We’re writing to inform everyone that the decision has been made that the Reindeer Romp will be a completely virtual event. We appreciate the fact that the City of New Albany did consider our proposals to be able to hold the event live, but as with so many events around the country this year, this decision was a difficult one but was made with the health and safety of everyone as a priority.
Packets will be mailed to everyone on Tuesday with your shirt, bib, jingle bells and if you entered the Polar Bear Grand Prix, your PBGP buff. If you paid for packet mailing, we will refund your packet mailing fee.
In the meantime, hang on to that bib because Fleet Feet has offered to give everyone who brings their bib in the store $15 off every purchase over $75.00!
Keep in mind that going virtual doesn’t mean we can’t have some competition. Typically, our policy has been that we don’t do awards for virtual events but we feel we’ve come up with a great way to still have a competitive event.
We will be freshening up the course marks for the Reindeer Romp at Cherokee Park so that you have the option to race the original course between Friday, December 11th and Sunday, December 13th. Upload your time by midnight, December 13th and, if you want to be eligible for overall, team and age group awards, send a screenshot of your GPS “race” on the course in Cherokee Park to runrivercity@gmail.com and we will have an award ceremony and keep a score for the Polar Bear Grand Prix.
Below is the course map for the Reindeer Romp on the Scenic Loop in Cherokee Park.
Reindeer Romp 4k (2.49 miles)—Start at the fountain at Hogan’s Fountain Park. Run the Scenic Loop counterclockwise. Mile one is on the Scenic Loop in between Cochran Hill Rd and where the Baringer Hill path exits onto the Scenic Loop. Make sure you run behind the shelter at the top of Baringer Hill. Exit the park at Eastern Parkway and circle the Daniel Boone statue. Re-enter the park, the two mile mark is where the Baringer Hill path exits onto the Scenic Loop. Continue back to Hogan’s Fountain past the fountain to the finish across from the entrance to the parking lot. Course is marked in white marking paint.
We’ll go on with the costume contest as well. Just email your photo entry to runrivercity@gmail.com and we’ll post them on our Facebook page and pick winners from the following categories:
Most “Christmasy”
Ugliest Sweater
Best Hat
Best Couple Costume
Best Group Costume
Best Stroller Costume
Best Pet Costume
Fastest Costumed Male & Female
To upload your time, simply log into your EnMotive account (click on link), find the 2020 Reindeer Romp 4k listed in your events, then click "Log Result" to get your time added!
On Monday morning, December 14th, after everyone has recorded their time, you will be able to go to The Hub results (link can be found on the Results page at www.rivercityraces.com), find your result, click on your name and download your custom finisher certificate with your time and place.
Also, since we had to cap the Reindeer Romp, we have extra Polar Bear Grand Prix buffs. If you didn’t enter the Polar Bear Grand Prix but would like one of the custom buffs, you can order it when you are on your registration page uploading your time, and we will send you one for just $10 plus FREE SHIPPING or you can add one to your registration if you register for the Frostbite 5k.
To register for the Polar Bear Grand Prix, click here.
To register for just the Reindeer Romp, click here.
To as closely guarantee as possible an in-person race, we will be moving the race over to the Ohio River Greenway at the New Albany Amphitheater. For those still not comfortable with an in-person run we will have a virtual registration option and the option to have your packet mailed. Please see below for Covid procedures for the event.
Click here for a course and venue map.
First leg of the Polar Bear Grand Prix.
Four kilometer (2.4 miles) run and walk on the Ohio River Greenway at the New Albany Amphitheater. Great way to kick off the 2021 running/walking season just a little early.
NEW THIS YEAR! The Polar Bear Grand Prix Team Challenge for all three races!
The Polar Bear Grand Prix Team Challenge is open to any 3 to 5 person teams in three divisions: Male, Female, or Coed. Fastest three on each team are scored, the Coed team must score one woman. Your team can choose to participate in any individual or all three Polar Bear Grand Prix races. There will be a Team Challenge Polar Bear Grand Prix Award for any team that wins all three races in their division. You will not only compete for team awards; each team member is also eligible for an individual time and awards! There is no additional fee to participate in the Polar Bear Grand Prix Team Challenge.
We’ve just added more fun to the Reindeer Romp, both in-person and virtual. A COSTUME CONTEST!
Let’s see your best Christmas fun. We’ll have free finisher photography at the in-person event and if you do the virtual run, send us your costumed photo and we’ll judge from there and send you a custom frame for your photo.
Contest categories:
· Most Christmasy
· Ugliest Sweater
· Best Hat
· Best Couple Costume
· Best Group Costume
· Best Stroller Costume
· Best Pet Costume
· Fastest Costumed Male & Female
Check out the photos from past Reindeer Romp’s for some great ideas!
RACE SHIRTS
The first 400 entrants will be guaranteed a Reindeer Romp, gender specific, long sleeve tech shirt. Register by 11/24/2020 to guarantee your shirt size, after the 24th on a first come, first serve basis.
AWARDS
Awards for the top three male and female, master and grandmaster. Top three in each age group, 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & over.
Participant Protocols
· There will be no race day registration or packet pickup.
· Packet pickup will be a drive through packet pickup held at Louisville’s Paristown Hall Complex, 724 Brent St., Louisville, KY 40204. Packet pickup date is Friday, December 11th from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. You will be sent a detailed email with packet pickup instructions, wave time and your bib number on Wednesday, December 9th.
· There is a packet mailing option for a small fee but you must be registered before November 30th to receive your packet before the race date.
· Race will be run in waves of 50 that will start every three minutes starting at 9:00 a.m. You will be assigned your wave on Wednesday, December 9th. Waves will be assigned by projected pace per mile.
· Runners must wear a mask when not able to socially distance while warming up and MUST wear a mask into the start area and until you cross the starting line. Runners must replace their mask as soon as possible and socially distance at the finish.
· When passing a slower runner, announce intention to pass and put mask on if you can’t pass with a 6’ buffer.
· There will be no water stations. If you need hydration we suggest you carry additional with you.
· As you finish, there will be a table to pick up your bag of pre-packaged post-race drink and food. You will then proceed through the amphitheater over the flood wall and back to your car. Click here for course map and finish procedures.
· There will be no post-race gathering or awards ceremony. Awards will be mailed post-race.
· Spectators will not be permitted at the start, finish or along the course. We will have finisher photos free for download post race.
· There will be portable restrooms available, placed 8’ apart. Please make sure if waiting in line you leave 6’ between those waiting in line and wait until user has cleared the bathroom door by 6’ before entering.