The Candy Cane Lane Run is a 5K run/walk event for all ages on Saturday, Dec. 21. But there’s a twist: This is an evening run in the dark, and you even get your own 200 lumens headlamp included with registration.
Race organizer Jimmy Addison says, "The nighttime course will be especially exciting for children because it can feel like exploring a cave with hundreds of others.”
Runners will begin in and end in Ravenna Park, with easy access to the entrance of Northeast Park Road, or as it is known this time of year, Candy Cane Lane. The neighborhood is celebrating its 70th year of brilliant holiday lighting, a tradition that began when 23 houses entered and won a 1949 Seattle Times contest encouraged residents to see who could display the most Christmas cheer.
Expect caroling, grilled cheese, hot chocolate and more. Stroll down the illuminated holiday lane and get your photo taken with Santa. Dressing up in holiday costumes, holiday light necklaces, and lightup or reflective running gear is encouraged.
The course itself is an uneven trail run along sections of hard-packed dirt. The trail winds through tall trees on well-established paths. You might notice the nearby Ravenna ravine or creek.
"The 5K trail route is a dumbbell-shaped course. The east and west ends of the course are semi-lit with park and street lamps, however as you enter the ravine in the long middle sections it will be much darker, which I know is what makes this event particularly unique and exciting," says Addison.
Strollers should have wheels suited for mixed terrain and strong brakes. At the 1.5-mile mark, there will be curbs to go up and down with race marshall assistance, and a short stretch with bumps and tree roots under the 15th Avenue Northeast bridge. There will be cones with arrow signs and reflective tape that will light up like a Christmas tree when the light from headlamps shines at it. Please keep safety in mind by avoiding retractable pet leashes and staying aware of uneven terrain.
While the event is timed and will have officially posted results, you need not be a competitive distance runner to attend. Faster trail runners (those sub-8-minute miles) are simply asked to start up front, while slower runners and strollers are asked to begin near the back. The first wave will be limited to completing the track within an hour to allow the second wave to begin, but most people can comfortably finish this at a walking pace. For those who would like to participate but need something a little lighter, trying the 1-mile run/walk option instead.
At the time of publication, this event has already proven popular in the running community. The first wave filled to 50 percent capacity within just two weeks, prompting the addition of a second wave. The run is currently estimated at around 2,200 participants across three events. It is expected to sell out.
Event activities run from 4-7 pm, with the first run/walk event beginning at 4:15 pm. The event is raising money for the University District Food Bank. Carpooling and public transport encouraged. Additional parking details and gear check information are available on the run website.
If you’d like to sign up, use promo code SCHILD15 for 15% off registration.
