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Dogs and their humans run together at the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7 in Vicksburg. The event was a fundraiser for Paws Rescue, a no-kill animal shelter in Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Bonny East (683) hangs out with her dogs at the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7. The event was a fundraiser for Paws Rescue, a no-kill animal shelter in Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

A boy and his dog take in the scene at the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7 at Catfish Row Art Park. The event is a fundraiser for Paws Rescue, a no-kill animal shelter in Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

A dog and her human compete in the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7 in Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Runenrs take off from the starting line at the Reindeer Run 5K Dec. 7 in downtown Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Kellyn Smith runs with her dog during the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7 in Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Sarah Rice (667) and Cora Lindsay (983) compete in the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7 in Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Zachary Bullen (34) competes in the 2024 Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Santa, along with one of his elves and a couple of reindeer, waits for the runners and walkers to return to the start/finish line at the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7.

Two people cheer on the runners and walkers at the 2024 Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Noland Bullen (26) competes in the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7 in Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Supporters hold up signs to cheer on the runners and walkers at the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7 in Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Lee Kirk (81) tries to catch Bailey Dickerson during the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 7 in Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Runners and walkers make their way along the course at the Reidneer Run 5K on Dec. 7 in Vicksburg. The event was a fundraiser for Paws Rescue, a no-kill animal shelter in Vicksburg. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

It was called the Reindeer Run, but as always a different brand of beast was the headlining act.

Nearly 150 people, many of whom ran or walked alongside their dogs, participated in the Reindeer Run 5K Saturday, Dec. 7 in downtown Vicksburg.

The event is a fundraiser for Paws Rescue, a no-kill animal shelter in Vicksburg, and included a pet parade and other festivities along with the 5K run and race walk.

“This year is Paws Rescue’s 20th-year anniversary, so we’re excited about that,” Paws Rescue president Leigh Conerly said. “This event is our biggest of the year and the community really comes out and supports us. We have a great run committee that puts it all together and it’s just one of the most fun things we do.”

REINDEER RUN 5K RESULTS

Eric Mason won the overall 5K run, with a time of 21 minutes even. Cohen Coomes was second, with a time of 21:50, and 13-year-old Joya Phillips finished third overall and took the women’s championship in 21:51.

In the race walk, Ron Roma won the men’s and overall title with a time of 32:03, while Terrie Foster was the women’s champion and second overall in 33:54. Lew Fore finished third in 36:44, and then Tracy Johnston (37:12) and Elizabeth Joyner (37:42) rounded out the top five.

The races were only part of the attraction, though. In its brief six-year history the Reindeer Run has quickly become a fun early-December holiday event.

Sponsors handed out dog treats and toys from tables set up around the Catfish Row Art Park splash pad. The grand finale was a pet parade that featured dogs dressed up in Christmas costumes.

Frank the Pug, owned by Catherine Steward, was the winner and received a nice bag of treats to go along with the honor.

Also getting a treat is Paws Rescue. The Reindeer Run has raised nearly $150,000 for the organization in its first five years. Last year’s event raised nearly $40,000. The money helps fund its operations for the following year.

The race is a major fundraiser for the organization, but donations are always accepted through Pay Pal at its website pawsrescuepets.org, or by mail at P.O. Box 13, Redwood, MS 39156. Donations of pet food are also welcome.

“We had a very small group when we started this,” Reindeer Run event coordinator Debbie Haworth said. “This is our sixth year and we didn’t have any idea it would grow to be like this. The first year, we were going to be so happy if we were able to give Paws Rescue $1,000 and then we made $11,000 the first year. And it’s just kept growing.”

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