The annual Christmas Lights Run will be taking place at the courthouse square on Tuesday, December 11 at 6:30 p.m.

This is a very fun run for just about everybody. The object is not to race, but to enjoy a close-up view of some of the decorations that people put up during the holiday season. There are fast runners, slow runners and very slow runners, and even walkers. I did the run one time with in-line skates, so anything is possible.

The distance is normally about three miles; but a number of runners finish up down at the Sights and Sounds area to look at the lighted tree, and then re-group back at the courthouse.

The run usually heads down San Antonio Street to start, and then varies from there. David Alexander in the past has scouted out some of the more decorative homes and will have a map to follow if you want. A side trip up Bob Cotner’s lighted Scott Street is always included in the run.

Costumes are welcome; and runners have been seen wearing pointed Santa hats, pointed elf shoes, and lots of bells on shoes, and various forms of decorative clothing are always in style. If you do not want to customize your running outfit, regular running clothes are also welcome.

A strong emphasis on wearing light-colored clothing - with a preference for reflective vests and flashlights - is recommended. Flashlights serve two purposes during the run. One is to aid cars driving out at night to be able to see you from a distance; and the other is that it enables the runner to see any potholes, bumps or loose branches in the road to prevent an ankle sprain or fall.

I have lost count of how many runs in a row this year will be, but it is getting up there. Some runs in very cold weather saw the group dwindle down to three runners; and one year, in a fairly heavy rainstorm, the number was up to around a dozen or more. It made a difficult time when, after the run, we went to eat at a restaurant; and everyone was dripping water all over the chairs and floor. Some of the more intelligent runners watched the weather forecast before they arrived at the run, and brought dry clothes to put on afterwards.

Eating in dry clothes is much more enjoyable than bottom surfing around in a chair, while rain dropping from your hair makes mashed potatoes into potato soup. But it was all in good fun, and it definitely set you apart from the rest of the patrons.

After the run, all runners and their friends are invited to meet at the San Marcos Activity Center for some refreshments. If you are willing to contribute to the food after the run, contact Laura Mason and let her know what you will be bringing.

This is a good chance to meet other runners, joggers and walkers and to trade stories about the run or about runs coming up. If you are a beginner, it is a good time to get some training tips from the more experienced runners. For the more experienced runners, it is a good time to catch up on how training is going and to compare notes with other good runners.

Looking ahead to Tuesday with the weather, it looks like good running conditions with a slight chance of some rain possible. A dry shirt or some clothes might be a good idea to bring along. Even if it does not rain, a runner might work up a sweat; and dry clothes are always nice to put on afterwards.

The run is open to everyone who wants to join in a festive occasion; so be sure to show up Tuesday evening at the courthouse square, and bring some friends along while you are at it. A slow or fast runner or walker will enjoy a good time. Don’t forget the light reflective clothes to wear during the run; and I hope to see a large crowd take advantage of this fun event.