A Christmas Story run brings the Community together

On Saturday December 1st, the city of Cleveland hosted their Sixth Annual Christmas Story 5k and 10k runs. “The mission of A Christmas Story run is to provide a race that promotes health and fitness, stimulate the local economy, and galvanize the community.”

A Christmas Story run is made for everyone in the community attracting serious runners and walkers alike. Many people in the 5K and 10K contribute to the holiday cheer by wearing A Christmas Story themed costume by dressing up as Ralphie, leg lamps, and bunny costumes!

The Christmas story run proceeds go towards the A Christmas Story House Foundation which is a non-profit charity whose main goal is to “restore and maintain the neighborhoods in Cleveland surrounding a Christmas Story House and Museum for future generations to enjoy.” It provides grants and donations to projects that enhance the surrounding neighborhoods, it also gives scholarships to families of a christmas story house to create college opportunities for future generations.

Both the 5k and 10k runners start at the Higbee's building, where “A Christmas Story” was filmed through public square, on superior street. The 5k ends at the Christmas Story House and museum. All participants in the Christmas Story run are awarded a unique finishers medal to the year, a Christmas Story themed long sleeve t-shirt, a unique race bib, and free admission into The Christmas Story House and Museum.

This year, the Christmas Story run allowed for runners to run with their dogs. Through the “Bumpus Hound” program a participant in the Christmas Story Run can choose to walk or run with their canine. Through the Bumpus Hound program, the dog also received race gear including a dog tag that is a replica of the medal, a dog bandana, a festive light up leash and bib, and a dog shirt for an additional fee. The Christmas Story run also allows for virtual registration runners, in which participants are sent all the race gear, and can still participate even if they cannot make it to Cleveland on that day.

Overall a Christmas Story run is a fun way to participate in the community and to get out and be active for a good cause.

Senior Nicole Doemling states, “The Christmas Story run is a fun way to get in the holiday spirit, because I don't like running, volunteering there helped me to be active in the community and have fun.”

Although this run has already finished, registry for the 2019 race has just begun.