Happy Runners flood the streets

PALMER — Palmer’s Happy Run Series may very well be the fastest growing running attraction in the Mat-Su Valley.

Every Monday evening at 6 p.m., running and walking enthusiasts gather at Active Soles Performance Footwear in the Koslosky Center to sign in for a roughly 5-kilometer jaunt around Palmer. The event is always free and ends at the Palmer City Alehouse where a raffle of donated prizes is held. So far, there has been a theme each week — such as red, white and blue, retro, and Alaska Grown — to encourage participation in a light-hearted way. This week, 250 people showed up to run or walk, a significant increase from the 30 people in attendance at the very first meeting, 11 weeks ago.

“We run a spin group out of Body In Balance [Physical Therapy in Palmer] but decided we needed another outlet for summer,” Kate Arnold of Active Soles said.

Currently, Active Soles gets new sponsors each week to provide prizes for the raffle and connect local runners with local businesses. Sunnie Francom Photography, Palmer City Ale House, Alaska Grown, Mat-Su Valley COALition, Buzzbizz Studios, Marcie Alice Photography, Kim and Gary Howell, UPS and We Run AK have all contributed so far.

“The community’s actually really stepped forward,” said Lance Arnold, Kate’s husband and co-worker, in regard to the impressive number of people and groups who have provided raffle prizes.

Kate Creations, Shake Your Day, Smart Wool and Kind Design in Colorado have also chipped in for the event by donating prizes.

Palmer City Alehouse Manager Mo Davis commented on the easygoing relationship between places like the Alehouse and Active Soles, which is central to the continued operation of Happy Runs.

“They just kind of showed up one day and said ‘hey can we stop here’ and we were like ‘yeah’,” Davis said. “We have a stage and a field out back, so it worked out so they could bring a bunch of water, and people can buy a beer if they want.”

The Skinny Raven Pub Run in Anchorage is a similar event that has inspired the Happy Run Series, Kate Arnold said. According to her, the Pub Run started two years ago and has garnered an average of 600 runners in recent months. This sort of open community is exactly what Active Soles is looking to foster as they continue to grow.

“Running clubs are nice but [having] fun is the best thing, and this is something you don’t have to pay for,” Arnold said.

Active Soles also sponsored the Pioneer Ridge Climb last week, and is looking to team up with Alaska Mountain Runners in the future.

“We hope to have it go through winter and get more of a race series going,” she said.

Debbie Mullin with Shake Your Day in Wasilla has been actively involved with the Happy Run Series since its second week and often invites patrons of her own business to come run or walk with the group.

“I’m just really trying to promote happiness and health,” Mullin said. “I’m 59 and I really think people should feel a great as I feel.”

For more information on future Happy Runs, visit the Active Soles Performance Footwear Facebook page.

Contact Caitlin Skvorc at Caitlin.skvorc@frontiersman.com.