by Angela Blanchard
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- As the Fur Rendezvous festival tries to roar back into popularity, it's created something new with a very distinct Alaska flare.
The first-ever Running of the Reindeer took place Sunday afternoon. Thousands of people lined the streets to watch the reindeer run.
Even minutes before the race no one was sure what was going to happen, whether the animals would run, or simply mosey down the street.
The 1,000 participants, 500 men and 500 women quickly learned how the animals would react.
Handlers divided the heard in half and organizers ran two separate heats, giving the reindeer incentive to run.
The animals and participants ran six blocks down 4th Ave.
There were thrills and a few spills, but all in all the historic event went on without a hitch.
