How It All Started
The first Reindeer Run was held on the first Saturday in December 2010. The American Canyon High School had just opened and the event began on the school track, with the route weaving through the local neighborhood streets. There were more volunteers–50 very enthusiastic ACHS students–than there were participants, but we knew we were on to something.
The idea of the event came out of a simple conversation earlier that year between Joe Nabrynski and Beth Goff. Joe mentioned that KHOPE International, a nonprofit entity on which he was a Board Member, was looking for a new fundraiser, one in which might include the new ACHS students. Beth had always wanted to hold a fun run in American Canyon and pitched it to Joe. The rest, as they say, is history.
Joe and his wife Nancy worked tirelessly on obtaining sponsors and continually refining sign-ups. Beth went to work on recruiting volunteers at the high school and laying out the route. The original run offered a 5k, 10k, and children’s Rudolph Romp.) When the run was moved to Thompson’s Trail, the original runs were kept. Santa and Mrs. Claus were added and participants all received Christmas bells as medals. The community sponsors generously donated items for the swag bag, and participants walked away with a race tee with original art.
In 2020, American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation partnered with KHOPE International for the first time, and has since taken over the event. As hoped, this event kicks off the holiday season in American Canyon!
