16th Annual Reindeer Run/Walk

Save the Date: the 16th Annual Reindeer Run will be here December 5th!

Come one, come all! There is something for everyone at the Reindeer Run. We welcome runners and walkers of every level to American Canyon on December 5th, beginning with pre-race festivities at 8am, and a staggered race start (10K at 9am, 5K at 9:05am for runners and 9:10am for walkers).  

This is a fun event for the whole family: kids 6-17 are $30 and youth 5 and under are just $5 and include a finisher's medal and souvenir antlers! Early bird registration begins June 1st, so be ready to register to join in the fun!

*This event is contingent upon the requirements of Napa County Health Guidelines. If deemed necessary by the county, all in-person registrations will be switched to a virtual race. 

*Registration fees are non-refundable. Unused race fees are considered a donation to ACParks.

Need a race before the Reindeer Run? Be sure to check out these fantastic races on Thanksgiving Morning, November 26th:

Solano Turkey Trot, by Fleet Feet Vacaville

Napa Valley Turkey Chase, by Athletic Feat

Medals and prizes will be given to the top three male and female finishers for the 5k and 10k races

Medals will be given to the top three male and female finishers in our age groups for the 5k and 10k races

Age Groups:

6-12

13-17

18-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70+

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this year’s Reindeer Run, please contact Race Co-Director Scott Thomason at tjsg@comcast.net. We have multiple sponsorship opportunities and Scott will be happy to discuss the level that fits your needs and budget.

Click on the flyer to see the benefits of each sponsorship level!

Your participation in the Reindeer Run/Walk benefits The American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation! Please check out the Donate Page or click the link below to learn more and how you can help them continue their amazing work!

https://www.acparks.org

• All routes on the Wetlands Trail course will have mile markers.

• There is one water stop and port-a-potty on course, at the 5k/10k split

• Dogs must be on a leash and under owner control at all times.

• Strollers and dog runners/walkers will line up at the back of the race start line to prevent possible tripping hazards.

• If not using the course maps for the Reindeer Run/Walk on RunSignUp, map out your race course where you choose to run ahead of time.

• Please be sure to follow all applicable traffic laws.

• All participants should continue to be mindful of course conditions and others while running or walking. 

• Use caution when using headphones, pushing strollers or running/walking with pets.

The first Reindeer Run was held on the first Saturday in December 2010. The American Canyon High School had just opened and the event began on the school track, with the route weaving through the local neighborhood streets. There were more volunteers–50 very enthusiastic ACHS students–than there were participants, but we knew we were on to something.

The idea of the event came out of a simple conversation earlier that year between Joe Nabrynski and Beth Goff. Joe mentioned that KHOPE International, a nonprofit entity on which he was a Board Member, was looking for a new fundraiser, one in which might include the new ACHS students. Beth had always wanted to hold a fun run in American Canyon and pitched it to Joe. The rest, as they say, is history.

Joe and his wife Nancy worked tirelessly on obtaining sponsors and continually refining sign-ups. Beth went to work on recruiting volunteers at the high school and laying out the route. The original run offered a 5k, 10k, and children’s Rudolph Romp.) When the run was moved to Thompson’s Trail, the original runs were kept. Santa and Mrs. Claus were added and participants all received Christmas bells as medals. The community sponsors generously donated items for the swag bag, and participants walked away with a race tee with original art.

In 2020, American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation partnered with KHOPE International for the first time, and has since taken over the event. As hoped, this event kicks off the holiday season in American Canyon!

• We are delighted to invite everyone to our beautiful Wetlands for race day! You can join us to run or walk with friends and family, just like in previous years. If you want to race with us, choose the "in-person" option when registering for your desired distance and we'll see you on December 7th! 

• Sometimes, circumstances make it so it isn't possible to join in-person, so we have a virtual option available. A virtual race means that you can run or walk anywhere your choose! We have the same 5k and 10k options as the in-person race; the only difference is that you have a week to complete the race (December 7th-14th). You can run or walk anywhere that works best for you:  your neighborhood, your local park, or even your treadmill - it’s up to you! If you want to race but can't join us on Dec 7th, choose the "virtual race" option when registering for your desired distance. 

