15th annual Reindeer Run sees record turnout during cold front
Hundreds converged at Wetland’s Edge Trail on Saturday morning for the city’s annual Reindeer Run, a five- and 10-kilometer run held each year since 2010. Children climbed on the structures at the head of the trail and families mingled, warming up with coffee and tea and petting a trio of miniature horses who zig-zagged around the festivities.
Holding a megaphone, Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, led countdowns for groups at the starting line. Participants were divided up into three groups: 10K runners, 5K runners and 5K walkers.
“It’s emblematic of how wonderful the community is,” Thompson told the Current. “You’ve got it all: There’s hiking on both sides of the road; this wetland is gorgeous; we’re gonna have the ecology center pretty soon. Every time you come to American Canyon, it’s greater and greater.”
Family, friends and the American Canyon High School cheerleading squad flanked the start of the trail, shouting and cheering as runners took off.
Aaron Jaramillo took first place in the 10K run, completing the course in just under 39 minutes, at a 6:16 minute mile. He was racing alongside his wife, son and sister-in-law. The family comes out every year for the race from Fairfield. They said they love coming to American Canyon.
“It’s a great community out here. It’s fun,” Jaramillo said. “I love how nice everyone is. It’s a good time out here.”
Mayor Pierre Washington and his wife, Cherylyn, strolled around the crowd of supporters, taking photos and chatting with runners.
“I wanted to be here to celebrate with everybody and support, to show my encouragement for them to do the running,” said Washington, who wasn’t running this year. It’s the mayor’s birthday weekend: Washington’s birthday was on Dec. 4, and the couple was still celebrating.
“Every year we’re somewhere hot,” said Cherylyn. But they were glad to get to stick around. “It worked out this year, and we got to see the Reindeer Run.”
Anthony Cortes of Petaluma took first place for 5K runners. The cold, overcast day was good for him. “It’s better to breathe in,” he said, hands on his hips to catch his breath. He had clocked in at just over 16 minutes.
Cortes, 31, is the assistant cross country coach for Rancho Cotate High School in Rohnert Park. The Reindeer Run was a warm-up for him: The next day, he’d be running the California International Marathon in Sacramento. So, does he eat a burger to prepare?
“No,” Cortes said. “It’s a strict diet of fruits and vegetables — oatmeal, banana.”
In second place for the 5K run was Simon Reyes, a freshman at American Canyon High School. He’s been running for a little over a year. “I’m a long-distance runner,” he said, surprisingly composed after running five kilometres in under 18 minutes.
“I haven’t really been training,” Reyes said. “So, I’d say that’s pretty good.” Since it’s off season for cross country, he’s been training two days a week.
“Look at those calves!” a supportive friend yelled out to a runner as more runners passed through the finish line.
This year, the Reindeer Run sold out, with 825 participants registered, a record turnout said Janelle Sellick, executive director of the American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation, which organizes the run each year. While American Canyon residents make up a bulk of participants, this year, the Reindeer Run drew people from all over the Bay Area, with many coming into town from San Francisco, Petaluma and Fairfield.
The race doubles as a fundraiser for youth programs run by the Community and Parks Foundation, specifically the youth leadership program and scholarship opportunities for college-bound high schoolers who rack up significant volunteer hours.
“We raise usually around $10-$15,000 — depending on total race entries and expenses.” Next year, she said, they’ll likely expand the race to let in more runners and walkers.
Runners all agreed: the course was beautiful. But for many, the hardest part was the beginning. “It’s just one big straight line,” said Mabin Brito, a cross country runner for American Canyon Middle School. “You can’t see the end of it.”
For a number of runners, that doesn’t matter: they’re in it purely for fun. “I’m not really a runner — I like to do it because my friends like to do it,” said American Canyon resident Chelsea Lindayen, 24. She works as a scientist in Vallejo and started running last year. “It’s a way for us to hang out and be healthy,” she laughed.
