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

The post Missy Pearl’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

We were so happy to hear form 1SG William Lunceford who, despite being stationed in Kuwait, wanted to run the 12ks of Christmas this year. So… he did! William reached out to us, and we coordinated with him for an official result. Here is a note from William after his run this morning…

“I ran the 12k @ 0600 this morning (7th Dec). I know that I would not not be anywhere near the quickest person in the race there but I was the quickest and only one running here. I was very happy with my time.”

Distance: 7.55
TIME: 59:29.8
Average Pace: 7:53
Quickest Mile: mile 3 @ 07:34
Slowest Mile: mile 6 @ 8:43

William will also earn a special Dasher Award, which is awarded to the first antlers to cross the finish line. at 0600 Kuwaiti time, he very much earned that honor. William, your shirt and medals are on the way!

… continue

The post 1SG Lunceford’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

… continue

The post Charlotte’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

… continue

The post Carly’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

This past Saturday, the Aberdeen Reindeer fun run was my first official 5K run with my prosthetic hip. I am 54 years old and previously was an avid runner before my hip joint was destroyed by degenerative joint disease (arthritis). My time this year, of course, was way off of my previous PR’s, but I was happier to complete this 5K than any previous. 

My family was there to support me. My husband, Jeff Needham placed first in men’s 50 -59 age group, my daughter Heather Weeks placed 2nd in women’s 30 – 39, and my grandson Corbin Weeks was first in ten and under. My sister also walked the 5K with her Goldendoodles:) 

I didn’t place in my age group but last year I walked the fun run (being six weeks post-op), and this year I ran every step! This is our new family Christmas tradition. Thank you Aberdeen Reindeer Fun Run. 

My daughter, Heather is a teacher at O’Neal and my Grandson is a student there. We were happy to support the race.

Regards,
Tammy

… continue

The post Tammy’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

Owen was born to our dear friends in the spring of 2015. An otherwise healthy baby boy, Owen was born with Bilateral Microtia and Atresia of the ears – which basically means his little ears did not develop properly during pregnancy. Owen is able to hear with the help of a Baha Sound Processor that he wears on a headband. He faces a series of doctors visits and ultimately reconstructive surgery on his ears around age 5. We decided to set a goal and raise money to help the family cover some of the costs of Owen’s hearing device and medical expenses at UNC Children’s Hospital that are not covered by his health insurance. Little did we know how much support we would receive…

On Saturday, December 5th over 100 friends and family members attended the Reindeer Fun … continue

The post Our Journey’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

… continue

The post Julian’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

The Reindeer Fun Run is a very special race for me. Not only is it the most fun race ever, but it commemorates the last normal day I had with my mother before she passed away on December 22, 2007.

It was the first year of the run, held in Southern Pines. I knew mom didn’t have much time left. The doctor gave her six weeks to live. We had made a pack some years earlier to travel by faith. When we first discovered she had a terminal heart condition and was given only six months to live, I told her point blank, “I am going to help you run all the way to the finish line. Whatever it takes. Whatever the cost. I am by your side.” I didn’t realize six months would turn into almost seven years.

As a life-coach, I wanted to give her a strong finish to her race, so at 85, I taught her how to play golf, helped her start a house-cleaning business at 88, when she also had her first paid modeling shoot. At 89, she started public speaking. At 90, it was … continue

The post Veronica’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

Shared from http://enduringwarrior.org/about/the-masked-athlete-team/

The Masked Athlete Team (MAT) are specially trained volunteers who support our wounded veterans with the physical and mental adversity of extreme athletic challenges. The MAT spends countless hours preparing and researching ways to successfully assist our wounded veterans negotiate their extreme athletic challenges. Past events have included obstacle course races, hand-cycling, 5k and 10k races, and half/full Marathons

The gas masks worn by the team are symbolic of the hardships our wounded veterans live with every day. When the team members wear their gas masks their airflow is restricted by approximately 25%, simulating how the WVs they serve are overcoming insurmountable odds in the face of adversity. The MAT are composed of active-duty and prior service men and women. They chose their call sign based on the leadership traits instilled into them while performing their military duties and now will embody this specific trait while performing their duties as … continue

The post Team Sapper’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

I may not have been so eager if I had known what a hilly course it was! In fact it was the hilliest course I have ever run. But in my naivety I jumped right in and then was taken aback by the huge uphill start, but I felt it might be the only hill in the race and then we would of course have a downhill finish. But the hills kept coming and my son had to keep encouraging me to hold back, realizing that the hills might ruin me and force me to begin to walk.

This race will … continue

The post Anne’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

Reindeer Fun Run 12K Recap

Shared with permission from Runner Girl
https://runnergirlinarockingworld.com/2014/12/07/reindeer-fun-run-12k-recap/

… continue

The post Runner Girl’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

We would like to say a HUGE “CONGRATULATIONS” to Tracy Bakk and Jacob Poulliot, engaged at the finish line of Saturday’s Reindeer Fun Run!  We wish you years of happiness together!  Here’s a little note from the soon-to-be-bride….

