While many of our readers likely spent Memorial Day weekend doing jack-all, chances are none of them competed in a jack-off competition. But on behalf of Asylum, frequent contributor Harmon Leon spent the final Sunday in May at the 2010 Masturbate-a-Thon.

The Masturbate-a-Thon -- put on by San Francisco's Center for Sex & Culture and now in its 10th year -- works similar to a walkathon: Participants get people to sponsor them for a good cause. Only in this case, sponsorship is calculated not by mileage, but per orgasm ($20 for each).

Click through Harmon's photos to see all of the onanistic action he witnessed on this fateful day.

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Masturbate-A-Thon 2010

Although it is a bright, sunny afternoon, a brave handful of mostly naked men and women gathers in a dark room -- dubbed "The Masturbatorium" -- to slap the salami and polish the pistachio. With complete strangers lying side by side and spanking their respective monkeys, our man Harmon tries really, really hard not to accidentally back into anything.

Masturbate-A-Thon 2010

The Masturbatorium is segregated: Performers lie on mats and pillows, and paid attendees -- aka "voyeurs" -- sit in bleachers overlooking the action. Important: No masturbating in the bleachers!

Masturbate-A-Thon 2010

This lovely lady, originally from Salt Lake City, is one of the rare
few to be "jilling" off in the main event room. She has a long way to go, though. In the ten years that the event has been held, the record for most orgasms by a woman is an amazing 49.

Masturbate-A-Thon 2010

Participants are using many tricks to get into the zone. Some are exhibitionists who fed off the crowd. Others, like this guy, choose to block out everything and go to their own private happy cave. What's this guy thinking about? Flo, from the Progressive Insurance commercials?

Masturbate-A-Thon 2010

Hey-hey! What's comedian Paul Provenza, director of "The Aristocrats," doing at a Masturbate-a-Thon? For the record, he's taking a break from promoting his new book, "Satiristas," and his upcoming Showtime series, "The Green Room." And what better way to do so than by enjoying a cold Coca-Cola in a room full of masturbating men? "Masturbate-a-Thon is not really better than 'Cats,'" quips Provenza.

Masturbate-A-Thon 2010

Finally, the cavalry arrives: The event gets a needed influx of female participants. A little limbering up seems essential before jumping into action -- especially with the women's record for longevity (6 hours) still needing to be broken. (The men's record is a crazy 9 hours and 58 minutes, set in 2009 by Masanobu Sato.)

Masturbate-A-Thon 2010

To show how it's done, a woman takes to the event's second stage for a solo demonstration that utilizes the legendary Magic Wand.

Masturbate-A-Thon 2010

Another $20 raised by these two participants, who finish in sync. Correct me if I'm wrong -- but isn't that George Lucas on the right? Either way, he has a huge nutsack.

Masturbate-A-Thon 2010

This lovely-and-pleasant staff member (last seen in photo 3) has made the event a sheer joy, by providing everything from directions to hand towels. She has also occasionally swung on the stripper pole in the middle of the room.

Masturbate-A-Thon 2010

One participant states exactly what he is looking for.

Masturbate-A-Thon 2010