Thunder Road Half Marathon - HO! HO! HO!

I decided to start in the back of the pack for the Thunder Road Marathon and Half Marathon race in Charlotte last weekend. While waiting for the 7:45am start, I noticed a lot of people looking at me and smiling. One guy even pulled out his camera phone, stood next to me and took a picture of us together. He then proceeded to post it on Facebook. This doesn't normally happen to me, but whatever. I'm an amiable guy.

The race started and the pack began to move forward. I walked towards the line with the others. The announcer shouted words of encouragement over the loud speaker. Then he said, "Look! It's Santa Clause! Good luck Santa Clause!"

Being focused on the 13.1 miles ahead of me, I did not look around to find Santa Clause. Instead, I waved to the announcer and the crowds who were now cheering me because I was wearing a full Santa Clause suit, including a hat and beard.

'Twas the day before the race and all through the house, not a creature was knowing except for my spouse. I talked to her about this idea a few times during the day. That evening I went to the race expo, met some friends and ate dinner. On my way home I got a text message from my wife saying she bought me a Santa suit. I panicked. She had called my bluff and I couldn't back down. And, per my idea, she purchased candy canes for me to hand out along the course. When I got home my children were very excited that I would be the "Running Santa."

I tried on the suit and my wife made a couple of adjustments so the belt and hat would stay on during the run. I put the candy canes into a small black bag that I would carry. I placed my gear by the chimney with care, in hopes that I wouldn't be the only St. Nicholas there. I nestled all snug in my bed, while visions of others mocking me danced in my head.

As I crossed the starting line, there arose such a clatter, I sprang into a run and was quite flattered. I waved to the spectators and shouted "Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!" I will probably never be a Santa Clause in a parade. But this felt like I was doing just that. Parents said to their kids, "There's Santa!"

To the top of the hill, past a cement wall, we dashed away, dashed away, dashed away all! Starting at the back allowed me to pass a lot of other runners. There was no mocking. They liked seeing Santa. I heard, "There's Santa" and "Hi Santa!" as I went by. I replied, "Merry Christmas! GO! GO! GO!"

I was dressed all in flannel, from my head to my toe, and my clothes became tarnished with sweat wouldn't you know! Along the course were mothers, fathers, grandparents and children watching for their loved ones in the race. When, what to their wondering eyes should appear, but a running Santa spreading Christmas cheer. They were a bit surprised when I stopped to give them candy canes and say "Merry Christmas."

"That's great! Thank you Santa," they replied.

The first four miles went by very quick, but I stopped for a moment to see my friend Nick. Nick was volunteering at a water station. I gave him a pile of candy canes to share with the other volunteers there. He laughed and said, "That is hilarious! You're awesome!"

More rapid than eagles the spectators came; they whistled and shouted and called me by name. I asked if anyone had seen my reindeer. Some runners told me they had been good and asked if they could have a PR (personal record) for their finish time.

I had a broad smile and hoped I wasn't smelly. "It's a skinny Santa," someone said at the lack of my belly.

There were a few spectating children bundled against the cold in strollers with a tray in front. I liked them because I could just slow down, drop a candy cane onto their tray, say "Merry Christmas" and keep going.

In the latter part of the race one runner said, "You are insane!"

"Merry Christmas," I replied.

Another runner said, "Hey Santa, I heard you were coming to town!"

As I crossed the finish line and walked out of sight, I said, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

As you can probably tell, it was a blast. I did see two other runners in some Santa gear. But I'm pretty sure I was the only one with a full outfit including hat and beard and passing out candy canes. The next day I looked at the Charlotte Observer coverage of the race. Although there were no pictures of any Santas, the last part of one article had the following.

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At the finish line, Rebecca Shigley, 33, of Richmond, Va., snacked with her husband and two daughters after completing her seventh marathon.

She said she'll remember this year's race for the lively crowd in NoDa, the good police support and the guy in front of her who ran the entire marathon in a Santa suit, handing out candy to every kid along the route.
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The stats.
Distance according to GPS : 13.24 mi
Time (including stops): 01:48:32
Average pace: 8:11 min/mi
Number of candy canes distributed: 180
Cost of Santa Suit: $30
Amount of Christmas cheer spread: Infinite