The Alpha Nu Epsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi held its first Reindeer Run on Saturday, Dec. 1. More than 130 runners participated in the 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run events. Winners are as follows:

Fun Run Winner – Reese Couture

5K Men:

1st place – Will Ferguson

2nd place – Jared Plant

3rd place – Rusty Ivey

5K Women:

1st place – Rachel Green

2nd place – Logan Parish

3rd place – Kathy Musick

Most Outrageous Costume – Parker Gilow

One participant, Mary Kaplan, entered with a special goal in mind – to complete a 5K in each county in Texas. The 73-year-old runner has already completed races in more than 130 Texas counties and traveled from her home on Lake LBJ, west of Austin, to add Upshur County to her list. “One of my other goals for running races is to be a role model for the younger folks,” Kaplan said of her dedication to running.

Proceeds from the Reindeer Run will help Alpha Nu Epsilon sponsor a needy family for Christmas, provide college scholarships for high school seniors and sponsor a student in the Gilmer ISD Backpack Program, as well as provide donations to various community events.

“We want to thank everyone who participated in our event. We are blessed with an amazing community of people who are always willing to come out and help raise money for those in need,” said race coordinator Mary Jane Ham. “We already can’t wait to do it again next year and have plans to make it even bigger and better.”