Fitness

This weekend's 5K Furry Fun Run definitely lived up to the trend that I've noticed over the past couple years. Plain and simple, more people (and pets in this case) are getting out and running races. At least it sure seemed that way until I looked for the quantitative data to support my anecdote.

According to Perfect Time Events, there were 865 runners in 2004, 881 runners in 2005, and only 881 runners in 2006. It's a little hard to believe that the past two years would see exactly the same number of runners. It also doesn't "feel" correct that the races for the past three years only varied by 16 runners. These numbers don't at all jibe with the Seattle Animal Shelter's annual report on the race, which counted over 2,600 runners and walkers in 2005. (I'll contact the Seattle Animal Shelter and ask if they'll provide summary registration information for the past several years, and then I'll update this posting.)

Whatever the case, there was excellent participation at today's race. As a fundraiser, it generates between $90,000 and $100,000 annually for the Help the Animals Fund. The Google Earth map of the race acquired with my Garmin Forerunner 305 will give you a virtual tour of the race path so that you can decide for yourself.