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Photos | Course
Map | United
Bank & Trust
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
- show up at The Bank Sign ~11:45pm on December 31
- celebrate New Year with group photo at 12:00am
- begin non-competitive, fun run/walk immediately after photo
- run/walk from the United Bank Sign to the High School flagpole and
back (map)
- 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
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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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