Lace up your shoes for this festive holiday event By Jillian Chandler
The countdown is on! This month, get ready to get outdoors to share in the spirit of the holiday season with Santa Runs Tacoma. Sponsored by Bud Light, get those running—or walking—shoes ready, as this year’s Santa Runs Tacoma half marathon and 5k return Saturday, December 11!
A Tacoma tradition since 2009, the Santa Runs Tacoma races are a festive family affair, with distances for all ages and levels—including the Donner & Blitzen Half Marathon, the Frosty’s 5k, and the Kids Run for those 12 and younger. Participants are encouraged to dress in their most merry holiday attire and accessories to help brighten the spirit of the morning.
“Our goal is to bring runners out for a fun, festive and scenic race through Tacoma!” shares Sherry Clarke, director or operations for the Tacoma City Marathon Association. “This festive family affair offers a distance for everyone and is a great way to gather with the running community to celebrate the most RUNderful time of the year!”
The half marathon and 5k are chip-timed events, with age division ribbons awarded to the top five finishers in each age group. The 5k course is a USATF-certified course, though the half marathon course certification is pending. Each half marathon and 5k finisher will receive a festive holiday finisher’s medal, an embroidered beanie and collective bib number. All Kids Run finishers receive a finisher’s ribbon.
According to Sherry, they’re hoping to see 1,000 participants between the half marathon and 5k events, while the kids’ race usually draws anywhere from 50 to 100 kids.
Start times are as follows: 8:30am for the Donner & Blitzen Half Marathon; 9am for Frosty's 5k Run/Walk; 10:15am for the Kids Run. Registration for the half marathon is $95 through December 8 and increases to $100 December 9 and 10. The 5k is priced $55 through December 8 and will increase to $60 on December 9 and 10. The kids’ fun run is $10. Online registration continues through December 10. For additional information and to register, visit TCMAEvents.com/Santa-Runs-Tacoma.