocates to "develop a comprehensive plan that protects the host neighborhoods while preserving the unique spirit of the race."

At a meeting last week between the group, race organizers and other city leaders, a police lieutenant "made it clear it would be nearly impossible to enforce the bans as written, and the police would likely not enforce any of the restrictions unless there was a threat to public safety," Edward Sharpless of Citizens for the Preservation of Bay2Breakers wrote in an email to supporters.
