Donate a toy, get fit with the Chasing Santa 5K in Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)- Get your running shoes ready, all for a good cause. For its 10th year, Christmas Unlimited, a non-profit organization tending to underserved families in Colorado Springs is bringing back their 'Chasing Santa 5k and Cycling Run' toy drive.
The 9Round Fitness location on Centennial Blvd is just one donation site where people can drop off unwrapped toys this holiday season for their big race.
In return, you'll get a 10-day pass to the '9Round Fitness' gym to help you get fit for that race.
A 5k run takes some preparation, but '9Round Boxing Fitness' a veteran-owned franchise gym has got you covered -- with their 30-minute workouts that amount to 3 minutes each round.
"A typical 5k race takes about 30 minutes, so the conditioning here where it is a non-stop workout, working on kicks and punches, which really makes you work your core, helps you with balance, helps you with all the things you need efficiently as well," said Melissa Lantz, the owner of '9Round Boxing Fitness' gyms in Colorado Springs.
A simple toy donation at one of these sites could lead to a life-changing experience, which might be worth trying considering the fact that this race requires runners to do it in a Santa suit after the Thanksgiving holiday.
"I just had a gentleman the other day and bring some Nerf guns into the building and I handed him a 10-day pass and he was very grateful, not only is he going to come back in but bring in other family members, the new year is coming and just helping them reach their goals one step at a time," said Taylor Abbott, a champion trainer at 9Round Fitness.
With the help of social distancing, the event wasn't canceled last year, and Christmas Unlimited was able to provide parents gifts for their children thanks to the generous donations from the community. It's a goal they hope to achieve this year, and an act of kindness that comes full circle.
"With these events, we not only get toys and cash donations, we also get exposure in the community because we are depending on the community to donate to us all year round, not only during the holiday season," said Mike Tapia, executive director of Christmas Unlimited.
Last year the organization was able to provide school supplies and toys for more than 7,000 children across the Pikes Peak region.
The race takes place on Saturday, December 4, and will be at the Legacy Loop Plaza at 1800 Recreation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.
To sign up head on over to their website.
