PORT ANGELES — If runners don’t have red noses when they start the 16th annual Reindeer Run on Saturday, they might by the time they finish.
“We will run — rain or shine or snow or ice. We have been snowed on before,” said Dan Estes, sports and events coordinator for the Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Department.
The Reindeer Run is a 5K or 10K run or walk with nine divisions, by age and men’s and women’s events, beginning at 1 p.m. at City Pier.
Runners should check in at the race start point by 12:45 p.m.
The race begins at the pier and travels along the Waterfront Trail before returning to the pier.
Costumes are encouraged, and there are prizes for the best, Estes said.
Past runners have dressed up as Christmas elves, and one woman wore a full snowman costume, complete with snowman slippers, he said.
Estes said this year’s prizes are gift certificates to local restaurants and a gift card to Costco Wholesale.
Medals are awarded for the first three finishers in each age division at a 2:30 p.m. awards ceremony at City Pier.
The first 50 entrants will get reindeer antlers to wear during the race, and all entrants will get a T-shirt, though late entries cannot be guaranteed a shirt in their size, Estes said.
Entry fees are $23 for adults and $11 for youths 18 and younger.
Proceeds from the race are deposited into the city’s Recreation General Fund to cover the costs of city recreation programs and special events.
As of Wednesday, there were 40 registered for the race, Estes said.
Through the years, there have been between 70 and 150 entrants in the fun run, he said.
Registrations and fees can be dropped off today at the Parks and Recreation office at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
This year’s run is dedicated to Nancy Vivolo, an early Juan de Fuca Festival organizer and a volunteer at many events held by the recreation department. Vivolo died Oct. 4 at the age of 57.
“She has always been a big proponent of what we do. She filled in for any spot with her 1,000-watt smile,” Estes said.
Each race T-shirt will be printed with the initials “NV” to remember her contributions, he said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.