Raising money in support of cancer research is “serious” work, but this weekend, the effort will put on a sillier face. Brewery to Bathroom is an annual race put on by the American Cancer Society of Alaska and the local chapter of Relay for Life — but it’s only a 0.5K, a sort-of-parody of other charity 5K runs like the Relay for Life itself.
The event will be held Sunday at Kenai River Brewing, with in-person registration at 10:30 a.m., the race at 11 a.m. and an after party at the brewery at noon.
The course is only around three-tenths of a mile long, organizer Alana Martin said Friday. It begins at the brewery, under the traditional Relay for Life arch, then goes to the bathrooms at Soldotna Creek Park and back.
Ahead of the race start, there will be guided stretching — advanced techniques like “grab the remote control.”
Martin said that the race takes “on your best day,” an average of around 14 minutes to complete. The track is lined with “demotivators,” signs with jokes like “exercise, I thought you said extra fries.”
“Once you make the first bend, there’s always a couch. Just in case you need a breather,” she said.
At the quarter mark, Martin said the Kenai Watershed Forum will be hosting a rehydration station, and at the halfway point, before contestants double back, there’s a refueling station with snacks hosted by the Kenai Lions Club.
An award will be presented to the “0.5K-est,” the person who best embodies the laid-back spirit of the event.
Proceeds from the event are used both to advance cancer research and to provide local support to those battling the illness. Martin said that it’s tremendously important work — work largely done by medical professionals. She can’t do that research, but she can write a silly speech and put on a lighthearted fundraiser.
“We’re there for serious reasons, but it’s great to have some fun and get to celebrate that we can be there,” she said.
Registration can be done at the event or online through the Facebook event page “2023 Brewery to Bathroom .5K ‘The Race for the Rest of Us’.” Registration can also be done by phone at 800-227-2345.
Registration is $20 per person or $50 for a family of four. All registration will increase by $5 on the day of the event. Another option is the “Couch 2 Couch” registration, wherein for $30 an athlete can instead stay home, their “race swag” mailed to them by Martin.
For more information, visit facebook.com/RFLofAKSouth.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
