Small Race Preview: 2016 Wilsonville Reindeer Romp

If you're looking for a fun and inexpensive holiday themed run for you to run with your family, Wilsonville's Reindeer Romp is just the thing for you. Now in its fourth year, the race is organized by the city's Parks and Rec department. You can now register online, and a free shirt is guaranteed to registrations by November 25. *** Updated 11/19/2016: Email from the race organizer states that "year we have a new route and 5k start and finish will both take place at Bullwinkle's Family Fun Center." *** The run starts at Town Center Park in front of the Parks and Rec building, and it ends at The Family Fun Center located about three blocks away from the start. Since packet pickup is at the start, and there is no gear check, you'll either have to carry your goodies with you (which include reindeer antlers and a red foam nose!), or allow enough time to drop your things back off at the car. It is recommended to park at the finish, and shuttles will take participants to the start, but the distance is really walkable, and there is some parking available at the start as well. 

The day starts of with a kids run on the walking path in Town Center Park, starting and finishing right at the Parks and Rec building. The kids run is free, but pre-registration is highly recommended so that you child will receive a shirt and a goody bag. After all kids have finished their run, the 5k(-ish) run/walk takes to the streets. In past years, there was good course marking and volunteer staffing, but the course was open to traffic, and runners and walkers are asked to follow the rules of the road and stop at red lights.

At the finish, runners and walkers are greeted by Bullwinkle the Moose! In past years he even handed us a $5 arcade card to use inside the Fun Center. The post-race party with pizza, soda, music, crafts, and several other goodies, also takes place inside the Fun Center, which is a great way to warm up on a cool December morning.

Reindeer Romp details:
When: Saturday, December 3; 9am
Where: Town Center Park, Wilsonville (map)
What: 5k(ish) run/walk, kids run (8:45am)
Registration: online here
Registration cost: $10 pre-registration, $15 day of event. Free kids run
Registration includes: untimed fun run, event shirt, reindeer antlers, post-race party at Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center.