‘Running in’ the holiday: Reindeer Race a favorite for Zelienople fun run guru
Out of all the fun runs Joella Baker organizes each year in Zelienople, the annual Reindeer Run is often the coldest, but also probably her favorite.
The race, which takes place this year on Saturday, Dec. 21, includes a 5K course, a 1-mile course and even a half-mile option, making it a good event for people of all ages.
“This one is really good for the kids, family coming together to celebrate the holiday,” said Baker, the race’s director. “We do the half-mile so that the really little kids can get involved.”
The Reindeer Run, and other 5Ks organized by Baker, are fundraisers for her organization, Get Fit Families, which offers camps, youth programs and triathlon training. Baker said the money raised through the fun runs she organizes throughout the year, including the Reindeer Race, helps provide “scholarships” to Get Fit Families summer camps and training programs. Four youth scholarships of $250 each will be awarded for the Get Fit Families Summer Triathlon and Running Camps to the top boys and girls in the 12 and younger and 13 to 18 age groups.
“They can use their scholarships to go to any of the camps,” Baker said. “It's a really nice opportunity for the kids.”
The race this year also will raise money that will go toward the installation of a bench in Alameda Park, which will be a memorial to the late-Aiden Lutz, the Butler 15-year-old who died on Oct. 22, 2023, after being struck in a vehicle hit-and-run.
“His cousins are both on our triathlon team,” Baker said. “We're probably going to make it annual that this will be in his memory. Part of the money will go to the creation of a bench in Alameda Park.”
The course itself is similar to the other Get Fit Families race routes, namely the Firecracker 5K, which guides participants through Zelienople twice. Baker said this route is nice because spectators get to see racers pass through the home stretch two times.
“The 5K kind of uses part of the firecracker 5K course, but it's a two-loop course,” Baker said. “It goes up High Street, makes a left and then comes back down to Beaver Street, and they do that twice.”
Baker said people tend to wear Christmas-themed outfits, costumes and sweaters at the Reindeer Race, which contributes to her own enjoyment of the race.
Additionally, participants receive merchandise for participating, and the whole event is underscored by Christmas carols.
“Everyone gets a Christmas ornament, they all get a loaf of cinnamon bread, we have really good food afterwards, tons of food and festivities, Christmas music,” Baker said. “It's one of my favorite races to put on each year.”
Registration for the race can be completed online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/ReindeerRace2023. Day-of registration also is available. The 5K begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the 1-mile at 10:30 a.m., and both routes start at 402 E. Beaver St. in Zelienople.
For more information, visit getfitfamilies.com.
