Run Run Reindeer

We participated in the 1 mile Run Run Reindeer run this morning in Ivins. It was tons of fun. I registered for the 5K but ended up doing the 1 mile run with Courtney. But I still got a shirt...which is the smallest large I have ever seen in my life (I think it's a youth large shirt because it fits Ethan perfectly).

Anyway, the packet pick up started at 7:30 this morning but we didn't go up until around 8:30. I got my number, shirt, reindeer antlers for all of us and hot chocolate and then we dropped off toys for the Toys For Tots (that was the reason for the race and the registration fee for the 1 mile run). While we waited for the 9 a.m. start to the run, we listened to the Beach Boy's Christmas album that was playing for our entertainment and had more hot chocolate. It was pretty cold (in the high 30s or low 40s, I think), so we had on coats and hats.

Then a very skinny and in shape Santa showed up for the kids to race. He told them he has been training all year. It was cute. Then we got on the starting line, got ready, Santa got a head start, and then we took off. There were only 280 people signed up for the 1 mile run, 5K and 10K races, so there weren't too many people. They had about 20 kids that ran but it was lots of fun.

Ethan beat his last run time and came in 3rd or 4th. Bryan was right behind him. Courtney and I came in around 11 minutes, which wasn't bad because we had to stop twice (once to take off her jacket and once to take off her hat and adjust the antlers). As we were about 2 blocks from the finish line Courtney began to slow down and told me that she "just can't go on anymore." Santa was right behind us and came up to tell her that he was glad she stopped because he needed a break too. She walked by him for about 1/2 a block then I asked her if she was ready. She nodded and took off at a sprint for the finish line while Santa yelled, "Hey, you tricked me, get back here" behind us. She thought she was so tricky!

Bryan took off for a meeting with the youth while we stuck around for a few more minute and the kids got donuts. Then a reporter from the newspaper came up to interview Ethan and Courtney about the race. They were thrilled and can't wait to get the newspaper tomorrow to see if they are quoted.

It was a fun morning and a good start to the Christmas holiday. It can now be Christmas.

Before the race (Ethan's antlers were in my face):

Ethan taking off:

Ethan making his way leisurely across the finish line (when he sees the finish line he kind of just takes his time):

Courtney's sprint to the finish (you can see Santa behind us):

Look at her run!