“Jacob planned the engagement around my families visit from Minnesota.  I saw the 5k a few weeks back and figured it would be a fun event for us all to do. Not to mention it was the first race Jacob has been able to do since he tore his ACL back in April.  Once everyone finished Jacob took advantage of the moment at the finish line.  I was completely clueless, but he had let my parents know before they even made the trip down. It was very special to have them here for such a big moment. :)  We couldn’t be more excited.”

… continue

The post Tracy’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

In September of 2013, I decided, on a whim, to start running, and to enter the Reindeer Fun Run 5k scheduled for December of that year. I say it was on a whim, but the fact is, I knew I needed to do something to improve my fitness. At 51 years old, I was feeling the effects of the years. After a visit with my father-in-law, and seeing how difficult it was for him to even get up from a chair, I decided to take action. I’m still not sure why running was the action I decided to take. And I seriously questioned that decision for the first month of my running. Then, one day, I pushed through the first couple miles, made myself keep going, and a funny thing happened. Suddenly, it felt easier. I realized I was not breathing hard. … continue

The post Scott’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

In May 2007, about a week before the Wood Lake Triathlon, I was told I had a brain tumor.  My life stopped at age 30.  I had been married for 6 years and had a 3 year old girl and a 10 month old boy.  I still did the triathlon though as an attempt to block out my new reality.

On June 13, 2007 I had my tumor removed.  All the side effects put me down physically, mentally, and emotionally.  I didn’t even think about running.  I was more worried about what the doctor was going to tell me next.  I was too down about how my life had changed and living with the idea that I could die any day.

Then I heard about a new 5K race coming to S. Pines! It was titled The Reindeer Run.  Something in me got excited and for some reason I thought … continue

The post Megan’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

The post Mona’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

In the first years of the Reindeer Fun Run our volunteers were mostly family and friends —  taking registrations or stopping traffic along the course. My mom was one of those eager to help, always taking up her post along the original course on the corner of Oldfield and Highland in Southern Pines. Back when the race was smaller, and I was still able to run the 5k, I remember prancing by with my daughter in a stroller dressed as a little reindeer. Both of us waving and smiling, and excited to see Grandma cheering on all the runners and walkers.  She would especially beam at seeing her granddaughter. After the 5k she would venture down to encourage the Egg Nog Joggers at the finish line. We would share stories of the first, fast athletes still wearing their antlers as they sped by, of the many costumes, and especially of the kids running and walking past “her corner” on the Reindeer Fun Run course.

When we moved … continue

The post David’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

June 26, 2008 at about 9:36am, while on a mission trip in South Carolina with the youth from Pinehurst United Methodist Church, I climbed a ladder and was going to transfer onto scaffolding to paint the eaves of the house we were working on, but the transfer did not go according to plan and I fell to the ground.  Actually ended up on my bottom and looked out at my right leg and noticed the foot going in a funny direction… looked again and noticed the bone going through the jeans I was wearing.  Ambulance was called.  Went to the local hospital and told they could not do anything.  Ambulance then took me to Spartanburg Hospital where they did the initial surgery.  Woke up with a wound vac and an external fixator on my right leg.  Spent five days there before being transported to Pinehurst.  Dr. David Casey took over my case once here.  It was at this point for the first time that I was told they were just trying to save my leg. I had a compound pilon fracture of the tibia/fibula… shattered the ankle into thirty or forty pieces… and bone that had … continue

The post Susan’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

Good evening everyone. My name is Diontay Isaac, and I am the 2010 Youth of the Year. I would like to first thank the Boys and Girls Club for nominating me as the Youth of the Year. This means a lot to me and my family. This award would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the members of this Club. These members are the reason why I am a part of this organization. I am truly proud and honored to stand here before you all today and represent the Club.

I would like to take this opportunity, to tell you a little about myself. I am an 18 year old senior from Pinecrest High School. I have been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sandhills for over six years. For the six years I have attended the Club, it has made a tremendous impact on my life.

In sixth grade my mom started a new job, and the only issue was that she had to go to work at the same time we would get out of school. My mother was a single … continue

The post Diontay’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Reindeer Fun Run- 5k Race Report

This Saturday morning can be described only as a full success. The day was drizzly but not raining and chilly but not cold. We lined up for the Reindeer Fun Run 5k, a dog friendly, costume friendly event and were off with the shout of “Go!”

The last time I ran a 5k in Southern Pines I was bested by about 5 seconds by a 16 year old and ran a 17:05. The youngin was back for this race and I knew that to win this one, I would need to stay near him for the first mile. So I settled into 5th place, running comfortable and allowing my body to feel the effort without going into debt before the few small climbs.

Racing…
Entering the first climb I made a small effort to assert myself and moved into 2nd place. The leader was ahead about 8 seconds and I was just holding steady with him. Another increase in effort and I cut that lead in half at the mile mark. He was through in 5:34, for me 5:37… right on schedule.

The course continued … continue

The post Sean’s Reindeer Fun Run Story first appeared on Reindeer Fun Run.