Gumshoe Facts
In the late 1800s, gumshoe was slang for bad guys lurking about in stealthy footwear - criminals who favored shoes with the newly developed, silent, gum rubber soles that allowed them to carry out their clandestine activities with just a bit of extra skulk. Apparently, the good guys caught on quickly and started wearing the same shoes. By 1908, "gumshoe" switched meanings and no longer referred to the bad guys. Instead, it became slang for the good guys who caught the bad guys.
Are you a good gumshoe? Or a bad one? Regardless, prove your sleuthing mettle by participating in the Fourth Annual Gumshoe 5K Walk, Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 16, 2009. Not only do you have the chance to win a Fred Meyer $250, $150 or $100 gift certificate, you will raise money to help support the Greenwood Senior Center.
How to Do the Gumshoe
The Gumshoe requires you to solve simple clues as you wend your way along a roughly three-mile route through Seattle’s Phinney/Greenwood neighborhood. The first step is to buy a Gumshoe entry form at one of the following locations. They go on sale Friday, August 7.
- Phinney Neighborhood Association
- 6532 Phinney Ave. N.
- Ken's Market
- 7231 Greenwood Ave. N.
- Metropolis
- 7321 Greenwood Ave. N.
Sure, you can buy a single entry form for $20 and do the Gumshoe solo. But real gumshoes recruit sidekicks. Travis McGee has Meyer, the economist. Kinsey Millhone relies on her octogenarian landlord Henry Pitts. And, of course, Sherlock Holmes turns to his ever-faithful Dr. Watson. The least you can do is draft an astrophysicist. Or your kids. Or your friends. Buy your entry forms together and pay just $15 per person — one of this year's new GumGroup Deals.
Once you have your entry form, simply solve the clues. They will lead you along the walk. Do the Gumshoe in one day or over several - experienced gumshoes report it takes about three hours. Be sure to return your entry form to one of the above locations by 6 p.m. Sunday, August 16, to be entered for the prize drawing.
Other Chances to Win
Besides doing the Gumshoe, you can purchase an official Gumshoe Tee Shirt — just wearing it makes you a winner! But if that’s not reward enough, check out these other opportunities to win!
Walk! Discover! Win!
