Holiday Lights Run lights up Catonsville

  • 2018-01-02
Catonsville is the site of the Holiday Lights Run, an unusual event that began with about 50 people taking part. In 2016, that had exploded to over 300; the number is expected to keep climbing.

Several years ago—no one is exactly sure when—the Catonsville Klunkers, a mountain biking group, kept meeting runners known as the Full Moon Crazies, as both groups enjoyed Patapsco State Park. Eventually, the two groups decided to celebrate the holidays together by riding and running through Catonsville, singing carols, and then having a party, according to Scott Westcoat, who owns a bicycle shop in the city. The run was born.

The increase, according to Westcoat, was because word spread through the small community quickly. People saw the runners, and wanted to know what was going on. Although Westcoat says this was the fourth year for the event, Kristen Miller, the organizer, claimed it was the sixth. No matter who's correct, what is known is that hundreds of walkers and joggers—some wearing Christmas lights—took to the streets in mid-December, singing Christmas carols and having loads of fun.

The Holiday Lights Run isn't really a race, just a family-friendly evening where people can sing, stroll along at their own speed, and look at Christmas lights and decorations. The route has been cut from seven miles to four, to accommodate everyone.

Fun events like this can be even more special if organizers use Banners, which are sturdy and can be used outdoors, to decorate the route.
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