Santa's Year In Running

sfird · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 1:58 pm

Everyone knows that Santa's been carrying a few extra pounds for a while now. With Mrs. Claus nagging him about his weight more than ever, and the elves making jokes behind his back, he finally decided to do something about it for 2004. Outfitted with a new pair of cushioned trainers from North Pole Sports, the big man hit the arctic trails in January, determined to get in shape.

At first Santa was so slow, he was barely able to keep up with children, and needed to be towed along by his hands. Fortunately he wasn't easily discouraged. He'd gotten his sleigh out of enough tight spots in the past to know not to give up easily.

http://www.kidsrunning.com/columns/tablet/photo/santa400x298.jpg

By summer, things were going much better. With the pounds melting away, Santa took a running vacation on the Greenland coast. Sprinting down the beach with the Chariots of Fire theme playing on his iPod, he felt more alive than he had in years.

http://www.runworks.com/templates/runworksClean/images/photos/santa_running.jpg

As summer gave way to fall and his training progressed further, Santa built up a solid mileage base and ran a few local 10K's with the elves. He ached for a bigger challenge, though, and finally found it at the 2004 North Pole Marathon. When interviewed, he was shy about revealing his finish time, saying only "Let's just say I gave Rudolph a good run for his money."

http://www.glsp.com/turkeytrot97/santa.jpeg

Now a die-hard runner, Santa even took time out of his busy pre-holiday schedule to put on his own race for disadvantaged North Pole youths. As he explains, "I wanted to give a little something back to the community that's given me so much."

http://www.axeoutleukemia.org/gulfcoast/images/santa.jpg

So if you catch a glipse of Santa Claus coming down your chimney tonight, don't be surprised if he's dressed in shorts and trainers. After he finishes his toy deliveries, he's going for a run.