In spite of the rain and chilly temperatures, fifty Middlesbrough residents gathered at Albert’s Park on December 11, to participate in the Zoe’s Place baby hospice’s first ever Reindeer Run. Zoe’s Place offers respite, palliative and end-of-life care to children who have life-limiting and terminal illnesses. They serve children from birth to age five. The run was a community event, created as a fundraiser for the hospice, which needs to raise £1m each year just to open its doors. Attendees paid £5 per person or £12 per family to participate. They circled the park twice, to complete a 4km fun run. Walking, jogging and unicycling were also allowed.
There was a carnival-like feel to the event, which included big bunches of balloons and brightly-coloured costumes. Most of the runners dressed up as Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, but one unicycler dressed up as Santa Claus. Although many of the participants were visibly shivering before the race began, smiles abounded throughout the event. The diverse group included military veterans, pensioners, toddlers, fitness fanatics and even a man in a bear suit.
Zoe’s Place and its sponsors provided the participants flashing reindeer noses and antlers, as well as refreshments that included mince pie and hot drinks.
The run was sponsored by Forces Fit Middlesbrough, a company specializing in outdoor military fitness classes, clothing and footwear. Forces Fit instructor and army veteran Dean Hardy supervised a warm-up session for the participants as well. The Stockton Unicycling and Juggling Club and Parkrun organisers also participated in the event.
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