Repeat winners for Reindeer Run benefit

Repeat winners take the Reindeer Run benefit for Generations of Indian Valley

SOUDERTON » Matthew Brown says he has to slow down, just like everyone else, when he’s running on the Souderton hills.

That hasn’t stopped him, though, from being the first finisher three of the seven years the Reindeer Run 5K has been held.

“They’re good hills, but I train on hills,” Brown, 27, said of the Souderton terrain.

A Chalfont resident, he trains in Peace Valley Park, he said.

The Reindeer Run, a benefit for Generations of Indian Valley, begins at Generations, then loops through Souderton streets before returning to Generations where a breakfast is held the first Saturday of each December. It kicks off a day of holiday celebrations in Souderton followed by the holiday parade and the Christmas tree lighting.

This year’s first place finish by Brown followed in the hoofprints of his first place finishes in 2016 and 2014, the only other two years he’s run it.

“I wish I could do all of them, but work, school keeps me busy,” he said.

“I just love running. It’s a great stress reliever,” Brown said. “It’s just me. It’s just the road.”

Brown wasn’t the only repeat top finisher.

Darla Bergey, who finished third overall and was the first female finisher this year was also the first female finisher last year.

“It’s nice and local,” Bergey, 47, of Sellersville, who also runs marathons, said of the Reindeer Run.

“I like to support local,” Bergey said, “and my son ran with me today, so that was nice.”

In another repeat at the top of the leader board, 15-year-old Andrew Reice, of Perkasie, was second overall and first in his age group this year. Reice finished third overall last year and second in 2015.

For the second year in a row, the local chapter of Ainsley’s Angels also took part in the run. Ainsley’s Angels allows children who are not able to run on their own to take part while being pushed in strollers by teammate runners.

For non-runners, the Reindeer Run also has a one mile fun walk.

Many of the runners and walkers wear reindeer antlers or other holidaythemed outfits.

Jim Townsend, of Warminster, was different, though.

He came in a rain slicker with a sign on his front and back saying, “I thought they said, ‘Rain Gear!’”

Townsend, who was there with his wife and two grandchildren, said they were all taking part in the walk.

“My wife’s a disabled veteran, so we do the walk,”

Noses are red antlers are brown The Reindeer Run is coming to town! — sign at Generations of Indian Valley

Townsend said.

Last year was the first time they took part in the walk, he said.

“We loved it so much that we had to come back,” Townsend said.

This year’s Reindeer Run had 316 runners and walkers, Lisa Furbacher, Generations’ assistant director, said.

BOB KEELER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Runners cross the finish line at this year’s Reindeer Run 5K.

BOB KEELER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA For the second year in a row, Matthew Brown was the firstplace finisher at the Reindeer Run.

BOB KEELER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Linda Dickinson, left, serves breakfast at Generations of Indian Valley following the Dec. 2 Reindeer Run.

BOB KEELER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Runners stretch before the start of the Reindeer Run.

Participants gather for the annual Reindeer Run benefit.

BOB KEELER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Runners take off at the start of the Reindeer Run 5K Dec. 1 in Souderton.

BOB KEELER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Jim Townsend of Warminster displays his Reindeer Run outfit.