New route for local holiday run

On Saturday, the City of Yuma held its third fun run of the season: the Reindeer Roundup 5K/10K.

This run is third in the series and allowed participants to see a different side of the West Wetlands Park.

Runners got to enjoy an early morning view of the trails near the river, the footbridge and through the new Playa Linda Beach.

“We debuted a new route today, we have a new trail that goes along the river, so we have an opportunity to incorporate the new beaches we opened up this summer,” said Nathan Zach, recreation coordinator for the City.

This run was also the second in which runners received medals and point standings.

Zach said that over 200 Yumans registered for all six runs that the city coordinates throughout the year.

For the Reindeer Roundup, over 300 people signed up ahead of time to run Saturday morning, Zach said.

Mother and daughter Kim and Adeline Valenzuela have been participating in the City of Yuma run for a year now.

According to Kim, she started the tradition with her trainer.

After passing away over a year ago, Kim said she wanted to use the runs as a way to remember him.

Adeline said she enjoys waking up in the morning because it gets her adrenaline flowing.

The mother-daughter duo was sporting a festive t-shirt with a felt reindeer and sparkly tutus.

Adeline said the outfits were thanks to the handiwork of her grandmother, “my grandmother she was amazing and she did these,” she said.

The City will be holding its next run on January 5th: The Resolution Run.

You can sign up at City Hall any time before January 3 for $17.