The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – A nippy nineteen degrees didn't deter a group of Waitsburg residents from welcoming in the new year with a bit of fun and fitness. On the evening of Dec. 29, Dan Nechodom put out a Facebook invite for anyone interested to join him for an informal 5K run/walk/crawl on the morning of Jan. 1.

Nechodom dubbed it the FFFF, or Freeze yer Fannie on the First for Five K. And true to the math teacher that he is, quickly nicknamed it the F^4 (four to the fourth) 5K.

Nine hardy runners/walkers showed up at Preston Park, all smiles, and ready to tackle the route out Millrace Road to Taggart, back to DeWitt Rd., then back down Taggart to the highway, and back to the park where they enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa.

The Times asked participants why they chose to spend the first morning of the new year freezing their fannies.

Maria Garcia: "I'm asking myself the same question!"

Kevin House: "I was already up, taking Seamus to catch the bus to Bluewood so I thought I might as well."

Dena Wood

Christy, Tom, and Kevin House

Tom House: "I like to run."

Christy House: "I blame it on Lori (Dyer). She likes to take me down the rabbit hole."

Lori Dyer: "It's my job to take Christy down the rabbit hole."

Diane Dill: "I'm just walking it for fun. It sounded like something fun to do."

Tracy Barron: "Why not!?"

Joanna Lanning: "I'm just walking, but it sounded like fun."

Joanna's dog Bea pled the fifth, refusing to even acknowledge the camera.

Dan Nechodom: "It was just an idea. I didn't say it was a good idea!"

Judging by the smiles on the faces and the laughter from the participants, it looked like a pretty good idea from the other side of the lens.