Cooler running 

Summer
temperatures in Oklahoma always fall into one of two
categories: There’s hot, and then there’s really
hot.

There
is always a plethora of outdoor events available in Oklahoma City,
but when the temperatures shoot past 100, some people balk in
favor of air conditioning. And running outside? You can’t even walk
without melting into a puddle.

Fortunately,
the geniuses at City Arts Council came up with the Midnight Streak, a
5k run and arts event that takes place after dark. The blessed lack
of direct sun makes a huge difference — normally around
20 degrees, and the atmosphere of the run makes things cooler
yet.

“Cooler
Runnings” is the theme for the annual Midnight Streak. The name is a play off the 1993 movie Cool
Runnings about a Jamaican Olympic bobsled team, as well as an
open statement for why City Arts Council chose to set its 5k at a
less-than-typical time.

“We
wanted to call it Cool Runnings,” said Rob Crissinger, spokesman for City Arts Center, “but it's still
Oklahoma. So we thought, 'OK, let’s not say that it’s
cool, let’s say that it’s cooler.'”

Cooler
is good enough for most people. In the 2011 Midnight Streak, more than
1,000 runners participated, ranging from serious competitors to social
joggers and walkers.

“I’ve
heard that, for a lot of people, this is the best 5k of
the year,” Crissinger said. “The arts community comes out, and
it’s at night, and it’s unique.”

The
male and female winners with the best overall times will receive an
original piece of art created in City Arts Center’s ceramics
studio. The top three finishers in each age group will receive
medals.

Since
the event is a fundraiser for the City Arts Council, it’s only
natural that the Midnight Streak would show off OKC’s artistic, as
well as athletic, side. Live music will be provided by reggae/ska
group Sunny Side Up, keeping with the Jamaican theme. An arts and
crafts tent is set up for the young and young-at-heart to make
glow-in-the-dark
art, and the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club will be on hand with
telescopes for stargazing.

Additionally,
the Eleanor Kirkpatrick Gallery’s Soaring Voices exhibit will
be open throughout event hours, so visitors can duck inside for an
air-conditioned break and take in some art. Soaring Voices
features contemporary ceramic work by Japanese women artists. It is
one of the four international exhibits the City Arts Council does
each year, made possible with the help of Midnight Streak.

Food
and beverages will be available for all attendees, and Subway will
provide post-race sandwiches and cookies to the runners.
Restaurant spokesperson Jared Fogler will also be present to announce
the winners of the third annual Subway Oklahoma City Weight Loss
Challenge before the race.