Reindeer Run

The first week of March kicks off Fur Rondy, an annual Alaskan winter celebration. It kicks off the start of the Iditerod Trail Dog Sled Race, which is a very very big deal. The trail is over 1100 miles long and takes 8+ days to complete.

Mush Mush!

I think we've established that they do things a little different here in Alaska... so continuing with that theme, another Fur Rondy festivity is the Running of the Reindeer. Think of the original, Running of the Bulls in Spain, but way tamer. People get dressed up in costumes and run 5 blocks with 12-14 reindeer. There are three races- the reindeer get walked back to the start line for each one. 

I enjoyed costume watching and taking pictures from the sidelines...

 

 

Look what I found! El Pepe, Captain Crunch, and a Rice football player...

 

Correction: MY Rice football player. Look how cute. Go #63!!!

There were some half-naked spartan gladiators that I'm sure wished they had chosen a different costume as they waited in the start line in the 15 degree weather...