Despite the 7 to 8 inches of snow that came down the previous night, the 23rd Annual Reindeer Run scheduled for Saturday, December 4 at Lake Harriet, Minnesota was still a go. The white fluff and a temperature of 12°F (-11°C) was not going to stop Minnesotans from going outside. It sure did look a lot like reindeer country! In past years where temperatures were sub-zero, the average number of runners totalled 4,000. I don’t know have the numbers for this year, but there were many, many people out there! There were some serious and competitive runners but the majority were just out running for a good cause and having some fun with their whacky costumes.
The Reindeer Run is a partnership of Life Time Fitness and U.S. Marine Corp Reserves Toys for Tots Program. This is 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) run and is one of the largest toy collection events to bring some cheer to the less fortunate during the Christmas season. Over the past 62 years, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve has distributed hundreds of millions of toys to children in need throughout the nation. It’s a good cause and we are proud and happy to support it.
Everyone was encouraged to bring a new toy for the event. The U.S Marine Corp Reserves had trucks near the registration counters to collect the toys. It was cold but the atmosphere was fun and festive. There was a costume contest and many people came in their whacky costumes. There were also many kids as kids aged 8 and under could do the 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) run with their parents. Our four legged furry friends are not to be left at home. Some were even decked up for the race. There was much laughter and despite the cold, everyone had a blast.
Aww…look at these girls! Aren’t they cute?
These are the leashed and well-behaved dogs with their owners. They started the race 10 minutes after the main crowd was well on their way.
Carollers for some Christmas cheer.
This is the iconic Lake Harriet Band Shell with a seating capacity of 900. Concerts are frequently held here in the summer.
The charming architecture of the Lake Harriet Refectory.
The Start Line with all the real serious runners at the front. I see Purple Man but where is Spider Man?
Don’t you just love those colorful tights and hair? 🙂
Girls in their pretty coustumes all dressed up for the run.
While the runners were off doing their thing, the spectators took time to visit with the Reindeer Run Mascot…..
…..and Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Biren took the opportunity to whisper to Santa the Christmas present she is dreaming of. 🙂
The first few serious and competitive runners dashing to the Finish Line. The first competitor came in at 17 minutes. Aww, shucks! I was too slow and missed taking pictures of first 3 who came in. My reflexes were slow as my fingers were freezing. Spider Man came in second.
I liked smooth and lithe Purple Man. He was followed by Mr Speedo who wore ONLY his speedo. This is NOT to be attempted by the rest. Apparently Mr. Speedo did the same thing last year. I will not pose his picture here as this is a family friendly blog.
These are two very fast and early Christmas packages.
The U.S. Marine Corp, serving even when not deployed.
YAY! Here comes Ro-Jiro (second son) in blue balaklava….
…..followed by Ro-Taro (eldest son) in red balaklava and their school Running Club teacher Mrs G with black head band. Hooray for the Ro-Ri boys, their team mates, Mrs. G, Mr. and Mrs. H!!! A big THANK YOU to Mrs. G, Mr. H, and Mr. S for their dedication in running with the kids through rain and snow to train for this event.
And now, for a look at some of the gorgeous real estate around Lake Harriet. Many are older style homes with beautiful architecture like this one that looks like a gingerbread house.
Others are newly updated.
Back in our neighborhood…snow capped wind bell.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 8)
Angie's Recipes says
Gosh! That’s really COLD! But I can tell that everybody were having fun!
5 Star Foodie says
Oh, this looks like a blast! Even more fun in the snow!
Roxan says
How fun!! I love the photo of the dog with reindeer antlers on. I must get some of those for my pup. 12 degrees – that’s really cold! I imagine that would be really hard to run in… the cold air would hurt my throat. But it looks like there are some well seasoned runners there.
sweetlife says
how fun!! a perfect event!!
sweetlife
Faith says
What a fun event, and for such a great cause! I love all the costumes and the wintry pictures are beautiful!
lequan says
Huge kudos to your boys and everyone who participated for braving all that snow and running for such a great cause. Loved all the costumes, especially the two early arriving gifts. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas there.
Biren says
Thanks LeQuan! The boys were happy to do it. I would have joined them if I could but my knees were reluctant. Too active and too much running in my younger days. Yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas over here. 🙂
torviewtoronto says
beautiful pictures Biren
tigerfish says
Looks like so much fun in the fields 😀
Juliana says
Biren…I absolutely enjoyed the pictures…so much fun…you sure put a smile in my face with the pictures…thank you!
Biren says
Glad the pictures brought a smile to your face. It was a fun event and I couldn’t help but enjoy it 🙂
Zoe says
Look like lots of fun…I can see that you enjoyed the event very much 😀
Biren says
Yes Zoe, I did enjoy the event. I was knee deep in snow running around trying to take pictures. There were so many people I almost missed my boys on the home run.
Amanda @ bakingwithoutabox says
What a fun race!! But it looks so cold. I’ve never seen snow like that. Love the costumes and furry friends.
somewhere in singapore says
Looks fun…
Julie M. says
I just love seeing all that snow! I miss it! I don’t miss that cold though (although we’re supposed to get down to 17 tonight, brrr!)
Tha event looks like so much fun! I love all those costumes and what a great picture of you. It’s great to “see” you!
Biren says
Snow can be fun. If only it isn’t so cold. It’ll be -5 deg F tonight, brrrrrr!
Aww…you are so sweet Julie! 🙂
Pachecopatty says
Hi Biren, I appreciate that you’ve shared so much about an interesting event in your family’s life. I enjoy seeing how people live all over the country and being from the San Francisco bay area we don’t see scenes like this in the Winter. Although we do have a similar crazy scene at our annual ‘Bay to Breakers’ event, with all the costumes etc. I think it’s great that your boys participated in the event, they will have some great memories, that’s for sure:)
Biren says
I am glad you enjoyed the post, Patty. 🙂 This is a huge country and there is so much to see and experience. Going to a different region is like going to another country.
The boys enjoyed the event. It was quite an experience for them. Running in the summer is not quite like running in the winter.
Nutmeg Nanny says
Wow I could never do that! I think my lungs would stop working from all that cold air…haha.
Sanjeeta kk says
A very informative and entertaining read. Love the dress code out there.
Anncoo says
Oh Biren, I love all the lovely pictures here. Your two boys look so alike and I thought you are in the race too…hahaa…
Thanks sharing 🙂
Liv Wan says
Thank you for sharing this great post. I wish we have the same thing here. This events looks so much fun.
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
What a fun and great event for a good cause. The photos are gorgeous and so picturesque. Would have been loads of fun to participate.
Joanne says
How fun! Yeah us runners are serious. We run in rain, sleet, snow…whatever. Glad to see you had a good time!
Jeannie says
That looks like a very fun event to go to! bet my boys would enjoy this immensely, since they have not experience snow before. Great photos Biren:D