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Hanging up our antlers…

Fifteen years ago, we were a young couple with a starter home in Southern Pines, a toddler taking her first steps, and an idea. We’d seen the fun and festivity of the Charleston Reindeer Run, and we wanted to bring it home to our town. The generous folks at Trident Marketing agreed to help us turn our vision into a reality, our friends and family stepped up to volunteer, and in 2007 we kicked off a small local race with about 400 runners. We raised $2500 for the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills. We were hooked. 

Fast forward to today, where we’re writing to you from our temporary home in Barcelona, Spain. We’ve got two teenagers (that toddler from 2007 is looking at colleges these days!), new businesses, and big plans for adventures and accomplishments in the next chapters of our lives. Life has taken us down paths we never could have foreseen all those years ago, and while the Reindeer Fun Run has been a huge part of our journey so far, our path is going in a different direction and it’s time to … continue

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Reindeer Fun Run! I have been a staff member of the Boys and Girls Club since 2012 and I know the importance of this event to the club. The last few years, I have really let myself go physically. After COVID hit and I started adding those COVID19 pounds, I decided to start walking—aiming for 1 mile of 1 1/2 miles as many times as I could daily each week. When it was decided that the Reindeer Fun Run would be virtual I thought—I can do that, but also thinking that I may have to hit my pause button a couple of times! So this past Friday, needing a day of accomplishment, I walked “my course” and I made it! Then seeing the posts about the “Tricourse,” I decided to aim for my version of that. Having a neuropathy, I

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Nothing makes our day more than hearing from Reindeer Fun Runners about the ways that the race has impacted them. We also get really happy when we see all the dogs who participate in our race year after year. So when the two combine, we’ve just got to share.

Yesterday, we got a letter from Kate Hendricks that really moved us. Kate’s dog Missy Pearl was a longstanding and enthusiastic participant in the Reindeer Fun Run. Kate wanted to share her story, and we’re so glad she did! Spoiler alert, you might need a tissue before it’s over. Much love to Kate and Missy Pearl—we’re so glad she got to be part of RFR’s story for so many years. ❤️

Missy Pearl’s Story (as told by her mom Kate)

I ran the 12K Reindeer Run on Saturday, December 5, 2020 in memory of my dog, Missy Pearl, our wire-haired fox terrier who died in May at nearly 14 years of age.  We ran the Reindeer Run every year of its existence (except once) and the Reindeer Run was the best day of Missy’s year, and the Reindeer Runs were among the happiest days of … continue

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The post A Picture is Worth 1000 Words first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

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You can submit your photos and upload your times right on our home page, and don’t forget to tag us on social media using @ReindeerFunRun, #ReindeerFunRun and #ReindeerFunRun2020! Check the most updated leaderboard any time on our RunSignup race page!

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It’s Reindeer Fun Run Race Kickoff Day!

Today is a huge day for Reindeer Fun Runners here in Aberdeen and around the globe—it’s December 1 and the race is off and running! Who will be the first to post their time? Who will have the best costume? Who will win the Trident Tricourse Challenge?

It’s Giving Tuesday!

Today is also important because it’s Giving Tuesday. We’ve been blown away with the donations we’ve received this year for the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills. This community has been so generous, and your gifts will be incredibly impactful as the team at BGC works to keep at-risk youth happy, healthy, and engaged in learning this winter and thoughout the coming year. If you’d like to donate today in honor of Giving Tuesday, you can do it here!

It’s Time to Talk About Warming Up for the Reindeer Fun Run!

Whether you’re planning to run your race today or sometime over the next two weeks, it’s important to warm up properly before you start. Check out this Race Day Warm Up guide from our training partners at First … continue

The post Ready, Set, GO! first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

This is a great alternative to the Southern Pines and Aberdeen courses already on our site! Thanks First Health Fitness!

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First thing first—you’ve got to sign up! And if you want to make sure you get your race swag—including our 2020 shirt and optional BUFF®, you have to register by NOVEMBER 15. That’s coming up really soon, so get on board and click here to do it now! 

When you go through the signup process, you’ll decide whether you will

pick up your race packet in person or have it shipped for a flat $6 fee. Packet pickup will be held November 30 and December 1 at FirstHealth Fitness Pinehurst from 12-7 each day. We’ll be using social distance protocols and following local health guidance to keep everyone safe, but if you want a 100% contactless option, opt for the $6 shipping. 

