ANCHORAGE, Alaska — This one is sure to make somebody’s list of the dumbest things to do before you die:
Run down Anchorage’s Fourth Avenue shoulder-to-antlers with a bunch of reindeer.
In case that isn’t crazy enough for you, how about this:
Pay $20 to run down Fourth Avenue shoulder-to-antlers with a bunch of reindeer.
Forty people have already signed up to participate in the inaugural Running of the Reindeer, the northern version of Spain’s famous Running of the Bulls.
The event is part of this year’s Fur Rendezvous and happens Feb. 24, the first Sunday of the festival — when dogs and reindeer will own downtown Anchorage.
On that day, after the final heat of the World Championship Sled Dog Race, and after the reindeer compete in skijoring and sled-pulling races, a dozen or so reindeer will be set loose on snow-packed, fence-lined Fourth Avenue.
They’ll be joined by those who paid good money for the chance to be trampled.
“I think we’ll have to turn people away,” said Bob Lester, a KWHL disc jockey who dreamed up the idea.
Fur Rendezvous officials are capping participation at 1,000 — 500 men and 500 women, who will run with the reindeer separately.
Officials are spending $900 on liability insurance, in case anyone really does get trampled by Rudolph or one of his friends — although reindeer experts say there’s more risk for the animals than the people.
Since 1986, reindeer farmer Tom Williams has welcomed anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 tourists a year to his farm in the Butte, where visitors are allowed physical contact with the animals. “And we’ve never had a liability claim,” he said.
“I’m more scared for my reindeer,” said Williams, who will supply deer for both the skijoring-sled races and the Running of the Reindeer.
“The reindeer give me no pause. The people give me pause. If the people start acting subhuman, they might cause the deer to act subhuman.”
If a runner tries something stupid like climbing on a deer, or if the whole scene spooks a deer, an animal could be injured trying to get away.
But Williams doesn’t think that will happen. In fact, he’s worried the reindeer will be more docile than dangerous.
“I’ll probably be trying to solve the biggest problem of all — lack of fear and motivation, and a love for the people,” he said. “I’m afraid the deer are just gonna stand there. It may be a very slow walk, with the animals sticking their noses in people’s pockets, looking for something to eat.”
On the Net
Learn more about Anchorage’s annual Fur Rendezvous events at www.furrondy.net.
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