Santa Claus is running through town.
A cadre of red-suited joggers took to the Shore Road Promenade for Bay Ridge’s second annual Santa Shuffle 5k on Dec. 6. The dash’s organizer said the jolly holiday suits are a great way to get people moving.
“We found that, when you to try to get people to come to a competitive race, only certain people will come,” said John Edwards, founder of the Rockaway Running Series. “You see people running on the street and ask come to a 5k and they say ‘naw.’ But when you put a Santa Claus suit on somebody, they lose all inhibitions and participate.”
The weather outside was indeed frightful that Saturday, when temperatures dipped into the low 30s and a wintery mix of rain and snow came in bursts, but that just made the post-race celebration at Pipin’s Pub all the more cozy, one runner said.
“The rain started at the same time as the race, but after the race, being all together and socializing was really, really nice,” said Alicia Sanchez, a Manhattan resident who was the first woman to finish the run.
Sanchez and men’s first-finisher Jimmy Butler walked away with cheesecakes from Edwards’ Long Island bakery. The prize was a hit with friends, Sanchez said.
“I took the cake to my office to share with my coworkers — now they are asking me when I’m going to run the race again,” Sanchez said.
she’ll have another chance on Dec. 14, when the Shuffle tramps through Prospect Park.
“Prospect Park Santa Shuffle 5k” at Bartel Pritchard Square [corner of Prospect Park West and Prospect Park Southwest, (917) 287–7280, www.rockapulcorun.com]. Dec. 14 at 11 am. $35.
