News

The third Friday of December is now officially National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day – a clothing statement even non-Christians can wear. Our local second annual Ugly Holiday Sweater Fun Run was held Dec. 17 on the Arcata Plaza as a fundraiser for Humboldt Educare and organized by Arcata Main Street.

Given Humboldt Educate was the fundraising recipient, it was no surprise that a large number of youngsters, along with adults of all ages, participated in the 1-mile and 5-kilometer runs. Their ugly sweaters reflected a wide range of cute, naughty or nice and funny home-made creativity as well as selections purchased on the Internet.

Prizes were given out in a mix of categories for the "ugly" apparel. In the 1-mile run, Braden Dyar, 18, was the first male to cross the finish line (8:41) and Ruth Godline-Sullivan was the first female (8:42). Krystal Mendez was the first female to cross the finish line in the 5k (20:14) and Jasper Severn was the first male (18:11).

Whether you need a bit of motivation to lace up your shoes and go work off some of that holiday bounty or are just hungry for a bit of Christmas nostalgia as you pack up the decorations, take a look back at this slideshow from Mark Larson.