Inaugural Tacky Christmas Run in Cullman, Alabama

Bright colors were popping on Saturday morning, December 1, 2012, at the inaugural Tacky Christmas Run, in downtown Cullman, Alabama. Everyone from Santa to Elves to Who's from Whoville to tutu-laden runners put in appearance at this race. To put it mildly, it looked very much like Christmas kitsch threw up all over itself - but then again, that was the point.

Inaugural Tacky Christmas Run, Cullman, Alabama :: December 1, 2012

Some fifty run participated in the 5K, which kicked off at 8am in ideal weather. Despite it being the race's first year, it was well organized, with Cullman police blocking intersections, encouraging volunteers stationed along they way to point runners in the right direction (including the Easter Bunny in Christmas Decor - below), water stations, on-site paramedics, and free food (from Chick-Fil-A and Logans, among others) at the end of the race.

The Easter Bunny Cheers Runners

The race was dubbed "Feet on a Mission!" by its organizers who are using the proceeds from this and other fundraising enterprises in their continual mission to aid the Sonrise Baby Home in Uganda, Africa. The orgnizers, among whom are two nurses from Children's Hospital of Alabama and who attend Cullman's Desperation Church, will be visiting the Sonrise Baby Home in the near future.

Following the 5K was the One Mile Fun Run, which had about twenty-five participants, the majority of whom were children. In fact, kids placed first through third in the Fun Run.

So if this time next year, you're looking for a good, little race run by good people for a good cause, I encourage you to seek out what will hopefully be the Second Annual Tacky Christmas Run in Cullman, Alabama. And don't forget to seek out your most appalling Christmas garb.

Young Caleb Heis bests both his Dad, Andy, and the Easter Bunny to Win the One Mile Fun Run