July 13, 2011
Vol 13 No 28
November 19, 2014
A stampede of Santas
Recipes
Savory Holiday Traditions
11
Around Town
4
Business
7
School
8
Hockey Season Starts
Santa and participants in Santa’s North Pole Dash try to keep warm in downtown St. Charles in 2013.
Fourth annual Santa’s North Pole Dash to draw thousands of runners to downtown St. Charles By Brett Auten A pack of fit and festive Santas will be pounding the pavement soon in downtown St. Charles. The Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce announced its fourth annual Santa’s North Pole Dash & Children’s Snowman Shuffle will be held on Dec. 13, in Historic St. Charles. “I think people love this event because it gives them a chance to get out with their family and friends and really get into the holiday spirit,” Wendy Rackovan, the chamber’s vice president of marketing and communications said. “Between all of the decorations and everyone dressing up, it is a great way to celebrate the holidays with a large group from the community.” Santa’s North Pole Dash is a 5k run and one-mile walk for individuals 12-yearsold and above. All Santa’s North Pole Dash participants will receive a drawstring Santa’s bag filled with a long-sleeved, moisture-wicking shirt that resembles Santa’s jacket, hat, beard, and gloves that can be worn during the race. All finishers will receive a commemorative medal. Children 11-and-under are encouraged to participate in the Snowman Shuffle, a quarter-mile kids’ run in Frontier Park. All kids who register will receive a snowman t-shirt. The children’s run is $15 per child. Last year competitors were greeted with
about eight inches of snow on the morning of the race. Organizers for this year’s event hope that the mercury on the thermometer reaches a more bearable level. “This year, Santa needs a vacation so we’re hoping for warm, tropical temperatures,” Rackovan said. “If the weather would cooperate, we want would nothing but 60 degrees.” Registration for the 5k run is $35 and the deadline is Dec. 8 or once the event reaches 5,000 participants, whichever comes first. Race-day registration is not available. Once all of the competitors have finished the race the awards ceremony will take place in Frontier Park. The overall men’s and women’s finisher will receive a gift befitting a Santa; an engraved milk bottle. Not be left out when it comes to festive trophies, all individual age group winners for both men’s and women’s divisions will receive an engraved cookie plate. Santas/competitors who wear their race shirts into participating Main Street businesses will receive special, one-day discounts and can take part in “Holiday Spirits on Main”, where select pubs and restaurants will offer specials for participants wearing their 2014 run shirts. Santa’s Run has brought participants from Illinois, Troy, Columbia, and Cape Girardeau. One of the main emphasis of the event is to bring in runners to the downtown area where afterwards they will
take in all that downtown St. Charles has to offer. “Our goal from the beginning was that the event would bring in runners and their families from around the region who might be shopping elsewhere on that day,” Rackovan said. “I think the run has definitely served that purpose.” With only 5,000 costumes available, early registration is recommended. For more information on the event and to register, please visit www.SantasNorthPoleDash. com. You can also follow on Facebook at facebook.com/santasnorthpoledash.
Credit Union Raises Funds
Holiday Assistance Program
Interstellar photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures
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