As temperatures increase in Anchorage, more and more runners are showing up downtown Tuesday evenings for the weekly 5K Pub Run at Skinny Raven Sports.
Rain, snow or sunshine, the Pub Run is a weekly year-round occurrence for many. The free fun runs combine a laid-back atmosphere with prizes, a chance to try new running shoes and a place to meet friends over a beer and food afterward.
"It's a regular way to get out," said Mike Rehberg, a 46-year-old biologist for Fish and Game who has been participating in the runs since December.
"It's kind of like a goal, and it helps get you out in the middle of the week. More and more people are showing up. It's getting warmer and brighter. It's nice to be out in the sunshine."
Rehberg participates in the runs after work with his 9-year-old son, Nathan, who happens to be the faster of the two.
"He asked me during the run if he could just run ahead," Mike said. "He says, 'I go slow so I can stay with you, Papa.' "
John Clark of Skinny Raven said the Pub Run draws a wide range of age groups and skill levels. Many bring strollers or dogs with them. But Clark said the largest group is young professionals looking for something social to do on a Tuesday night.
"You have the full gambit, but there's a lot of that younger millennial crowd … that are looking for a fun social way to do something at night rather than go home and watch TV or head straight to the bar," Clark said.
This week's run drew more than 400 runners, and nearly 10,000 have participated since the pub runs began in May 2012.
Clark said 38 people showed up for the first one. During the summer about 500 to 600 participate each week.
Even in the dead of winter, regulars lace up their running shoes and head over to Skinny Raven on Tuesday night.
"I have friends from large cities that cannot believe the number of people we have show up," Clark said. "A lot of places, 15 runners is big for them — 100 is amazing — and we get over 100 when it's the middle of winter on the darkest, coldest snowiest day.
"Anywhere else, the store would probably be closed ... Alaskans are truly amazing people. They don't let anything get in their way."
So what keeps people coming to the Pub Run?
"The prizes lure you in," said Heidi Porter, 51, who is a regular along with her husband Tim and friend Donna Kenison. "Us three have all won free shoes. I have to say it takes a while, but that's a $150 (prize). And I got a really awesome water bottle, socks, shoelaces, race entries for the next (competitive) race — it's a great community event (and) it supports the pubs that we go to."
Everyone has a chance to win a prize in the weekly raffles at McGinley's Pub or Flattop Pizza, but runners also build up points by participating every week.
Clark said Skinny Raven uses an app called Belly, which allows runners to accumulate points every time they check in before the race with their phones or keycards. Participants only have to register for their first run. After that, they just check in at Skinny Raven before they run or at one of the pubs afterward. That's how Clark knows 10,000 people have participated over the years.
"People are very passionate about checking in," he said. "Probably 90 percent of the people check in before the run before they head out.
"Then they acquire their points for every run. So when you do 10 runs you get a pub run shirt. That's kind of like the most prized item."
Because of the large numbers that often show up, the Pub Run uses a rolling start. Clark said most participants sign in and start the run between 5 and 6 p.m. There is no race clock.
Clark said the runs are a win-win for everyone — the bars get more business on what would normally be a slow night, Skinny Raven Sports introduces runners to its vendors and products, and participants get a free fun run and maybe some prizes.
"It's one of those really unique situations where everything is a win-win," Clark said. "We have an opportunity to cultivate, develop more runners, take the runners that are already out there (and) give them a good social experience … It's just full circle."