Michael and Lawson welcome Jack Essig, publisher of Men's Health magazine, and Joyce Parente, Associate Publisher. Men's Health has created the Urbanathlon, a unique urban twist on the triathlon, and Jack and Joyce discuss the events and what the participants can expect.

Ever since I was born on Halloween, I've enjoyed a good costume party. I usually start planning in August, lying on a hot sunny beach, what I'll wear that chilly night in late October. Today, though, I have a more urgent costume concern-what to wear for the 95th annual ING Bay to Breakers foot race, this Sunday, May 21.

As much a party as a competition, the 12K (7.46-mile) event draws roughly 70,000 runners and walkers who cross San Francisco, heading west in a steady stream of athletic determination mixed with kooky wigs, masks, Elvis outfits, high heels, flip flops, body paint, floats, and for a small (and presumably chilly) contingent, birthday suits. The official 12K National Championship event must be the zaniest race recognized by the USA Track & Field Association, and the only ambulatory carnival that can qualify American runners for the Olympic trials if their race times are fast enough.

Once each year, a 26.2-mile stretch of Highway 1 along California's majestic central coastline closes due to heavy traffic-six hours of bumper-to-bumper sneakers, worn by 4,500 runners tackling the Big Sur International Marathon. The race meets for its 21st time on Sunday, April 30, and registration has been closed since late January for what many call the most beautiful marathon in the world.

I used to admire my stepfather's dedication to his daily run. When I was growing up, he'd clock several miles before I even rolled out of bed. He'd return flushed with his