Ann Robb

Although the tintinnabulation was not quite up to par (owing to a lack of adequate bells), an impressive 76 finishers helped to make the Jingle Bell 5K a rousing success! It was a great day for racing at the Blandy Experimental Farm & State Arboretum, with comfortably cool temperatures and little wind. Ann Robb (at right) was one of the many runners who sported festively colored attire. Dashiell Waugh-Quasebarth and Jamie Lum took home the "Best Holiday Outfit" award for their jingle bell-themed shirts.

Kim Burns

Ruth Riemenschneider crossed the line with another women's victory, finishing in 20:31, but runner-up Kim Burns (20:51; pictured at left) is closing the gap that exists between them. Carolyn Wilson was dragged by her dog to a third place finish in 21:08. Ann Robb had to work hard to beat Krista Farris for fourth, maintaining a five-second gap over Krista to finish in 22:18 (narrowly beating out her husband Tom as well).

Ryan, Neal, & Dustin

Once again, Eric Chandler dominated the men's competition with a time of 17:21. Dustin Sweeney finally seems to be recovering from his recent illness, crossing the line in 17:39 and walloping third place finisher Ryan Bayne by nearly half a minute. Jeff Jardine (18:25) and Neal Riemenschneider (18:52) put in solid performances for fourth and fifth respectively.

A concurrent competition involved three "Santa" hats that were handed out to random runners just before the start of the race. These hats could be stolen by any other runner during the race, and the victim could only use leg power to avoid having his or her hat swiped. Whoever finished the race wearing hats got first dibs on the assortment of post-race prizes. Unfortunately, after less than a mile, two of the hats wound up in the possession of speedsters Ryan Bayne and Karsten Brown, and both Kar and Ryan went virtually uncontested to the finish. The author does not know upon whose head the third hat crossed the line.

At the awards ceremony

Numerous prizes (hand-wrapped by Krista Farris) were handed out randomly after the race, most if not all being Christmas-oriented. Recycled trophies (kindly donated by Bill Senseney) were also awarded for odd finishing positions. These included 22nd overall (won by newlywed John Rice); 41st overall (panda-clad Billy Farrell); ninth from last (Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth); second to last (Harriette Bayse); and the "Mark Vann Memorial Second Place Overall Award" (going to a thoroughly unhonored Dustin Sweeney). Seven-year-old Katie Farrell also took home the Youngest Finisher award.

The one cloudy spot on an otherwise bright event was the lack of easily visible course markings, which caused a number of runners to miss a turn at mile two. Our sincere apologies to those who got lost, including Laura Knight, Harriette Bayse, and D'Arcy Amburn. We will do a better job at the next race!

Finally, in our post-race poll of finishers, Blitzen emerged as the club's clear favorite among Santa Claus' reindeer, beating out the likes of the vivaciously-named Vixen, the romantically-named Cupid, perennial favorite Rudolph, and "the one who ran over Grandma". What accounts for Blitzen's surprising popularity? Who can say? Full poll results appear at right.

Patrick Farris

Special thanks to the good people at Blandy Farm, including SVR members Judy Masi and Jen Peachey, for letting us host our race at their picturesque facility. And more thanks should be directed towards race directors Patrick Farris and Kim Weisgerber, as well as volunteers Krista Farris, Tom Sullivan, Jerry Anderson, and the others whose names I don't have! We'll see everyone at Winter Series Race #3, the Treasure Hunt 5K on January 8th!