• Wherever you run or walk, be sure to take selfies and post them to our Reindeer Run social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, with the hashtag #acreindeerrun2024 - we love to see our Reindeers in action!

For our Virtual Runners:

• To enter your miles manually, click on the 2024 Results tab, then click the blue Submit Virtual Results button at the top of the page. Look up your registration by First/Last Name, or Email/DOB, then click the Submit Virtual Results button located under your event (5k or 10k). Enter your completion time for your event, and click the Submit Your time button, and you're done!

• Don’t think you can complete the race in one day? No problem! You have *8 days* to complete the distance you choose - just log your miles each day you run using the RaceJoy app or track you miles and when done, submit through the 2024 Results tab, from December 7th through December 14th.

• Happy racing!

Parking:

- Parking will be available at the Napa Junction School:  500 Eucalyptus Drive.

- Entrance into the school parking lot will only be from Eucalyptus Drive.

- Exit from the school parking lot will only be from Commerce Road.

- Street parking will also be available on the east side of Wetlands Edge, Eucalyptus Drive, and the surrounding neighborhood. Please be considerate of our neighbors when parking on city streets. 

What to bring/wear:

- We encourage Reindeer and/or holiday themed attire!  

- Carry a cell phone or camera to take pictures with Santa, pose against our festive backdrop, and capture the beautiful views along the route!

- The race will take place rain or shine; please bring layers in case of inclement weather.

Times:

- 7:30 am: Runner Check in begins, day of registration opens.

- 8:00 – 9:00 am: Visit Santa, take photos with our Reindeer Run backdrop, our mini "reindeers", and enjoy pre-race coffee and hot chocolate!

- 8:45 am: Warm Up with Dynamic Danielle of Girls on the Run where we run through the North Pole! 

- 8:55: National Anthem plays

- 9:00 am: 10k race begin 

- 9:10 am: 5k race begins

- 10:00 am: Awards announced for the top three male and female finishers in the 5k and 10k races. 

- 11:00 pm Race officially concludes

Race Start:

- 10k race will begin at 9am, then 5k will line up and begin at 9:10am.

- Walkers, dogs, and strollers will line up at the back of the start line to prevent any possible tripping hazards.

Age Group Winners:

Age group winners are the top 3 Male and Female in 5k and 10k. Winners can pick up their special medal at the medalist table.
 
Age Groups:
06-12 
13-17
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70+

Ammenities:   

- Upon completing the race, all participants receive a finisher medal that doubles as an ornament!

- Coffee and hot chocolate and snacks will be available pre and post-race, and snacks will be available post-race.

- One water stop and Port-a-Potty will be available at the 5k/10k split.

- Port-a-Potties will also be available at the Start/Finish area.

Avoid long lines on race day - come to one of our pickups to get your bib and shirt before Dec 7th!

Please bring an ID with you to pick up your bib and shirt.

If you would like a friend to pick up your bib and shirt for you, have them show a copy of your Drivers License.  

We will only offer shirt exchanges (based on availability) after the races have started on race day. NO EXCEPTIONS.
 

Bib and shirt pick up dates and locations:

Wednesday, December 4th, 1-4pm
AC Parks Foundation Office
3419 Broadway St. Suite H3-A, American Canyon

Thursday, December 5th, 4-7pm
AC Parks Foundation Office
3419 Broadway St. Suite H3-A, American Canyon

Friday, December 6th, 5-8pm
Magic Of The Season
In the Holiday Marketplace
Shennandoah Park, 100 Sonoma Creek Way, American Canyon

Race Day bib and shirt pickup, as well as race day registration, will be available December 7th, starting at 7:30am.

* Race shirt availability not guaranteed after start of race.

This year, ALL participants, regardless of age, will receive a finisher’s medal honoring this year's featured reindeer! As a special bonus, the medal doubles as a holiday ornament!

Participants 13 and over will receive a festive Reindeer Run long sleeve performance shirt with this year's featured reindeer. 

Youth 12 and under will received holiday antlers to wear during the race!
 
-To be guaranteed a race shirt and finishers medal, you must register by end of day, November 10th.
-To be guaranteed your shirt size, you much register by end of day November 10th, and pick up at one of our scheduled Bib Pickups.
-Shirt sizes can only be exchanged after the race (based on availability):  No Exceptions. 

Please click the flier for a larger view!