BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com
St. Nick may need to take off a few pounds before eating millions of cookies on Christmas Eve.
But, you may not be able to find the jolly ol’ man at the St. Joe Santa 5k on Dec. 21. Hundreds of runners are expected to show up in holiday spirits and Santa gear for the second annual run/walk.
Event organizers Max Painter and Brenda Hixson, who compete in races together annually, were pleased with last year’s registration numbers, which totaled just over 300. Painter and Hixson wanted to provide both avid runners and families an opportunity to end the season on a high note.
While the event raises money for local charities, race participants will also leave the race with goodies and a memory that will last a lifetime.
The $25 registration fee includes a Santa hat, Santa beard, long-sleeved red shirt, finishing medal and a photo with Santa.
To register for the 2019 St. Joe Santa 5k, which begins at 9 a.m., visit runsignup.com/Race/IL/SaintJoseph/Santa5kRaces.
Packet Pickup will be on Friday, Dec. 20, from 5:00 pm -8:00 pm and Saturday, Dec. 21, 8:00 am – 8:45 am.
