ST. GEORGE — Breaking news from the North Pole: “Santa’s reindeer have broken loose.” Calling all Santa’s helpers to slip on their candy cane socks, pull out their ugliest Christmas sweaters and help chase down Rudolph at the 8th annual “Run Run Reindeer 5k.”
The St. George Running Center and Planet 105.1 invite the public to join them for a family-friendly fun run Dec. 22 that everyone can enjoy.
Planet 101.5 DJs Colleen Rue and Matt Wilber told St. George News the event will be guaranteed fun for everyone, rain or shine — even on the coldest of days.
This is Planet 101.5’s third year hosting the event, which takes place at the Ivins City Park with Christmas music playing and “Run Run Reindeer selfie stations” all along the course for everyone to share their holiday fun.
“Families are there,” Wilber said. “It’s a fun little tradition for people.”
The first 500 people to register will receive their own pair of foam antlers, and every race participant who registers earlier enough will receive a Run Run Reindeer T-shirt. A big, 4-inch finisher medal will be handed out to participants, which Rue said really stands out from awards at other races.
“You can use them every year as a Christmas ornament if you wanted to on your tree,” Rue said of the medals.
The race is not competitive and is all about having a good time. While it isn’t a timed race, the first three male and female finishers will receive prizes from the St. George Running Center and Runway Fashion Exchange.
“Everybody’s all dressed up; it’s families together,” Rue said. “You can push the kids in the stroller, grandma can walk with you — it’s untimed. It’s just fun.”
After the race, the entertainment continues with giveaways, prizes, donuts and hot chocolate from Lin’s Market, muffins from Smith’s and a contest for the best-dressed participants of the day. The four runners with the most festive outfits will get $25 gift cards toward anything at the St. George Running Center. And the person with the ugliest sweater of the day wins a $50 gift card.
Rue said there were some really terrible sweaters at last year’s race, like one lady with a poinsettia sweater that was so amazing, it made her stand back and say, “Wow, you won.”
“It is the home-brewed ones that really are the good ones,” she said, “because the ones you buy at the store are pretty classy, pretty funny, but there are some people who go crazy.”
This year will benefit the “Toys for Tots” program, and everyone is welcome, but not required, to bring an unopened toy to help others in need of Christmas cheer. Last year the event helped over 300 youngsters receive gifts, and $2 from every race entry will go to benefit the deserving program.
Registration is $35 for the first person and $20 for each additional member of your group, up to six people.
Online registration will be available until Thursday at 11:59 p.m., but those who want an official T-shirt will need to register by noon Monday.
Packet pickup will be Friday from 2-8 p.m. at the St. George Running Center and 8-8:45 a.m. Saturday morning before the race.
Event details
- What: Run Run Reindeer 5K.
- When: Saturday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m.
- Where: Ivins City Park, 100 N. Main Street, Ivins.
- Cost: First runner is $35, and each additional group member is $20 for up to six people.
- Register: Online until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20.
- Run Run Reindeer: Website | Facebook.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews | @andrewjpinckney
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.
Here we go again with the stupid Cloud9 Vapor ad. Right in the middle of a family friendly article. Do we have to endure this crap because of the latest BS survey saying that Vapor is less toxic than cigarettes. That’s not the point! its the fact that kids and young adults think its cool to smoke. I have been struggling with my addiction to smoking for almost 22yrs, ITS NOT COOL TO SMOKE! I can tell you right now, if your going to try and look cool and rebellious, then smoke a real cigarette. Then people will really look out of the corner of their eye at you! Not to mention you wont feel compelled to wear skinny jeans or a beanie in the middle of July. GO FALCONS!