By JEANNETTE J. LEE
Associated Press Writer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - From sausages to stews, reindeer are
usually a main dish in Alaska.
But the antlered animals were the main event at Anchorage's
first annual running of the reindeer.
A cheering crowd of hundreds lined snow-packed Fourth Avenue
Sunday to watch what was touted as Alaska's version of Spain's
famed running of the bulls.
"Normally we just eat them," said Mark Berg, a spectator who
has lived in Alaska since 1967. "I just made some jambalaya the
other day out of reindeer sausage. I've eaten more of their cousins
than they want to know."
Seven little reindeer, looking a bit bewildered, stood next to
their handlers as a crowd of roughly 1,000 costumed runners chatted
excitedly at the start.
The reindeer were lined up behind the first heat of runners -
several hundred women in costume. One had taped a paper bulls-eye
to her back. Others masqueraded as carrots and lichen, both
favorite foods of reindeer.
At the signal to go, the reindeer stampeded into the crowd.
Passing tourist shops, the downtown federal building and a stand
selling reindeer hotdogs, the animals were well out in front by the
halfway point.
"We thought, 'Ok, they're just going to mosey along,' but they
took off running," said Amanda Pelkola, who dressed as a carrot
with a friend. "We got smoked by the reindeer."

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)