Santa Run on Saturday in Minneapolis

Photos courtesy of Legal Aid

Santas will run at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Minneapolis Downtown YWCA, in the third annual benefit for Legal Aid. Last year 400 runners registered, but a blizzard kept actual participation to about 200. This year, says Pam Cunningham of Legal Aid, 250 were registered on-line by 8 a.m. Friday morning, and “we’re hoping for 300” by race time.

Each participant pays a $15 entry fee and raises at least $100 in pledges. The Santa Run web site makes it easy to register and to collect pledges by e-mailing friends, who can then contribute on-line. Registrations are accepted up until starting time — 4 p.m. on the day of the run — either on-line or in person at the run.

Participation is easy — just show up, with a toy for Toys for Tots, and pledges and registration fee. The organization furnishes one-size-fits-all Santa suits to adult participants and Santa hats to participants who are 12 and younger. Unfortunately, said Cunningham, they could not find a supplier for inexpensive dreidl suits, but last year participants made their own from cardboard boxes, and she expects they will do the same this year.

The festivities will kick off, so to speak, with the Minnesota Roller Girls. “If it doesn’t snow,,” said Cunningham, “they will actually rollerskate.”

Law firms compete to see which can field the largest team of Santas, with a trophy for the biggest team. There’s also a trophy for the individual delivering the largest pledge total. Last year’s winner raised $735.

The website promises “music [and] enough fun to make even Scrooge giggle! Running, walking, rolling or strolling – you’ll laugh all the way down Nicollet Mall!” Sounds like the best one and one-quarter miles in Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon.

For more information, contact Pam Cunningham at pcunningham@midmnlegal.org or 612-746-3703.