Last Sunday morning, as the fog was just starting to burn off from
the city’s skyline, hundreds of Vera Project volunteers and
supporters flocked to Seward Park in South Seattle for the very first
Run Vera Run fundraiser. For the past several months,
participants have been forming running teams, gathering pledges from
family and friends, and undergoing varying degrees of training. And
even though fun runs aren’t a unique way for organizations to raise
money, Run Vera Run was, of course, done Vera style.
Some people came dressed in the usual running attire; others got a
bit more creative, donning togas, matching team T-shirts, goofy ’80s
workout gear (think Wet Hot American Summer)—one guy
even ran in some kind of big, fuzzy, green mascot suit. I’m still not
sure what kind of creature that guy was supposed to be.
Before the run, Vera cofounder Shannon Stewart, “Inga” for the day,
gathered everyone around the stage and, with a thick, fake European
accent, led the group in a round of aerobic warm-up exercises that
included high fives, push-ups, and walking around in circles. Then,
after a few cheers of “Run, Vera, run!” at the starting line, the
racers were off—some sprinting the entire way, others taking
their time and enjoying the beautiful views of Lake Washington.
In the end, the Vera Project raised over $32,000—and
the prize for the team with the most money earned went to the
Fucking Crusaders, a motley crew composed of and sponsored by the
staff at Caffe Vita, Moe Bar, and Neumos.
The event wouldn’t have been complete without music. So, as the
early-
afternoon sun kept the participants warm after the run,
the Maldives took the stage to serenade the last few stragglers
as they crossed the finish line.
Fri Oct 16: Sunny Day Real Estate, the Jealous
Sound at the Paramount, 8 pm, $25.
Sat Oct 17: These Arms Are Snakes, DD/MM/YYYY,
Constant Lovers at the Vera Project, 7:30 pm, $10 ($9 w/ club
card).
Mon Oct 19: Islands, Jemina Pearl, Toro y Moi at
Chop Suey, 8 pm, $14 adv/$16 DOS.
Wed Oct 21: Bouncing Souls, Bayside, Broadway Calls
at Neumos, 7 pm, $20.
