There were Christmas trees, angels, Santas & leg lamps costume-wearing runners during the 10th annual It's a Wonderful Run 5K on Dec. 8 in Seneca Falls, N.Y.
The run, which benefits local charities, was just part of a fun-filled weekend during the annual "It's a Wonderful Life Festival" from Dec. 6-9. For avid fans of the movie classic, like Kevin, Michael & I, it was a great way to experience the movie in the town many believe was the inspiration for Bedford Falls in the holiday classic.
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Upstate New York in December is cold, and trying to stay warm outside as you and 5,000 other runners wait for a 5K to start was definitely painful. After picking up our bibs the night before, we arrived the day of at about 3 p.m. for the 4:40 p.m. start. I've never seen so many people waiting to run a 5K! We weren't allowed in the Seneca Falls Community Center, so we crammed into a small heated tent to stay warm. Around 4:20 we squeezed through the 10-minute mile group and checked out all the festive costumes. Soon, we handed our coats to Michael, who graciously held onto them during the race, and we shuffled slowly to the start.
Standing on the Bridge Street Bridge, with snow softly falling, I felt like Clarence was going to walk by any second. Unfortunately, that serene feeling was quickly replaced by aggravation for the first mile as we had to dodge & weave around participants who walked the race. If you don't like crowds, then this is definitely not your 5K. Hopefully, race organizers will be able to enforce walkers to start behind the runners; it makes for a safer race for everyone.
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Finally the runners began to spread out, which was a welcome relief because I wanted to run faster and try to get feeling back in my toes. It was amazing to see so many residents standing near bonfires on their front lawns, holding beverages & cheering on the runners. It was such a party atmosphere. As I high-fived another race supporter, I spotted a runner dressed as Santa who was pushing a sled on wheels that was attached by nine people dressed as reindeers. That was the best group costume.
Reaching mile two, we were mindful of some icy spots as well as a few potholes on the mostly flat road course. Passing Mynderse Academy High School, another group of residents was boisterously handing out shots of Fireball! While we passed on the first generous group handing out shots, this time I thought "it's freezing, a shot will warm us up & it's the holiday season!" The cinnamon whiskey did the trick; my first and most likely only time mixing drinking and running.
Soon we turned right on State Street and passed the beautiful Victorian homes lit for Christmas. Heading right onto Fall Street we screamed, "Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan," as we passed the lighted storefronts and shops of downtown Seneca Falls. In the shadow of the Bridge Street Bridge we crossed the crowded finish line with a time of 37:44.
Grading on the route, ease and cost of registration (which was $35), T-shirt appeal (which was huge for a large) and overall fun factor I give this race four-and-a-half sneakers out of five.
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