Three Blind Mice: Donna, Basia, Eva
On solstice day (June 21), parts of Alaska enjoy 24 hours of daylight. My sisters Donna and Eva came up from the lower 48 to join me in celebrating solstice weekend with a Midnight Sun Run in the city of Fairbanks. Over 3000 runners/walkers participated in the 10K (6.2 miles) race, which starts at 10 PM and runs into the night.
Costumes are encouraged, so the Kruszewska sisters became Team Three Blind Mice (See How They Run, Blinded by the Midnight Sun).
What middle of the night looks like in Fairbanks:
My favorite costume was this Midnight Sun team.
TV show characters were well represented, including the maids of Downtown Abbey.
Carrie Underwood, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift arrived with their chauffeur.
The Miami Mushing team brought their own version of the Alaskan dog sled.
One Night Stand got the biggest round of applause from the audience.
Team Three Blind Mice, moments before the start of the run.
Sisters Eva (from California) and Donna (from Texas) on the course.
The course wound through residential Fairbanks. The most amazing part was that all along the route, Fairbanksians were out in full force throughout the night, providing entertainment, encouragement, and support. It was one big midnight block party.
Team (Drunk) America brought their own booze, and stopped for frequent smoke breaks and pee runs into the woods.
This one-man high-five station sat in the middle of the road and provided high-fives to runners on each side.
The night was comfortably cool, but sprayers were available in case you needed a cooldown.
No, you are not there yet. Darn.
Team Three Blind Mice crossed the finish line shortly after midnight. We didn't set any records, but we all finished!
We even earned a mention in the race writeup in the city newspaper, the Fairbanks Daily News Miner:
Where:
Fairbanks, Alaska.
What a riot! Your sisters must have loved it. Congrats on getting into the paper with that cute theme and ears! That high-five guy in the middle of the street is great. As is the fellow in the bear costume. Oops.
Hope the sisters stayed for the strong aurora. It reached all the way to some of the Southern states, but it must have been especially awesome in Alaska. Waiting for those photos!
Posted by: Dale | Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 01:18 AM
The yearn for adventure must be a family thing, Basia. Good for all of you to finish at midnight. Thanks for the "exposure" to daylight and nightlight in Alaska.
Posted by: Mary Keller | Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 04:02 AM
Great pics as always, but I want even more! I can well imagine the fun and laugh you sisters had.
Posted by: Tereska Buko | Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 04:36 AM
Tereska we could do family gathering in Alaska next year
Posted by: Sisterdonna | Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 07:40 AM
Looks like you had a great time!
Posted by: Lori Day | Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 08:39 AM
You sure know how to have a great time Basia! Looks like Alaska offers a lot of opportunities.
Posted by: Joanne D Felzer | Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 08:51 AM
So, do you think Americans know how to party as well as anyone elsewhere? I used to wonder about that when I'd see (on the news) spirited festivals in Spain, Brazil, etc. What's your opinion, world traveler? Do we get drunk with joy as the best of 'em?
Posted by: Dale | Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 09:29 AM
I've always loved when the entire community joins in the fun. I loved the One Night Stand
Lady!! The costumes were great. Looks like everyone was out for a good time!! You all look
Great. Wonderful your sisters could join you.
Posted by: Sharon from CT | Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Ok. So this race is now on my bucket list. Thanks for continuing to add things to my growing list, Basia!
Posted by: Joan | Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 01:01 PM
Dale: No aurora here, unfortunately. Not enough dark hours right now and too much cloud cover, we didn't see any here in Juneau. And yes, I think Americans know how to party. How about New Orleans Mardi Gras?
Mary: It must be in the genes.
Tereska: Glad to know you are enjoying them.
Lori! Happy to see you on here. I hope you are all settled in your new home?
Joanne: Alaska is amazing. I could do fun stuff every weekend for a year and not get done everything I want.
Sharon: Everyone else seemed to like the One Night Stand too, she got the most applause from the audience.
Joan: Oh goodie! My plan to entice you to come on up is working! Now you'll have to plan two trips, one in the winter for the Northern Lights, and another in the summer for Midnight Sun and whales! :-) :-)
Posted by: Basia | Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 06:49 PM