While a 5K run hardly characterizes Fremont, people do turn out in droves for the Fremont Fun Run - and it isn't just for the beer. The event turns 21 this year, according to Pro-Motion Events, when people take to our streets on June 10th, 2005.

However, the 5K run/walk in many ways could take place anywhere. Our outrageous Briefcase Relay, literally the forerunner to the Fun Run, developed straight from our heart and a desire stronger than good health - the primal urge to avoid pain.

Nora holds the corporate trophy Briefcase Relay 1991

In 1985 the Fremont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, in an admirable show of support to the Fun Run, decided to participate in the race. The event raises money for the Fremont Public Association, our non-profit organization of almost 30 programs that serves low-income individuals and families throughout King County. This event, along

with the FPA's Street Fair, also assisted our once struggling business district by bringing people to shop and enjoy. The Chamber Board showed their support and ran.

I witnessed the scene and, believe me, it struck fear in the hearts of many. Distressed spectators muttered anxiously about CPR training as we watched them huff their way to the finish line. Needless to say, Board members didn't come in with the first wave of runners, or the second, or the third… but all made it through with a strong desire to find a better way to 'help'.

Instead of everyone clawing their way to the finish line, they decided to take the 5K in stages. They invented a relay race involving a briefcase hand-off between runners wearing business attire mixed with a little friendly competition.

Birth of the Briefcase Relay

The Chamber Pot "Slug Cup" Briefcase Relay 1991

The May 1992 Chamber newsletter says the first relay took place in 1986. By then they called it an inter-Chamber competitive event. Mike Peck, of Fremont Architectural Pottery, created a 'beautiful' Chamber Pot of Commerce, sometimes referred to as the Slug Cup, to put on display in the community that won for the year between races.

While I would not call us runners, I would call us possessive. The lovely Chamber Pot grew so comfortable in our midst that we turned loath to part with it. We competed against the Wallingford, Greenwood and Beacon Hill Chambers plus one year a team from the Seattle City Council. Our neighbors to the west, the Ballard Chamber, finally took the prize, once, and we came back with a vengeance.

Eddie Devine, an employee at the Red Door Ale House, took a leg of the race the following year. From there he took over the role of Captain and found other runners within Fremont to form a crackerjack team. Now the Chamber Pot sits securely on display at the Red Door, except for one Friday every year when we show it at the race before Eddie sees that it returns 'home'.

The Non-Runners

In the early days those of us in the Chamber that lacked ability, or courage, to run were pressed into service by Jim Daly as race marshals. It's been described as having foxes guard the hen house. Race marshals mark the route of the race, block car traffic while runners race across an intersection (who needs the police to block traffic if you have a Suzie Burke) and watch over hand-offs. We never intentionally sent the Ballard team on a wrong turn (no matter what you've heard) that one year. We can't help it if they don't know the neighborhood.

Fremont Chamber Briefcase Relay Team 1988

Now Pro-Motion Events organizes both races, held on the Friday evening a week before the Fremont Street Fair, and they provide marshals. A Briefcase Relay runner wears business attire from the waist up (with running attire usually being the bottom half.) They carry a briefcase, and a regulation phonebook. Each team will now be provided with a 2005 edition of the Seattle Metro Directory by Dex Media - a natural fitas sponsor of the event.

Suzie (Burke) Groves brings the phonebooks for the Briefcase Relay 1988

Run On Down

The Fremont Public Association has had excellent luck and the Briefcase Relay/Fun Run usually take place at twilight on a pleasant sunny summer evening. If you want to run, entry fees start at $25 for both races. More information is available at www.promotionevents.com. They've planned a great post-race celebration with food, drinks, prizes and music at Adobe Plaza plus a traditional Fremont beer garden, poured by Georgetown Brewing.

If you want fun, watch the Briefcase Relay folks in their often outrageous outfits then walk the 'race'. A 5K walk, or run, around our community on a summer evening really can't be beat, nor can the promise of Fremont fellowship being shared at the end of it all.

June 2005