RUNable Race Review: Run Run Rudolph 5k/10k

RACE STATS:

• DATE OF RACE: December 5, 2021
• DISTANCE(s): 5k, 10k & 1-Mile Kids Run
• REVIEWED: 10k
• LOCATION: Brookhaven, MS
• DIFFICULTY: Level 2.5
• CAUSE: Toy Drive: Toys for Tots
• RUNscore: 3.3 Stars

A Running Glance:

Things I loved

• Fun Christmas theme
• Santa
• JANIE’S COOKIES

Things I less than loved

• Covid-19

RUNable Review:

The Run Run Rudolph 5k/10k race looked a little different this year than in years past but there’s just nothing like a finish line, even in 2020!

The packets contained our medals, the start of the race was staggered and no post-race awards ceremony was held. In order to comply with local mandates, participants were separated into four “corrals” before the start to limit crowd sizes. Many participants also practiced social distancing before and after the event, and a few folks went the “extra mile” (so to speak) and wore masks. I appreciate DME taking these extra precautions to ensure the safety of their runners. I would prefer that we do things a little differently than not at all. Running and racing are essential and there are ways to do it safely!

Price

It didn’t matter if you’d been naughty or nice this year, you could still register for only $25! This fee included a t-shirt and a custom-made finisher’s medal too! (Who even needs Santa??)

T-shirt/Swag

As we’ve come to expect at any race hosted by Defining Moment Events, our packets were perfectly organized and pick-up was smooth sailing (much like I imagine a ride on Santa’s sleigh would be.) I’m quite partial to reindeer, so I *love* this year’s adorable design and the color too.

Expo/Finish Line

The finish line had coolers of drinks and tables packed with treats. BEST OF ALL – there were individually wrapped cookies from Janie’s Pastry Shop. DIVINE! I may have “taste-tested” two. Everyone knows Christmas calories don’t count.

Finishers were asked not to gather after the event, so there wasn’t an official post-race party. But the atmosphere was still lively and festive!

Medal/Awards

I really liked this year’s medal. (Again, I do love reindeer!) I also picked up my “Ole Brook Run Series” medal for 2020. DME had them custom-designed in the shape of face masks; how appropriate to represent 2020! I earned this gem by participating in all five of DME’s races this year. Good news! They’re offering the same fun series in 2021. Visit www.definingmomentevents.com for all the details and to register for the entire series at a discount! (Last year you could register for all five for $100 – that’s only $20 a race!)

Volunteers

As always, there were plenty of volunteers at packet pick-up, along the route, and restocking our fun post-race treats at the finish line.

Course Scenery

The course wound through some sweet little Brookhaven neighborhoods. They did have to make a last-minute change to the 10k route; the newly established course was simply running the 5k route twice. I believe this revision was made due to COVID but I didn’t hear the full story. I normally would prefer not to double-loop a course, but in 2020, we take what we get and we don’t throw a fit! 😉

Course Difficulty: LEVEL 2.5

I rated this course a 2.5 on the RUNable Course Difficulty Scale; I only recall one decent incline toward the end of the course. My training plan actually called for 10-miles that day, so after I ran my FASTEST 10K ever, I went back out with Opie to find four more fabulous training miles.

Aid Stations

There were multiple aid stations on course with volunteers happily serving up ice-cold H20 and a smile.

Parking/Access

Plenty of parking spots were available along the streets surrounding the Train Depot and the Chamber of Commerce. They also had a cute little photo op set up outside the Train Depot with an antique truck they had decorated with Christmas trees in its bed. Santa also perched on the porch of the Station and posed for pics with participants, if they pleased. #alliteration

Race Management

In addition to creating and producing wholly owned events, Defining Moment Events also offers additional services. From renting equipment to consulting to the complete turnkey production of your event, let Defining Moment Events help produce your next special shindig! *Special shout out to our friends at Southern Race Timing as well. Another great resource for all of you event planners out there!

Thanks again for another awesome Brookhaven event, DME. Best of luck with your 2021 endeavors!

Finishing Thoughts …

Check out DME’s last race of the season … or I guess, technically it’s their first race of 2021?!

They’re hosting a special New Year’s-themed event called “Run in the New Year 5k & 10k.” This one is VIRTUAL and can be run anywhere, anytime between Dec. 27-Jan 3. The sweet swag on this one includes a medal shaped like a crystal New Year’s Eve ball surrounded by fireworks! *Did your head just explode?* There is also a long-sleeved t-shirt option when you register! Just in time for these cooler temps! 🙂