Given that it’s “12 Days before Christmas,” I made a list {and checked it twice} of the most popular holiday races to share with friends who are looking for something fun and festive to do with their kids – or their friends who simply act like kids – this holiday season. Plus, I couldn’t let a perfectly good #12-12-12 news hook go to waste.
So, here are my Top 12 Picks for races to run, over the next 12 days, in 12 different cities across the U.S.:
1. The "Running of the Santas"
Not unlike Madrid’s famous “Running of the Bulls” in Spain, this race has plenty of wild animals running the streets. I would best describe this event as part-5K race, part-Pub crawl in that it begins at a bar and ends at a bar and well, if you’re into that sort of thing, what could be more jolly than that? Originating in Philadelphia, this race has become so popular it has expanded to two other cities (New Orleans and Atlantic City) and in the words of Tiny Tim, may the Lord bless them… each and every one. They're going to need it in the morning.
http://www.runningofthesantas.com/
2. Re-Invent Yourself in Silicon Valley
For my Northern Cal friends, I’ve chosen a more family-oriented race. I love the downtown partnership that is San Jose/Silicon Valley. After all, where else can you see young upwardly-mobile families mingling with the next Mark Zuckerberg? Grab yourself a hot cocoa and enjoy this family-friendly race which loops around the Downtown Ice rink and provides joy for kids from one to 92.
http://sjdowntown.com/santa-run-silicon-valley/
3. "Reindeer Run" Santa Monica
If you’re in the L.A. area, this is a fun, festive race set to the backdrop of Santa Monica’s famous pier and ferris wheel.
http://www.active.com/running/santa-monica-ca/reindeer-run-2012
4. Laughing All the Way
If running a race weren’t hard enough as it is, try this on for size: Ri Ra’s Irish Pub in Vermont sponsors a Santa Run that requires all runners to wear a full-size Santa suit (which comes with your paid Registration.) Have your own stuffed suit? No worries, chubby, you can bring your own and get a discounted Registration.
http://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=7619
5. Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Jolly Old Londontown is, well, not so jolly when outdone by us Yankees. So they’ve put together an entire month of Santa Runs in our festive American tradition in case you find yourself across the pond for winter. But I’ve got news for the Brits – we red-blooded Americans don’t like to be outdone, either. Let's not forget that our Seal Team Six knows how to up-stage a fancy Royal Wedding. And we won’t hesitate to shoot down any errant reindeer, either (just ask Sarah Palin). So, all of you lads and lasses in your fancy 8-hours-ahead timezone, let's keep it moving and send Santa our way. We’re waiting for him. Spit-spot.
http://www.santadash.co.uk/
6. Run for a Cause
As you know from this blog, one of my favourite things in life is to run a race, and to run it for a good cause. My most recent run for charity was the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K race in San Diego, which benefited Father Joe’s Villages to help feed and house the homeless. Fact: during the holidays, most fun runs donate their proceeds to charity. If you're on the east coast, check out this one in Boston which takes you through historic neighborhoods and is sponsored by the establishment that inspired the TV series “Cheers.”
http://runagainstcancer.org/holiday-5k/
7. "Santa to the Sea"
One of my girlfriends and her husband just ran Oxnard’s “Santa to the Sea” Half Marathon. A half marathon during the holidays? Now that’s impressive!
http://www.santatothesea.com/
8. Jingle Bell Jaunt
I'm not sure if it still exists anymore (read: I couldn't find it anywhere) but the Jingle Bell Jaunt in Long Beach, California has historically been not only a race but an event that marks the official kickoff of the holiday season along Long Beach’s funky “2nd Street.” The memory of my first Christmas in California is a good one, spent hunting and pecking through the sweet little shops with the most unique, thoughtful gifts I ever did see. Whenever I think of Christmas in California, I think of the salty air and this little seaside memory.
http://www.active.com/running/long-beach-ca/jingle-bell-jaunt-2010
9. Santa Runs Tacoma
Beyonce may think that girls run the world, but I think it's Santa. Turns out, he runs Tacoma, too. For those of you in the Seattle area (and I know there are a few of you here), visit this family-oriented race:
http://www.santarunstacoma.com/
10. Your Treadmill
No list would be complete without mentioning that you can create your own personal “5K a Day” in your own home, your own gym, or your own neighborhood. After all, that’s how this very blog got started. After running the Coronado Bridge 5K one Saturday last year, I mused aloud about "the runner's high" and why couldn't I feel that good every day? And so the idea was born. That’s why this item makes the list here as my perfect “10.” Here, the original post that started it all:
http://5kaday2011.blogspot.com/2011/07/bridge-to-anywhere.html
11. Right down Christmas Tree Lane
While my attention is often focused on Coastal races, we can’t forget about those who live and work in the “bread basket of the world," the Central Valley of California. While you’re running those carbs off this holiday season, check out the Jingle Bell 5K race in Fresno, which takes you right down Christmas Tree Lane in the town square.
http://laraces.com/race/11313
12. Ring in the New Year
In closing, there is one race that caught my attention, and that is the Los Angeles New Year’s Half Marathon and 5K, which kicks off at the stroke of midnight. Talk about getting the year off on the right foot. I don’t know about you but I’m inclined to be clinking a champagne glass that night, at that exact hour. However, the opportunity to actually run through downtown L.A. at midnight and not get shot? Sounds just intriguing enough to look into:
http://www.newyearsrace.com/
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