When the clock strikes 10, Doug is usually ready to crawl into bed ... even in Alaska where the sun is still glowing high in the summer sky at that time. But not tonight! The starting gun sounded, and we were off. Along with about 3000 other joyful walkers and runners, we were ready to ...
Celebrate the Return of the Midnight Sun!
As many people know, Alaskans endure a brutally long, cold, dark winter. But their reward is sweet, because in the summer they are gifted with 22+ hours of daylight. In Fairbanks on June 21, the sun sets about 12:45 am and rises again at about 2:55 am.
How's that for a long day??!!
Last March, we had the pleasure of meeting and working with Maria at a Habitat build in Florida. She talked highly of her hometown in Alaska and graciously invited us to boondock at her place when we made it to Fairbanks. She and her daughters run a hair salon, so I was thrilled to get a ''professional'' haircut/style as well as spend time with her once again.
She talked highly about the Fairbanks Midnight Sun Community Festival that takes place on the Saturday closest to June 21. The downtown streets are transformed into a music festival filled with talented local bands and performers. The local baseball team plays a late night game without the need for stadium lights.
But it is the Midnight Sun Run that brings all the late night sun-worshippers out in droves. This 10K race is a fund-raiser for the Fairbanks Resource Agency, so the $35 entry fee went right back to helping out the less fortunate in the community. The run serves as a qualifying race for those with marathon aspirations, but it is also a fun community event for all ages and skill levels. Costumes were encouraged, and there were plenty of creative participants. It was fun to see this Pac-Man group playfully chase each other around as a way of keeping the little ones laughing and moving.
All along the race route, people greeted and encouraged the participants with cheers and (occasionally) beers. Music and dancing filled the streets from start to finish. A neighbor of Maria's handed us a jello shot and invited us over for a massive spread of food afterwards.
My goal was to finish in under two hours. Yes, you guessed it ... I was forced to sprint the last 2/10 of a mile in order to cross the finish line right at midnight. Probably shouldn't have stopped for that last jello shot!
But, I'm proud of my medal and grateful to be able to experience the joy of this community as it comes together to celebrate the return of the Midnight Sun!
And check it out ...
Doug stayed up WAY past his bedtime and is still smiling!
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