December 14th, 2023: Clayton, NC Clayton Area Runners
Thursday at Deep River looked a little more colorful on this chilly December evening as runners gathered together to celebrate the Christmas and Holiday season with friends, family and food! Of course there were still people doing the run, it is a Run Club afterall.
Throughout the evening over 80 runners and their familes gathered inside while another 30+ runners braved the cool crisp air to get in their miles before the party.
Our 3rd Annual Christmas / Holiday Social was the largest and most attended one to date! Runners brought an assortment of dishes and desserts to share and by the evenings end, almost nothing was left.
The room was full of conversations and laughter as Christmas Music played in the background and a picture slide show was projected on the wall featuring club pictures of 2023. The event was family friendly with many toddlers weaving their way through the crowd and bringing great smiles and laughs to everyone.
Among the guests dressed in their festive sweaters, dresses and shirts were runners in their shorts and light vests getting some good food after their run.
This might be the only party in town where it's accepted to show up at 6:00pm and tell everyone you have to run at 6:30pm.
The assortment of food was a representation of the many talents within the club. There were many home-made desserts and dishses available and crockpots full of meatballs, cocktail weiners, dips and more.
Desserts were bountiful with a selection of cookies, doughnuts, cakes, fudge, almond roca and more. Rumor has it this was the fuel behind the perpetual motion of the little ones.
In addition to the run, music, food and laughs, the club held it's annual Raffle Fundraiser. Each year the items in the raffle grow and get better. This year we had over 50 items to give away including Gift Cards to local businsses and Free race entries and food!
The annual raffle rasies funds for Clayton Area Runners 501(c)3 organization that donates that money to local charities and assists local organizations that have an impact on our community. This year the Raffle raised $1,305! An incredible amount from generous people. Next year there will be some adjustments made to the raffle process and winning requirements as we had multiple people win, multiple times! It wasn't rigged, but with so many people and so many prizes, there's a better way in 2024.
The club would like to thank all of the local businesses who donated for our Raffle Fundraiser and we encourage all of our runners to patron them if you can!
Tobacco Road RAce Entry: Carla
Glenair 5K: Jon
Glenair 5K: Carlos
Fit & Able Entry: Sharon
Fit & Able Entry: Carla
Neuse River Bridge 5K: Scot
Neuse River Bridge 10K: Luis
Wilmington Marathon: Bettie
$50 ER Wax Bar Gift Card: Cameron
$50 ER Wax Bar Gift Card: Chrissy
Sign Cypsies Gift Certificate: Anthony
Inspire Gift Card: Sharon
Pure Green Gift Bag: Laura
Smithfield's Chicken n'BBQ Gift Card: Barbara
Nancy Jo's Gift Card: Stephanie
Capstone Race Entry: Scot
Romeo Pizza Gift Card: Carl
Renew Body Spa Gift Card: Mike
LaDiDa Gift Card: Paula
Three Little Birds Gift Card: Carrie
Victory Yoga Gift Card: Bob
Clayton Integral Willness Gift Card: Ryan
Tavern 42 Gift Card: Carla
Boba Beans Gift Cards: Thomas
Boba Beans Gift Card: Rebecca
First Street Tavern Gift Card: Jason
Deep River Gift Card: Rhonda
Deep River Gift Card: Tina
Pace Yourself Run Club Bag: Tony
Milltown Java Jog 5K Entry: Kim
LaDiDa Gift Card: Pam
First Street Tavern Gift Card: Bob
All Good Seasoning Pack: Mike
Fleet Feet Gift Cards & Hat (x5): Mike, Susan, Carrie, Rebecca (x2)
JD's Country Store Free Propane Refill & Pizza (x2): Jon, Daniela
Woodall Fitness Gift Card: Mike
For Cakes Sake: Leah
Fat Johnny's Gift Card: Rebecca
Pure Green Gift Bag: Brian
Hair Junkies Gift Card: Anais
Grasshopper Farm in Knightdale: Karen
Fleet Feet Hats: Chrissy
Permabood Cups: Mike
9 Bar Coffehouse Gift Card: Lisa
BLVD Coffee Gift Card: Fely
Homemade goodes by Sharon: Bettie
Dance Classes by Raquel: Carrie
Thank you to the Clayton Area Runners - 501(c)3 Board Members who worked behind the scenes to ensure this event was a success. Everything with CAR is done with Volunteer hours and donations. A massive "THANK YOU" to all of our runners who supported and participated in this event, donating food and time to make this a great event.
"The club is so great, because the people are so great"
