Ashley Anklowitz/Sun Star
Beethoven, played by Steve Bainbridge, reaches the finish line.

At close to subzero temperatures of 2 degrees at the early 10 a.m. start, over 587 runners came out to see if they could out run Beethoven’s fifth symphony. Saturday’s 14th annual Beat Beethoven 5k race, hosted by the Fairbanks Symphony Association, was one to remember. This was the official start to the race season in Fairbanks, which consists of 8 races. The runners had roughly 32 minutes to cross the finish line at the last note of the fifth symphony played out from a near by car with large speakers in its trunk.

Conductor Edward Zilberkant acted as the gun to start the race. He waived his conductor’s stick and at that moment the music played and the runners were off.

All runners that were able to beat Beethoven won a voucher for a free ticket to any regular subscription concert during the 2008-2009 concert season of the option of purchasing a season ticket at a 20 percent discount. The first 600 runners who signed up received a free Beat Beethoven T-shirt.

The first person to finish the race was Chris Eversman a UAF student athlete and Fairbanks resident completed the race in 17:48.1. “This is my first time winning but I have run this race many times before,” said Chris, “this is home course and it was important for me to win it at least once. It just feels really nice to win.” When asked what he did to prepare for this strenuous race he said, “I run for the school and so I train all year round and it helps keep me in shape.”

The first female to cross the finish line was Elisabeth Habermann also a Fairbanks resident finished in 21:16.4. This too was her first time winning and her first time running the race. “I’m really excited to win this race and I’m on the ski and running teams at UAF so helped out on keeping me in shape for the race” said Elisabeth after the race.

The race was broadcasted by KSUA on FM channel 91.5 from start to finish. The race started and ended in the street in the front of the Patty Center. The course wrapped around the entire campus of UAF and was just over three miles long.

The goal was not only to beat Beethoven’s fifth symphony but Beethoven himself. Steve Bainbridge was dressed as Beethoven as he is every year and with a watch synchronized with the music stepped on over the finish line as the last note was played. He acted as a reference point for all runners. As long as you were ahead or right next to him you were guaranteed to win a prize. Ages ranged from children of 8 to adults of 80.

The safety of the runners was among the major priorities that the volunteer staff looked after. Timing was of the utmost importance and the funneling of the racers. Walkman/I-Pods, dogs and baby strollers were among the items that were prohibited during the race to ensure the safety of all runners.