Winking Lizard’s A Shot in the Dark doesn’t have a whole lot in common with other local runs. For one thing, the annual fave doesn’t begin till after 5 p.m. — not first thing in the morning like most sweat-breakers. And participants are greeted at the finish line with a beer garden and live music. “This race feels more like entertainment to a lot of people, rather than an all-out competitive event,” says spokesman Nick Swingos. “People who could care less about competing show up.” A Shot in the Dark includes a four-mile run, a two-person team run, and a two-mile family walk. Contestants receive commemorative T-shirts, goodie bags, and sandwiches — but it’s the after-party that makes it all worth the effort. “We like that people think of it as entertaining exercise,” says Swingos. “A party at the end of the race seems like the perfect incentive to finish.”
Sat., July 21, 5:20 p.m.

This article appears in Jul 18-24, 2007.