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2007 Reindeer Run 5K and 10K December 8, 2007 - Fernandina Beach, Florida. Photos by Bill Dickson
5K Photos
10K Photos
Two of Fernandina Beach’s fastest runners shared top honors in the 10K (6.2-mile) race. Shelby Kittrell, 16, a cross-country standout at Fernandina Beach High School, was the overall women’s winner in a time of 43:32. David Vigh, 40, led the men in 37:53. A nationally recognized masters runner, 65-year-old Elfrieda Wyner of St. Augustine and Boone, N.C., took the 10K women’s masters division in 45:12. She and her husband, Norm, also share the distinction of being the only married couple to have competed in all 30 of Jacksonville’s River Run races. Instead of running the Reindeer race this year, Norm Wyner led the volunteer race-scoring crew for Amelia Island Runners. “We always enjoy coming to Fernandina Beach for both the Reindeer Run and the Pirates on the Run” in February, Elfrieda Wyner said. “They’re both low-key events, but can be competitive as well. The road going into the park and to the fort is a great venue for a race.”
Winning the 10K men's masters division was one of Fernandina Beach’s ultramarathon runners, Steve Devlin, 47, in 38:16.
Leading the grandmasters’ division were Carolyn Geiken, 50, of St. Simons Island in 46:27, and Bob Boyd, 50, of Orange Park in 43:01. Overall winners among the senior grandmasters were George White, 60, of Orange Park in 43:03, and Susan Brantley, 61, of Jacksonville Beach in 48:45. Click for complete results from the 5K Race and 10K race . For more Reindeer Run Photos, click here.
In addition, scores of walkers joined in for a noncompetitive walk of either 1.5 miles or 3.1 miles, the same distance and Fort Clinch State Park route as the 5K runners. Proceeds from the Reindeer Run will benefit Nassau County's Healthy Families/Healthy Start programs and the Friends of Fort Clinch. Race Director Bill Pennington said, "The event would not have been possible without tremendous community support. I especially thank the excellent work of the Fernandina Beach police, who did such a fine job with traffic control, Fernandina Beach fire-rescue, Pete Scalco and his Fort Clinch State Park staff, the city Recreation Department staff, our sponsors who supported the event financially, and all of the volunteers who gave up a Saturday morning to make a successful race." In concluding, Pennington added, "I feel that healthy, family-oriented events such as this are the foundation of our island community. It's a big part of what makes Amelia Island such a special place." Amelia Island Runners’ next race will be the Pirates on the Run 5K/10K, walk and kids’ runs, on Feb. 2, 2008. The races will start and end at Fernandina Beach City Hall and will feature a course through the downtown area, with the 10K course also running to the beach. Click for an Entry Form or Online Registration for Pirates on the Run.
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A traditional part of the Reindeer Run is a “Run for Fun with Santa,” half-mile and one-mile fun runs for the younger set. Santa Claus himself laced up his running shoes for the event, and each of the young runners was awarded a finisher’s ribbon, while the top three finishers in the one-miler received plaques. Among the girls, they were Taylor Sweet, 13, Taylor Anderson, 11, and Caroline Dobinski, 9; and among the boys, Christian Oliver, 9, Noah French, 9, and Phoenix Freeman, 8.