news-record.com

Organizers of the Mistletoe Run in Winston-Salem have a riddle on their hands. The field for their fun run, 5K and half-marathon has doubled in the past two years, and they’re not exactly sure why.

“We’ve had some running focus groups this year to try to get a handle on it,” says Beth Hair, the race director for the event starting at the White Family YMCA on Dec. 5. “What about our race is different? The majority say it’s a good, fun race, it involves families, and there are three different runs. The biggest thing is it’s such a fun family atmosphere that keeps drawing more and more people in.”

Hair is expecting up to 1,400 runners for the 5K and about 1,000 for the half-marathon in the Mistletoe’s 26th year. And this will thrill any chief financial officer: The field will turn out despite limited marketing efforts.

“Our marketing mostly consists of word-of-mouth rather than paid advertising for the race,” Hair says. “We mail brochures to past runners but we have a very loyal, growing group of runners for the 5K and the half-marathon and families in the fun run. It’s a great event, which is why it’s so popular.”

The 5K and half-marathon races will start and end in the same locations. The 5K course will loop through the West Highlands and Buena Vista neighborhoods. The half-marathon’s rolling course will take runners on a beautiful route through the Graylyn estate and Reynolda Manor and onto the Wake Forest University campus before a return to the White YMCA.

Even with the recent price bump, registration (which includes a long-sleeved T-shirt) remains a good bargain at $35. On race day, it’ll jump to $40.

The camaraderie, the course and the price are nice treats, but the best comes at race’s end. The YMCA’s gym will fill with runners chowing down on Krispy Kreme doughnuts, pizza and hot dogs – and a new item this year, chicken-and-rice soup from the Diamondback Grill. Owners Kimberly and Murphy Gregg will serve up 30 gallons of it, to be exact.

Proceeds from the race go for scholarships to YMCA programs, Hair says, such as afterschool care, summer camps and senior swim lessons. Hair says the race has put $35,000 into the Y’s budget each year.

The race still needs more volunteers. To learn more about the Mistletoe Run or to volunteer, email Hair at b.hair@ymcanwnc.org, call 721-2100 or go to central.ymcanwnc.org.

Register online for the Mistletoe Run.

2008 Mistletoe Run half-marathon results.

2008 Mistletoe Run 5K results.