Run for the Sun
Winter Solstice is here. The shortest darkest day is a cause for celebration, mostly because it means that the light will start coming back tomorrow. It is zero (F) degrees by my thermometer this morning, but that will not stop all and sundry from participation in the "Run for the Sun" this morning. Starting at 10:00AM at Kincaid park, walkers, runners, skiers, bikers and snowshoers will line up at the "Pluto" sign outside of the main chalet. They will then dash en masse toward the sun (downtown) 11 miles away. An alternate turnaround has been offered at Neptune (returning to pluto, about a one hour race for the shorter route).
If this is all sounding strange, perhaps I should explain that we have a "to scale" model of the universe here in Anchorage. The sun, a giant yellow tiled sculpture, rests in downtown on 5th and G. The scale is set so that "a leisurely walking pace mimics the speed of light." So, it should take you 8 minutes to stroll from the sun to the Earth (5th and K) and 5 1/2 hours to amsle to Pluto, 11 miles away at Kincaid Park. You can check it out at Anchorage Planet Walk. If you decide to race along with the other winter crazies, the cost (yeah, they charge you to race at zero degrees) is $5 for kiddos and $10 for adults. There are no official timers and you have to provide your own transport if you are racing one way. This is all about winter fun in the dark!
