’Twas the day before Christmas Eve and all through Downtown Vero Beach, a sack of Santas geared up for the second annual Run Run Santa 1-mile fun run from Pocahontas Park, hosted by Brittany Streufert and Mike Acosta of Power of Pizza Charities. Proceeds benefited the Indian River Healthy Start Coalition’s Babies and Beyond Program, which assists women and their families before, during and after pregnancy.

There was no need for Santa to call out to his reindeer: “Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen; on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen” – as more than 600 costumed St. Nicks were the ones making this festive run.

Streufert, who grew up in Vero Beach, was moved by the work her mother, Maureen Cairns-Campeau, a certified lactation and child development counselor at Healthy Start Coalition, has carried out with new mothers and their newborns.

“She’s made such a difference in so many mothers’ lives,” said Streufert.

“We are so honored to be the beneficiaries of the run. It supports our Babies and Beyond program, which touches 95 percent of all the moms in Indian River County and their babies with a face-to-face visit,” said Andrea Berry, HSC CEO. “We are able to support breastfeeding, talk about sleep safety and postpartum depression – all the things that come into play when you have a new baby at home. We’re able to do that because of the generosity of our community and events like this.”

All runners in the race had donned Florida-style Santa suits. From big Santas to little Santas, the jingle joggers ranged in age from 1 to 84 and hailed from 26 states and five countries – one from as far away as Australia.

The Grinch did his best to hamper the holiday spirit, dashing amongst the red-clad racers as a green-faced menace, but the crimson Santas didn’t let him spoil their good cheer as they jingled all the way to the finish line. Afterward, the sea of jolly old sorts gathered for a post-race party with food, drink, giveaways and awards.

Many participated in all three Run Run Santa races as part of the Can’t Stop this Santa Challenge, running in Orlando, Viera and Vero Beach. All the Kris Kringles really kicked up their heels but none could outpace this year’s top male finisher, Michael Ellenberger, who set a new course record of 5:01.81. Top female finisher Aurielle Henry took the lead for the women with a time of 6:25.75.

Photos by: Leigh Green and Stephanie LaBaff
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: Run Run Santa one mile run. Santa’s in action.

: Run Run Santa one mile run. Joey Pepperoni.

: Run Run Santa one mile run. Santa’s in action.

: Run Run Santa one mile run. L-R Shane Streufert (2nd place overall), Michael Ellenberger (1st place overall) and Brandon Rinchack (3rd place overall).