Sabetha, Kansas 

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Join a bunch of crazy, social misfits who have nothing better to do on New Year's Eve than to risk potential frostbite, icy roads and drunk drivers...

...of course, there's always the chance that we may get unseasonably warm weather with clear roads and hey, you're lucky to see ANY drivers at that hour in Sabetha anyway.

If that doesn't have you on the edge of your seat, wondering how you can get out of that New Year's Eve party you already committed to...well, let me add some fuel to the fire: not only will you have the opportunity to run a casual 2 miles or so with a bunch of lunatics, BUT!...you will get to do it by the light of streetlamps with no traffic control!

Not enough you say? Then consider this: you'll also get to pose for the "Official Bank Sign Photo" as the clock turns over to the new year.

Still on the fence? Well, how about I sweeten the offer with the promise of some belly-warming snacks at the finish?

I knew that might get you...

Now, how much would you pay for an experience like that? $20? ... $50? ... how about $100?

Well, I'm here to tell you that you can have all this for the low, low price of...nothing.

No cost?

No cost. Yes! This is the offer of a lifetime. Operators would be standing by to take your call and reserve your spot for this limited event...but, and here's the best part, you don't even have to reserve a spot...just show up!


Instructions

  1. show up at The Bank Sign ~11:45pm on December 31
  2. celebrate New Year with group photo at 12:00am
  3. begin non-competitive, fun run/walk immediately after photo
  4. run/walk from the United Bank Sign to the High School flagpole and back (map)
  5. enjoy snacks and conversation at the finish in the United Bank & Trust Drive-Thru

Summary

  •  no entry fee
  •  no support
  •  no t-shirt
  •  no results
  •  no awards
  •  ~2 miles

The Course

The event will start and finish at the "Bank Sign" in front of United Bank & Trust at Main & Washington. The course is a little more than 2 miles and runs from United Bank & Trust to the High School Flagpole and back. The official route we will take will be determined that night by the group. This is a no-frills, glorified group run/walk meant to give folks a crazy fitness goal...finishing times are not important (and racing would be dangerous in the dark anyway).

No support will be available on the course.


Directions

United Bank & Trust is located at Main & Washington Streets in Sabetha. Best way to get there is to travel west on Main Street from US Highway 75 for a little over 1/2 mile. (directions)


After finishing, warm up from the cold with some snacks and conversation in the United Bank & Trust Drive-Thru building.


Thank you to United Bank & Trust for allowing us to use their facilities and for making special arrangements to leave the Bank Sign on past midnight.


Rick Smith
RunSabetha

315 Grant
Sabetha, KS 66534
785.284.3482 (w)
785.284.2303 (h)

e-mail

 

INSANITY - How else do you explain a tradition like the Sabetha New Years Eve Midnight Run?


A Bit of History

The first New Years Eve Run started on December 31, 1977 and finished in the early morning of 1978. Original members of this prestigious event were Rich and Marlene Ayers (Kansas City), Ron and Linda Strader (Holton), and Sam and Phyllis Cook (Duluth, MN). According to Rich's log, the first run was "10 degrees and icy with strong north winds."

The more things change...


December 31, 2008

Join us for the 32nd run since Sam and Phyllis Cook, Rich and Marlene Ayers, and Ron and Linda Strader started this crazy tradition back in 1977-78.

December 31, 2007

"12:00     19°"
— The Bank Sign, January 1, 2008

Predictably, as the temps dropped this year, so did attendance. Yet, more than 35 brave souls still ran, walked, slipped and slid the annual route from the Bank Sign to the High School Flagpole and back, each competing for the honor and privilege of taking part in a tradition dating back to December 31, 1977. A quick scan of participants revealed adults, kids, a dog, and more than a couple folks who had clearly had too much to drink...wait, nevermind...those folks were part of the party at Scooters (across the street). (No excuse for the guy in shorts, though.) And for these heroic efforts, the finishers received...nothing. Actually, afterwards, everyone enjoyed hot apple cider, some cookies, and Linda Baumgartner's famous cinnamon rolls and cherry kolaches. Most importantly, no one was hurt on the course and everyone made it home safely (I assume...come on, at that hour, it's not like anyone really checks...)

December 31, 2006 (30th Year)

Wow. Approximately 60 people of questionable intelligence showed up in 20-degree (F) temps and a cold wind to enjoy the 30th running. Joining the fray this year were Ron and Linda Strader and Rich and Marlene Ayers, four of the six founders of this event in 1977-78. (The other two founders, Sam and Phyllis Cook of Minnesota, could not make it...or perhaps they have simply wised up in the last 30 years.) Afterwards, everyone enjoyed chicken-noodle soup, homemade cinnamon rolls and cherry-filled kolaches (also spelled kolace, kolach, or kolacky...look it up) from Linda Baumgartner, and cookies from Marlene Ayers. And this year as a special treat, United Bank & Trust helped provide a complimentary stainless steel thermos to everyone who participated. In addition, Rich "Santa" Ayers came bearing gifts of cotton "runner's gloves" for everyone...even those who ran in shorts. All in all, another great event...no one got hurt, everyone got gifts, and some even had some fun.

December 31, 2005

Another great crowd...lots of fun, food and fellowship to bring in the new year. We ended up with 56 names on the sign-in sheet and that doesn't come close to accounting for everybody who was there in the balmy 38 degree (F) temps.

December 31, 2004

A tremendous turnout...more than 50 men, women, children and dogs showed up to run and walk on Friday night under clear skies and freezing temps. (Okay, "freezing" is a stretch, but the sign did read 32 degreesF, so technically...) After a ceremonial photograph or two, the masses made their way through the darkened streets to the High School flagpole and back to the United Bank & Trust Drive-Through facility for soup, snacks and conversation. Everyone made it back, and I think most even had a little bit of fun.


A clip from last year...



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