Binghamton Santa Run: My First Theme Race

The 2013 Binghamton Santa Run took place on December 8th (Sunday). With nearly 800 runners in participation, it was quite a sight to behold. This was my first theme race and only second ever 5K. I had heard a lot of good things about this race from some fellow runners, and that people get pretty into the costumes. You’re supposed to dress up like your favorite Christmas character, and boy some people really do go all out. I have to say that getting involved with the running community in Binghamton has been one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s a really great group of people coming together to do something healthy and usually for a good cause. The Santa Run proceeds benefit a local school as well as the Make A Wish Foundation.

Here’s some girls dressed up as snowflakes as well as a pink bunny (who later won “best costume pajamas”.

This is the craziness parade heading over the start line & the actual start line before the gun went off.

Augusto & I warming up after the race at the Awards Ceremony.

I didn’t really have much of a goal for this 5K. I’m actually training for endurance right now because I want to participate in this year’s Bridge Run Half Marathon. I ran 7 miles on Saturday, so I figured the 5K on Sunday would round out my 10 mile goal for the weekend. My legs were a little tired so I didn’t push it too hard. I was pretty proud of my 10:20 pace though, and finished the race in less than 33 minutes.

Mad Moose was having an after-race after party so we decided to check it out. (The coupon for $2 off Irish Coffee was tough to resist.) We each got an Irish Coffee and split a veggie pizza with red sauce. It was pretty good. I was a little sad they weren’t offering their full menu though because their specialty pizzas with ranch and bbq sauce and all that jazz are wayyyy better. Also, Lost Dog Cafe does a killer set of alcoholic coffees which puts Mad Moose to shame. But nonetheless, it was nice of them to help sponsor the race.

Yeah. We demolished the entire thing.

Here I am later in my race T-shirt and Santa hat. The complimentary Santa hats were quite warm and comfy. I wore mine for the rest of the day and almost forgot to take it off before I went into Weis for frozen yogurt. (I didn’t want to have to explain to strangers why I was wearing it.)

I would definitely run this 5K next year. Even though it was absolutely FUH-REEZING outside, it was still a lot of fun. If I had more runner friends I would even consider dressing up as a group of reindeer or something outrageous. I think one of my New Year’s Resolutions will be to befriend some more runners in this area so I have a bigger group to hang with on race days! I know I’ve met a few local runners through this blog already, but we have yet to meet in person.

I don’t have any other races scheduled for 2013, but I’m in a lottery for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in Washington DC with my sister. If we get in, then that race will be on April 6th. If we don’t get in, then I’ll probably do the Color Run at Binghamton University that day.

Is anybody out there doing the January Freeze 10K Series? I’m debating it. Let me know in the comments section.

Related articles

• Santa Run for a cause (wbng.com)
• Hundreds of runners defy the cold in Binghamton’s turkey trot (wbng.com)
• Ho Ho Ho (adirondackjoe.wordpress.com)