Boulder Creek Reindeer Run offers community…
Boulder Creek Reindeer Run offers community reprieve from brutal 2020
Valley town shows resiliency while dealing with COVID-19, CZU Lightning Complex Fire aftermath
Lori Hede and Mary Beth Curley have a little extra spring in their steps as they run along Central Avenue in Boulder Creek, preparing for the 2020 Renegade Reindeer Run. The women, who created a fun 5k costumed-run for themselves and one other friend on Dec. 24, 2017, have watched participation grow each year. In 2019, 78 runners participated. Due to COVID safety concerns, this year's event will have 10 time slots between Dec. 23-27 with a maximum of 30 participants per slot. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)
By Jim Seimas | jseimas@santacruzsentinel.com | Santa Cruz Sentinel
BOULDER CREEK — Mary Beth Curley, married with two teenage children, has been a displaced Boulder Creek resident since her home was destroyed by the CZU August Lighting Complex fire. She currently lives in Los Gatos, though she returns to Boulder Creek most weekends to be with friends, surrounded by the mountains.
She'll visit again Dec. 23-27 to take part in the Boulder Creek Reindeer Run 5k. Curley and friends Lori Hede and Cassie Sprenger founded the race three years ago when they created a makeshift course themselves on Christmas Eve.
COVID-19 and fire destruction be damned, the show must go on. The Christmas spirit is too strong. The race, which includes a $15 entry fee, serves as a fundraiser for Boulder Creek Parks and Rec. Children run for free.
"My house burned down, but I'm hopeful about the community of Boulder Creek," said Curley, who plans to move back to the area. "This is an example of its resiliency."
Any funds raised are important to the BC Parks and Rec department, which began sponsoring the event last year. It had to cancel nearly all of its events this year due to COVID-19.
Hallie Greene, director of BC Parks and Rec, is excited to see entrant total continue to climb since the race's modest beginning.
"It's heartwarming for me because I enjoy that component of my job, bringing people together," Greene said. "Except now I'm telling them not to be together."
In an effort to keep mask-wearing entrants socially distanced, the race will take place over a five-day window. There are multiple starting times each day, as well.
The race starts and ends at The Tree House Cafe on Main Street, with Camp Joy marking the turnaround point. Irwin Way, which is part of the course, features a slight incline.
Participation trumps finishing time in this event. Entrants, walking or running, will receive a Christmas bell, and mask or buff/neck gaiter.
"To me, this run is just a way to celebrate life," Hede said. "With COVID going on and everything shutting down, we still have something to look forward to. This is the fourth year for some of us. It's a tradition now."
Greene, like Curley and Hede, plans to run as well. She's giddy when discussing the race. Since most runners dress up, it's like merging Halloween and Christmas .
"I like to go all out," Greene said. "You feel silly if you don't wear a costume."
Hard to belief, the mother of two youngsters also lost her home to the CZU fire. "It's easy," Greene said of her positive outlook. "I'm motivated by other people and their energy. That helps me."
The race got its humble beginning three years ago, when three friends dressed up friends for a Christmas Eve run.
"It sort of started as a lark," said Hede, a mother of two who lives in Brookdale.
Their friends heard of their idea and 15 others joined them the next year. And last year, after BC Parks and Rec sponsored the event, 78 runners participated. Many area residents went to their front yards to support those strolling through their neighborhood.
"It made sense," Hede said of the race growth, "because it's a community."
Curley said she'll be one of the first ones on the course this year. That much she knows. Her outfit? That's another story.
"I might wear a dress with snowmen and green and white socks," she said. "Everybody will have silly costumes. The sillier the better."
Greene said downtown Boulder Creek is festive. Entrants are encouraged to take selfies at The Tree House Cafe and post them to BC Parks and Rec website. Prizes will be given for best individual and family costumes.
Greene hoped to have some sort of physical activity serve as a fundraiser. The shoe, and Christmas stockings, fit.
"It goes to show people are looking for activities like this," she said.
Boulder Creek Reindeer Run 5k
When: Dec. 23-27
Where: Boulder Creek
Register: bcrpd.org/
Jim Seimas | Sports Editor
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