Alana Martin speaks before the start of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Alana Martin speaks before the start of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Working up a sweat discouraged in the search for a cure

Brewery to Bathroom benefits American Cancer Society

Under sunny skies Sunday, dozens gathered to combat cancer by walking, relaxing, eating donuts and smiling.

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.

Before the race, organizer Alana Martin spoke about the American Cancer Society — saying they’re the organization that has donated the second largest sum toward cancer research, behind only the federal government.

In addition to pursuing cancer research, they also provide transportation grants. In Alaska, she said, the society has provided nearly 6,000 free rides to nearly 300 patients who have to travel for treatment.

That’s the work, she said, that the race is supporting. Before this year’s numbers were added, Brewery to Bathroom had raised more than $16,000. On Monday, Martin wrote that this year’s fundraiser had brought in $5,328 — raising the program’s total well over $21,000.

Before the race, Martin asked the gathered athletes to raise their hands if they “don’t know anyone who has been touched by cancer.”

“The day that we are all here raising our hands is the day that we can stop fighting,” she said. “I’m not a doctor and I’m not a researcher, but I can walk a third of a mile and eat donuts every year until we get there.”

Racers on Sunday started at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, then casually strolled all the way to the Soldotna Creek Park bathrooms. Some racers completed the race in only a couple of minutes, while the final stragglers sauntered over the finish line without even a bead of sweat around 30 minutes later.

Racers didn’t even have to round the first bend to see a couch ready and waiting for those in need of a quick break. Right up the hill, the Kenai Watershed Forum hosted a rehydration station in front of their offices, passing out cups of water and Goldfish crackers.

Along the path were “demotivators,” signs with less-than-encouraging messages like “Today I am going to give it my some,” or “I have a black belt in partial arts.”

The halfway point was nearly within sight of the rehydration station. Kenai Lions Club members were ready and waiting at the refueling station — doughnut holes on the menu. Before turning around and beginning the arduous trek back to the brewery, athletes could stop by the selfie station — sticking their heads through hanging toilet seats for a quick photo opportunity.

After the race, awards were given to the “.5K-est,” the groups that best exemplified the spirit of the race. A group attired in dinosaur costumes, the Dino Divas, were named runners-up. They fell short of the top spot because their costumes were too hot — sweating was expressly discouraged.

Claiming the prestigious award was the Kenai Peninsula Outdoors Club. Each member wore life jackets and carried a paddle. The group even towed along a kayak.

The real winners were those who participated in the race via the couch-to-couch option. For an increased donation the athletes most dedicated to the spirit of the .5K could participate without leaving their own home. Martin said she would be mailing them the race swag and snacks they missed out on.

For more information, visit facebook.com/RFLofAKSouth.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Nicole Murphy and Alana Martin speak before the start of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nicole Murphy and Alana Martin speak before the start of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Racers ready for the start of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Racers ready for the start of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Outdoors Club participate in the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Outdoors Club participate in the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Members of the Kenai Lions Club pass out donuts to participants of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Members of the Kenai Lions Club pass out donuts to participants of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Participants use the selfie station during the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Participants use the selfie station during the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The Dino Divas participate in the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

The Dino Divas participate in the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Members of the Kenai Watershed Forum pass out water and snacks during the Brewery to Bathroom .5K in front of their office in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Members of the Kenai Watershed Forum pass out water and snacks during the Brewery to Bathroom .5K in front of their office in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Clara Nelson takes a well-deserved rest on a couch during the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Clara Nelson takes a well-deserved rest on a couch during the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Participants arrive at the finish line of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Participants arrive at the finish line of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Participants arrive at the finish line of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Participants arrive at the finish line of the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Outdoors Club participate in the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Outdoors Club participate in the Brewery to Bathroom .5K at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

More in Sports

Soldotna's Andrew Pieh intercepts a pass intended for Chugiak's Kaden Lockwood on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Justin Maile Field at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna football routs Chugiak on senior night to stay perfect

The Soldotna football team defeated Chugiak 63-7 on Friday in Railbelt Conference… Continue reading

tease
Friday: Brown Bears finish strong to top Jr. Blues

The visiting Kenai River Brown Bears defeated the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues… Continue reading

tease
Dahl, Aldridge take wins at 3rd week of Chainwreck Cyclocross

Nels Dahl and Morgan Aldridge took victories at the third week of… Continue reading

tease
Friday volleyball: Nikiski tops Seward; Kenai goes undefeated in Slamma Jamma bracket play

The visiting Nikiski volleyball team defeated Seward 25-22, 25-20, 20-25 and 25-19… Continue reading

Soldotna's Tania Boonstra sprints to victory in the Kenai Peninsula Borough girls race Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai’s Fallon, Soldotna’s Boonstra run to borough titles

Soldotna sophomore Tania Boonstra and Kenai Central senior Greg Fallon won the… Continue reading

tease
Thursday volleyball: Kenai goes undefeated in Slamma Jamma pool play

The Kenai and Homer volleyball teams opened up play Thursday at the… Continue reading

tease
Tuesday volleyball: Seward defeats Soldotna in 5 sets

The host Seward volleyball team defeated Soldotna 20-25, 25-16, 25-17, 22-25 and… Continue reading

tease
Endurance roundup: Pikes Peak Ascent, Chainwreck Cyclocross, Equinox Marathon

Allie Ostrander, a 2015 graduate of Kenai Central now living in Seattle,… Continue reading

Seward head coach Tyler Mallory presents the Fish Bowl to his team after the Seahawks defeated Nikiski 34-18 on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Nikiski Middle-High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward football takes Fish Bowl from Nikiski

The Seward football team defeated Nikiski 34-18 on Saturday at Nikiski Middle-High… Continue reading

Most Read