Decked out

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Santa had already crossed the finish line of the Decked Out Dash, but he wasn’t done yet. 

Somewhere on the course someone was having a hard time finishing the race, but Santa wasn’t going to leave him alone.

 “For the most part everyone is just having a good time [at the race], but this guy, I think, he was giving up on the race,” said race director Amanda Marcrum.

When Santa crossed the finish line for the second time, he was hand-in-hand with the participant in The Arc of Jefferson County’s programs who had almost given up. Both men wore big grins. 

“I was working the finish line that year and I just remember being like, ‘That was such a cool moment,’” Marcrum said. “It was just one of those moments were you are like, that was so awesome!” 

For the past five years, The Arc of Jefferson County, a nonprofit organization that provides services for children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Jefferson and Blount County, has put on the Decked Out Dash 5K and One-Mile Run.

It’s the kickoff to the organization’s fundraising year, and it’s the one event that everyone involved in The Arc can participate in. Day program coordinator at the Arc, Josh Patterson, explained its residents and clients can walking with members of the Arc’s Junior Board. Everyone will be paired up by like interests so they can talk while they walk. 

“It’s something that gets them participating and involved,” Patterson said. “People with intellectual disabilities are twice as likely to have obesity prevalence in their population, so it’s a good thing to encourage them to exercise and to promote a healthy lifestyle.”  

Getting to dress up and enjoy being out at Oak Mountain State Park also provides an opportunity to develop social skills. Rhoda* and Michael*, residents at the Arc, both dressed up for last year’s Decked Out Dash and they said they are excited to do so again. 

Rhoda, who cheerfully exuded that she planned on being this year’s champion of the race, wore a Santa hat and a jingle bell, which she enjoyed dinging while she walked. Her favorite part, she said, was the singing along to songs like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Silent Night” at the reception.   

Michael dressed as another Santa Claus complete with a white beard, and said he loved dancing like “Keith Sweat” to the DJ’s music. Both he and Rhoda said they enjoyed being able to have fun and run with their friends.

Everyone who decks out is invited to participate in the costume contest, and Marcrum said the competition can be tough. Last year, even though the race was rained out, a father and son sent in a photo of Dad dressed as Santa pushing his son in stroller made to look like Santa’s sleigh. 

The year before, a lady showed up in holiday attire from head to toe. She wore a Santa hat and striped socks up to her knees, and her Christmas shirt was bedazzled in jewels of red and green, snowflakes and bells. Every step produced a jingle from the bells attached to her shoes, shirt and dangling earrings. 

“She won the costume contest that year because her personality was just as loud as the costume was,” Marcrum said. “She was amazing, she definitely had the crowd favorite.”  

Marcrum always wears a tacky Christmas sweater decorated with garland, and she said other racers come wearing Christmas lights, elf ears and shoes, antlers and any other kind of holiday attire imaginable. A Santa always makes an appearance for photos. 

There will also be a DJ playing Christmas music as well as many vendors present. This year’s race is Dec. 13 at 8 a.m. at Oak Mountain State Park. For more information or to register for the race, visit runsignup.com/Race/AL/Pelham/TheDeckedOutDash.

*Last names were excluded for privacy.