2. Step TWO…Decide on the WHERE, the WHEN, and the WHO of your Reindeer Fun Run

Just like all of you, we’d give anything to be able to gather together in person on one crisp December morning to run, celebrate the season, and raise a ton of money for the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills as one joyful … continue

The post Running the Virtual Reindeer Fun Run is as easy as 1-2-3! first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

Way back in August, we posted the news that the 2020 Reindeer Fun Run was going virtual on our social media accounts. Almost immediately, some of our terrific supporters commented on one of the biggest silver linings of a virtual event: you can participate from ANYWHERE! Folks who were once part of the Sandhills community and have now moved on can run down memory lane by joining the reindeer herd from afar. Longtime Reindeer Fun Runners can recruit friends and family from across the country to join them in supporting the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills. And the Petsolt family—who founded this race 14 years ago and wouldn’t dream of missing a race—can run their own course from their current digs in Spain. 

With all this emphasis on geographic diversity, a global theme seemed right. So we worked with designer Mike Sofka to create a one-of-a-kind 2020 Reindeer Virtual Fun Run shirt. Reindeer Fun Runners will get a gray technical t-shirt while Egg Nog Joggers will get a classic white cotton t-shirt with their own 2020 logo.

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The post THE SHIRT DESIGNS ARE IN! first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

Be sure to sign up by November 15 to guarantee you get your 2020 swag!

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REINDEER ON THE ROUTE

If you’re ever run the Reindeer Fun Run, you know that almost everyone on the course has antlers on their head. So it takes something a little special to make it into the gallery as a reindeer! Like these lovely ladies who always rock the reindeer costumes with just a little extra style!

THE GRINCHIEST GRINCHES

We see lots of Grinches out on the course every year. Luckily most of the folks sporting the green guy’s visage aren’t actually grinches themselves!

PUPS ON PATROL

We love it when people bring their dogs to the race, and it’s even better when the pups are in costume!

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Since 1997 The Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills has been serving youth ages 5-18 with critical programming and support. In 23 years, it has become the leading youth advocacy nonprofit organization in Moore County, and has served over 6,000 childrens and teens. 

Keeping things fun and productive

Games, athletics, academic support, and drug prevention workshops form the backbone of the Club’s programming. Three locations around Moore County aim to fill the critical after-school gap—2:30 to 6:30—when research shows that children are most vulnerable to gangs, violence, and other risky behaviors. The highly trained staff implements programs to develop study skills, job readiness, self-esteem, healthy living, and social responsibility. During the summer, the Club’s locations are open all day to young people who need a place to go. 

Pivoting in a pandemic to provide services where they are most needed

43% of Moore County students receive food at school through the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program. When COVID-19 closed schools in March, the Boys and Girls Club knew they could mobilize their resources and infrastructure to keep kids nourished. As of mid-October, they’ve delivered over 247,000 free meals … continue

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2020 is doing its level best to upend every aspect of our lives. From closing schools to shuttering businesses to wrecking holidays, the coronavirus feels like one big pinball of destruction zinging through our traditions, our plans, and our expectations. But as much as life looks different these days, some things remain the same. Like The Pilot’s Best of the Pines Award Series, which just gave the Reindeer Fun Run its “Best Charity Run” award for the sixth consecutive year. These awards are Reader’s Choice awards, which means that you—our community members—voted for us. This means the world to us, especially during such a challenging time.

This year’s virtual race is going to be different, but with your help, we can make it great. If you’re feeling isolated and missing friends, gather a group and plan to run the Virtual Reindeer Fun Run together! Turn it into a safe, festive, outdoor social event and give yourself and your crew something healthy to look forward to. The Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills will thank … continue

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How do I get a 2020 Reindeer Fun Run BUFF®! 

Register by November 15 at the Rudolph Club level or higher, you’ll get the 2020 Reindeer Fun Run BUFF® included in your bag of swag. Or you can opt to purchase one for $20 while supplies last! 

Wait—what’s a buff?

According to the experts from BUFF® USA, it’s:

“Performance head and neckwear designed to morph into a multitude of different garments in seconds, allowing its wearer to change their headwear on the fly while offering protection from the elements during a wide range of outdoor activities and sports.” (Source: BUFF® USA)

Ever watch Survivor? Yeah…that’s a BUFF®.

(Photo source: Pinterest)

What makes the 2020 Reindeer Fun Run BUFF® so awesome?

This BUFF® is no ordinary multi-functional head and neckwear, and you can’t buy one like ours anywhere on the street. Designed by illustrator Mike Sofka, our BUFF® gives you options. If antlers just aren’t enough for you, and you want to take things to … continue

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