Rudolph, reindeer, Santa Claus run for a cause; ‘Run Run Reindeer’: STGnews Photo Gallery

Written by Hollie Stark
December 6, 2014
Children line up to race Santa in the one mile kids run of the "Run Run Reindeer" family fun run held at Ivins City Park, Ivins, Utah, Dec. 6, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

IVINS – Hundreds of runners from the community and beyond turned up the festive spirit on Saturday at the “Run Run Reindeer” 10K, 5K and 1 mile run as they gathered at Ivins City Park in Ivins all decked out in reindeer antlers, Santa hats, fluffy tutus and ugly sweaters to enjoy a morning dedicated to health, family, fun and a good cause.

L-R Lois Kraus, Doug Hamilton and Marianne Hamilton don festive gear and prepare to race at the "Run Run Reindeer" family fun run in Ivins, Utah, Dec. 6, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
L-R Lois Kraus, Doug Hamilton and Marianne Hamilton don festive gear and prepare to race at the “Run Run Reindeer” family fun run in Ivins, Utah, Dec. 6, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

Now in its fourth year the “Run Run Reindeer” is put on by Red Mountain Running, the racing entity of the St. George Running Center, owner Steve Hooper said.

Hooper and his wife, Kendra Hooper, are co-race directors and took over the race two years ago, Hooper said. Since that time they have watched participation grow from 100 participants in years past to about 300 runners who come out to support the family friendly race this year.

“It’s fun,” Hooper said. “It’s fun seeing all the kids, all the families come out and get them doing something healthy and enjoying the season.”

The family atmosphere and choice in distances was a big draw for racers who wanted to come out and let all of their family participate.

“We like to have fun running as a family,” participant Tiffany Farnsworth said.

The whole Farnsworth family participated in the race dressed as Disney’s famous “Incredibles;” leftover costumes from Halloween, Tiffany Farnsworth said. Though their costumes were more super hero than holiday, they did add a Christmas twist by donning Santa hats, beards and reindeer antlers.

The incredible Farnsworth family gets ready to participate in the "Run Run Reindeer 10K, 5K and One Mile Kids Run" held in Ivins, Utah, Dec. 6, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
The incredible Farnsworth family gets ready to participate in the “Run Run Reindeer 10K, 5K and One Mile Kids Run” held in Ivins, Utah, Dec. 6, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

Many other runners came dressed up to add to the frivolity and costumes represented many famous characters of the season including the Grinch, Santa Claus, Buddy the Elf and Rudolph. A costume contest was part of the racing fun with the three best costumes being awarded a $25 gifft certificate to the St. George Running Center, Hooper said.

The race also acted a charity, benefiting the Toys for Tots drive which helps provide needy families with toys for Christmas.

The race entry fee for the kids 1 mile run was a new and unwrapped toy for the drive, Hooper said, and runners of every distance were encouraged to bring a toy for the cause.

“The whole idea is to get as many toys for Toys for Tots as possible,” Hooper said, “and then to have the kids feel like they are doing something for others as well.”

The Toys for Tots program collects and distributes toys for families in need of extra help over the holidays, Southern Utah Area Coordinator Rick Massey said. To receive help, those in need can log onto the Toys for Tots website and fill out an application and then, Massey said, they get the family names, sort the toys and deliver them.

Additionally, the area Toys for Tots program helps with Coins for Kids, Dixie Care and Share, The Learning Center and any place that needs help in the area, Massey said.

Massey has partnered with the “Run Run Reindeer” both with the previous operators and the St. George Running Center and praised the race for bringing together the community in the spirit of giving toys as well as the spirit of health and getting fit, he said.

Boxes are filled with new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots drive to help needy families, Ivins, Utah, Dec. 6, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Boxes are filled with new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots drive to help needy families, Ivins, Utah, Dec. 6, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

The “Run Run Reindeer” collected eight donation boxes full of toys, Massey said.

“That is going to be putting a lot of smiles on the faces of a lot of children,” Massey said.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

Resources – more Toys for Tots opportunities

  • To learn more about Toys for Tots click here
  • Dec. 13

    Dec. 16

    • What: Association of Retarded Citizens Dinner. The Elks Lodge will be sponsoring a dinner for ARC. The Marine Corps will assist other volunteers and local law enforcement agencies to help with the dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be present to hand out gifts to ARC.
    • When: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
    • Where:  Elks Lodge, 630 W 1250 N, St George

    Dec. 17

    • What: Coins for Kids Shopping Spree. The Marine Corps will join forces with KONY Coins for Kids and the community to support the shopping endeavor. Bring your best walking shoes and smiles to enjoy an evening of shopping and fun.
    • When: 5 to 9 p.m.
    • Where: Bloomington Wal-Mart, 2610 Pioneer Rd, St. George

    Dec. 18

    • What: Coins for Kids Gift Wrapping. The Marine Corps will join KONY Coins for Kids in gift wrapping
    • When: 8 a.m.
    • Where: Dixie Center, 1835 S Convention Center Dr, St. George

    Dec. 19

    • What: Coins for Kids Present Deliveries. Anyone can help make deliveries to the kids.
    • When: 3-8 p.m.
    • Where: Dixie Center, 1835 S Convention Center Dr, St. George

    Dec. 20

    • What: Toys for Tots Deliveries. Anyone can help make deliveries to the kids.
    • When: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    • Where: 450 North 3050 East, St. George

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hollie Stark is a writer, outdoor enthusiast, mother, and Southern Utah gal.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGNews

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