Although it was not necessarily the most aesthetically-pleasing morning of the month thus far, Saturday proved to be a great day on the banks of the old Raritan. Rutgers University's Recreation Department has - since 2003 - put on the Big Chill 5K each December. In years past, in lieu of a registration fee, participants donated an unwrapped toy for a child who might otherwise not receive one. This year, in the race's post-COVID return, they changed it up a little. The 2,621 of us who ran or walked paid a $25.00 fee, which shall be used to purchase toys and winter clothing (such as coats) for children in need.
It was nice to see so many people out and about, doing a little bit of good, on an overcast (and occasionally drizzly) and unseasonably warm December morning here in the State of Concrete Gardens. I took these pictures just before the gun went off to begin the race, which give you some sense of the number of folks assembled on College Avenue.
I am happy too that my fellow running enthusiasts, Brooke and Gidg, each made 2021 her maiden voyage in the Big Chill. Brooke, who is the fastest of our little group (and by a sizable margin) had already finished and taken up a spot near the finish line waiting for Gidg and for me, as I ambled up College Avenue. I am glad she did for she not only bore witness to my near-death experience; she captured it on video!
It is not everyday that I get chased by a costumed character brandishing a broadsword, although as you can tell from my immediate embrace of evasive tactics, I am no stranger to running from angry and/or possibly angry people. I wish I could pin that entirely on being a lawyer but I reckon me being me has more than a little something to do with it.
-AK
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