Life/work has been crazy busy so I'm just now getting around to posting this recap! I want to make sure to let you all know about it, because it's a really cute, small, local event that I'd definitely encourage you to sign up for. Gotta show the little races some love <3
Ridgefield Runners' Ugly Christmas Sweater Run

Date and time: Saturday, December 6, 2014 @ 9:00am
Events and price:
5k run/walk $20-30
10k run/walk $25-35
Location: Downtown Ridgefield, WA
Number of runners: 150
Beneficiary: Local food bank--optional donation of canned food requested ($5 discount)
Swag: Nice beanies with "Run Ugly" embroidered on them, lip balm, and a Clif bar
Course: An out and back on rural roads in Ridgefield, WA.
Results: 5k and 10k results.
Events and price:
5k run/walk $20-30
10k run/walk $25-35
Location: Downtown Ridgefield, WA
Number of runners: 150
Beneficiary: Local food bank--optional donation of canned food requested ($5 discount)
Swag: Nice beanies with "Run Ugly" embroidered on them, lip balm, and a Clif bar
Course: An out and back on rural roads in Ridgefield, WA.
Results: 5k and 10k results.
On a whim, I decided to register for the Ridgefield Runners' Ugly Christmas Sweater Run. A few of my running friends had signed up for RR's races in the past, and said they and really enjoyed them.
The morning of the race, we headed out to get our timing chips and swag. We arrived plenty early so we could grab coffee at a small local coffee shop (whose prices were HALF of what Starbucks charges... so awesome). We also ducked into a little mom & pop hardware store on the corner, since it had cute decorations in the window. It was a legit small-town hardware store, with lots of cute kitchy things, and an older guy and gal with their little dog running the place. It was adorable and totally set the tone for the rest of the morning (I also found an awesome pair of sequined reindeer antlers with bells on it--SCORE).
It was a little cold and damp that morning, but everyone seemed to be fairly cheerful and friendly. The run itself was a fairly straightforward out and back along rural road with a decent amount of elevation change.
After the race, there were TONS of cookies, coffee and hot cocoa for runners to enjoy. We hung around and took pictures while we waited for the raffle prizes (lots of race entries), best ugly sweater prizes, and age division awards. Awards were given three deep in 10 year age divisions, but almost everyone I knew ended up getting one (including me)! Each division winner was given a cute little plastic mitten ornament, color coded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The holiday market was setting up just as the race was finishing, so it as fun to look at the different vendor booths before heading to a nearby restaurant for brunch.
To sum up the Ridgefield Runners' Ugly Christmas Sweater Run, it's a small event that's done well.
The morning of the race, we headed out to get our timing chips and swag. We arrived plenty early so we could grab coffee at a small local coffee shop (whose prices were HALF of what Starbucks charges... so awesome). We also ducked into a little mom & pop hardware store on the corner, since it had cute decorations in the window. It was a legit small-town hardware store, with lots of cute kitchy things, and an older guy and gal with their little dog running the place. It was adorable and totally set the tone for the rest of the morning (I also found an awesome pair of sequined reindeer antlers with bells on it--SCORE).
It was a little cold and damp that morning, but everyone seemed to be fairly cheerful and friendly. The run itself was a fairly straightforward out and back along rural road with a decent amount of elevation change.
After the race, there were TONS of cookies, coffee and hot cocoa for runners to enjoy. We hung around and took pictures while we waited for the raffle prizes (lots of race entries), best ugly sweater prizes, and age division awards. Awards were given three deep in 10 year age divisions, but almost everyone I knew ended up getting one (including me)! Each division winner was given a cute little plastic mitten ornament, color coded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The holiday market was setting up just as the race was finishing, so it as fun to look at the different vendor booths before heading to a nearby restaurant for brunch.
To sum up the Ridgefield Runners' Ugly Christmas Sweater Run, it's a small event that's done well.