BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON
About 20 people participated in the 1st annual Rudolph Run on Saturday, Dec. 7. The 5K (3.1 mile) run/walk, which included a 1-mile fun run for the kids, raised money for the Edenton ACES Booster Club, which supports student-athletes and their activities at Edenton-Chowan Schools.
The race started at Elizabeth Van Moore Park and went through much of downtown Edenton. Police Department staff, including Chief David LaFon, were among those helping the event run smoothly.
Many participants wore their best ugly Christmas sweaters and other holiday-themed clothes for the race.
Members of the Aces’ indoor track team and other volunteers helped guide participants through the course. After the race, longtime runner and JAHHS Principal Sonya Rinehart noted that it was the best directed course she has been on. Rinehart was the second overall finisher and the first female with a time of 28 minutes 18.6 seconds.
Seth Overman, of Edenton, was first overall with a time of 23:17.31.
Besides getting long-sleeve shirts for participating, competitors were able to enjoy an assortment of fruit, granola bars, hot cocoa and Christmas-themed sunglasses or headbands.
For more results, visit Run the East.
Aces’ blue shirts decorate a table before the first Rudolph Run. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
The start and finish line included a balloon archway and reindeer. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Medals from the Rudolph Run. 
People wait for the start of the race around a heater. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Putting the race bib can be a challenge in the cold. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Participants wait for instructions to start during the Rudolph Run on Saturday. 
Edenton Police Chief David LaFon talks with another officer during the Rudolph Run on Saturday. 
A participant heads to the finish line of the Rudolph Run on Saturday on Water Street, Edenton. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Edenton Mayor Hack High (center) and his wife Martha High are among those participating in the Rudolph Run. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Participants start the Rudolph Run. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Participants head out after starting the Rudolph Run on Saturday in Edenton. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Start of the Rudolph Run. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Runners take off at the start of the Rudolph Run. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Participants take off at the start of the Rudolph Run. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Participants in the fun run take off on Water Street. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Seth Overman heads to the finish line to claim first place in the Rudolph Run. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
John A. Holmes High School Principal Sonya Rinehart heads to the finish line of the 1st annual Rudolph Run in Edenton. 
A participant heads to the finish line of the Rudolph Run on Saturday on Water Street, Edenton. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Rudolph Run participants (photo by Nicole Layton) 
A participant heads to the finish line of the Rudolph Run on Saturday on Water Street, Edenton. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
Heading to the finish line. (photo by Nicole Layton) 
A child wearing Christmas-themed glasses and sweater runs toward the finish line. (photo by Nicole Layton)