Run, regatta team up for busy weekend </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 9:44 AM on Thursday, June 25, 2009

Run, regatta team up for busy weekend

Staff report
Staff report

By land and by sea, there's plenty of starting-line action this weekend as the Homer News Spit Run and Land's End Regatta draw a crowd of participants and spectators.

About 200 runners, walkers and stroller-pushers -- some participants even show up in costume -- are expected to enter the 10-K run that begins in the Homer High School parking lot Saturday morning and finishes near Land's End Resort. Free online registration has closed. Anyone wanting to register can do so at the Homer News, 3482 Landings St., or before the race. Late registration is $5. There is no cost for runners under the age of 18.

The S/V Pegasus, captained by Johann LAST NAME, claimed second place overall in last weekend's regatta.

Race check-in and last-minute registration begin at the high school parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, with the race starting at 10 a.m. Official timing continues until noon.

A free shuttle will be available until noon for runners needing to return to the school to pick up their cars.

Spit Run T-shirts will be available at the high school before the race, as well as at the finish line. Cost is $20 for short-sleeved shirts and $25 for long-sleeved shirts. The shirts are available now at the Homer News.

As in past years, there is a post-race party on the deck of Land's End. Music by Johnny B will keep the tempo up and food will be available for purchase.

The Spit Run is sponsored by the Homer News, South Peninsula Hospital and Homer Senior Citizens Inc.

The regatta officially begins Friday with a 6 p.m. registration and a 7 p.m. sailing seminar at Land's End Resort. Angus Brackett of North Sails will discuss sail trim, followed by a safety seminar at 8:30 p.m. and a skippers' meeting and crew sign-in at 9 p.m.

Saturday, a pre-race skippers' meeting will be held on the Homer Harbor P Float, with the race starting at 1:30 p.m. Non-sailors can observe the action from the beach at Land's End.

A race debriefing follows Saturday's race. It will be held on P Float.

The second half of the regatta continues Sunday with a skipper's meeting at P Float at 11 a.m., and the race starting at 1:30 p.m. Again, the public is invited to watch the action from the beach at Land's End Resort. A "Brew and Bluster" event gives captains, crews and sailing enthusiasts an opportunity to swap regatta tall tales at Land's End Resort's Quarter Deck at 5:30 p.m., followed by an awards banquet at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about the Homer News Spit Run, contact Lori Evans at the Homer News, 235-7767, ext. 223. For information on the Land's End Regatta, call 235-8503.