The Cleveland Christmas Run

_UPDATE- SHIPPING OF VIRTUAL PACKETS_

WE HAVE RECEIVED THE COOL MEDALS AND MANY OF YOU THAT ATTENDED THE CLEVELAND FILM COMMISSION EVENT RECEIVED YOURS. OUR SHIRT VENDOR NOTIFIED US THAT THE SHIRTS WILL BE IN OUR HANDS ON DECEMBER 11. IT WILL TAKE US A FEW DAYS TO GET EVERYTHING PACKAGED AND INTO THE MAIL SO EXPECT TO RECEIVE YOUR PACKET IN MID-DECEMBER. YOU HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER 25 TO COMPLETE YOUR VIRTUAL RUN.



_IMPORTANT- CONVERSION TO A VIRTUAL EVENT_

Unfortunately registrations are lagging. The combination of the early November date, the race theme change, the 3-year absence has had a significant impact on the event. While this race normally has 5,500 to 7,200 runners, yet our projections indicate less than 2,500 will show up. This race involves constructing an elaborate start line and finish line, tying up city streets, shutting down the interstate exit, and providing a significant amount of road barricades. Its a race that is costly to set up, and even costlier to operate. In the three-year absence, we lost every one of our sponsors that helped defray the cost of the event. In short, were forecasting a loss of over $50,000. Were not a huge corporation, just two running enthusiasts that love the movie and enjoy producing this event. We cannot afford a loss.

This has forced us to transition the Live event in Cleveland to a Virtual Run. Because we have medals on order (they have long lead times and we must order months ahead of time) we are converting everyone to a Virtual runner and youll still receive your shirt and medal. For those of you that prefer to not run a virtual event, we will offer a refund, but were hoping most of you will opt to be a Virtual runner as we have the significant cost of the shirts, medals, and other sunk costs we incurred. We are also working with our race timer, GCXC Racing, to offer you the option of a live Christmas race experience at one of their 9 Run Santa Run 5k events in Ohio, Western Pennsylvania or West Virginia.

_HOW DO I ELECT A REFUND?_

We are transitioning all of the participants that registered for the 5K or 10K to the Virtual Run, and we will send your cool long sleeve quarter zip shirt, and awesome race medal to you.
IF you wish to not receive your cool race items here is the process for requesting a refund is to simply locate your original confirmation email from RunSignUp and then go to the Manage Registration link. From there you can request a refund back to your credit card.

However I'm hoping that many of you decide to remain as Virtual Runners. To do so, you don't have to do anything, and we will ship your shirt and medal to you. If you really want to participate in a live race, I've arranged the option for you to run one of nine Santa Runs which are offered by our timing company GCXC in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. When you Manage Registration, instead of electing a refund, you will be able to select one of the Santa Runs listed. It's a freebie to you, and our way of thanking you for sticking with us and being a Virtual Runner. We will be shipping our Virtual packets for delivery in December, in advance of Christmas.

The option to elect a refund, or select a Santa Run will remain open for one week, UNTIL SUNDAY OCTOBER 22 AT NOON. After that, everyone that has not elected will be a Virtual runner.

All of the Cleveland Film Commission events are still happening, and we will be in Cleveland that weekend to support their event. If you are coming to their event I hope to see you.
Thanks for your patience as we work through all the changes with this year's event.

Yours in Christmas,
Jim Crist, Assistant To The Race Director