Bizzy Fizzy soaks up the moment, draws 700-plus in record Big Elf Run
Credit to Author: Gord Kurenoff| Date: Sun, 15 Dec 2019 19:32:11 +0000
A few days ago, just before teaching a class at LaSalle College on Renfrew Street, Baxter Bayer nursed a non-fat latte and shared his biggest off-campus concern of the month: “Wonder if my elf tights still fit?”
Yes Virginia, there was an awkward silence clause, as people with good hearing sitting at nearby tables looked on in shock. Five long seconds later: “And I’m losing sleep trying to come up with new elf warmup moves!”
♦ FOR STARTLINE TIMING BIG ELF RUN RESULTS, click HERE
♦ FOR MY PHOTOS FROM SATURDAY, click HERE
Offering the stressed teacher an apple seemed wrong (as did ducking out the back door), so I handed him Khalua wrapped in an elf bottle holder, and hoped for two things: It would help with the “creative process” and, if nothing else, it would make a great prop for the fifth annual Big Elf Run and 1K Wee Elf Run!
As more than 700 costumed people flooded into Stanley Park Saturday afternoon for the 15K, 10K, 5K and 1K fun runs, an extra-excited Bayer admitted he didn’t sleep Friday night, but that he came up with some epic moves — the Electric Elf Slide, Robot Elf, Elf-A-Bits and Elf-vis Presley leg shaking. Thank you Khalua for your continued inspiration!
Bayer also admitted, before switching to Fizzy B Elf mode, that “creating special moments” was the initial idea behind his Super Fun Run Series. On that count he hit it out of the park Saturday with a record turnout.
He didn’t get much sleep Friday night, but Baxter Bayer did fit into his elf tights as he delivered another superb event, with the record-setting Big Elf Run on Saturday. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Knickerbocker Buckleboots won the best elf name, Jingle Sparklepants (Sunil Kalia) won the inaugural 15K and double-medal challenge in 1:01:19, the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau won, the medal designer should have received a special medal and it felt like an Oprah show where everyone went home a winner.
There were musicians along the course, singers at the start line, a DJ, inflatable festive characters, Christmas decor, ugly sweaters, dogs in costume, Elf’s Angels with mullets, Grinches, hyped up kids and seniors all swagged out in elf gear.
While I’m no Elfbert Elfstein, it didn’t take a genius to figure out the people were having fun soaking up this “moment” made possible by a few pay-it-forward souls in Bayer’s tiny Running Tours. Inc. workshop.
Delia (Bling Pixie) Visscher, 88, was a special guest Saturday at the Big Elf Run and took part in the 10K. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Allow me to share two behind-the-scene “moments,” too: Former New York City ballet dancer Delia Visscher, who lost her husband to Alzheimer’s disease two years ago, wanted something to keep her mind and body busy this festive season so Bayer reached out to the 88-year-old Vancouver woman and made her a special guest. She was there Saturday having a great time.
“It was fun especially because it was so well planned and carried out,” said Delia. She took part in the 10K under the bib name Bling Pixie and posted an impressive time of 1:49.14.
The “OHGORD” running team in Saturday’s Big Elf Run, from the left: Gord Kurenoff, Dennis Hill, Sandra Jongs Sayer, Lisa Kurenoff, Linda Hill and smiling Emily Arroyo, who did the 15K in 90 minutes in her first Vancouver run.
A family friend, 15-year-old Emily Arroyo, was reduced to tears last week after her Washington cross-country team left her off the list for state finals even though she had one of the better times in qualifying. In sharing that story with Bayer over coffee, he worked his magic and there was Emily, wearing a Goldenlights Mistletoes bib on Saturday, running the 15K in 90 minutes. It was her first time running in Vancouver and she’s probably still smiling.
I’m pretty sure Bayer had other special guests there, too, all with a neat story, all who needed a festive lift. It’s why our family does the Elf Abroad photo shoots on fall vacations to warm places — this event captures fun, family and festive spirit, friendships and pay-it-forward karma. It will have my loyal support until the day I die — or can’t fit into elf tights!
Here are some other great “moments” from Saturday’s Big Elf Run:
Dora Velazquez, with the red top and white dress, takes part in the Epic Elf Electric Slide warmup routine with race director Baxter (Fizzy B Elf) Bayer. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
On Saturday she was known as Sparkly Firehope, posing for pictures, laughing, stretching it out with Bayer’s epic elf moves, flashing her signature peace sign in the starting gate. Then Dora Velazquez posted a 41:46 in the 10K, taking seventh overall in the 269-runner event.
“I always have fun here. I always laugh at the costumes and the people are very nice,” said Velazquez, who never seems to lose her sweet smile no matter how tough the competitions are around the Lower Mainland.
Katia Stano dressed for success, elf style, on Saturday as she took pictures of the fifth annual Big Elf Run. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Katia Stano of iPOLPO photos, one of the prettier faces you’ll ever see at a finish line, usually sends me a note every Monday along with a photo of my tongue dragging on the race course of the week.
She’s a beauty, as they say, as the Fort Langley runner in photographer’s clothing also supports the sport, takes part in it and helps to motivate those she meets with kind words and fantastic pictures. She also has a pretty wicked sense of humour.
So it was really cool on Saturday afternoon when Bayer got the entire crowd to wish Katia a Merry Christmas before the adult runs. She and her photo app firm are to my running journey what Body Glide is to a first-time marathoner!
If you participated Saturday there’s a good chance Katia took your photo, so check out the iPOLPO app and relive the memory.
Karin Femi and Bebe sprint to the finish in Saturday’s 1K Wee Elf Run. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Karin Femi, a runner, trainer, coach and mom, and longtime supporter of this blog, will never forget Bayer’s La Gran Fiesta Run two years ago in Burnaby when yours truly showed up in a Mexican-themed outfit and “porn stache,” as she called it.
I have, through the yearly chapters of this blog, watched Bebe grow up as Femi carried her little cutie to fun runs all across the Lower Mainland.
So to see them sprinting together to the IK Wee Elf Run finish line on Saturday was pretty special. And scary — give the kid a couple more years and we can all step one spot back in the order of finish!
Buddies Gord Kurenoff and Baxter Bayer enjoy a fun moment before Saturday’s fifth annual Big Elf Run. (Running Tours Inc. photo)
Christmas can be a tough time of year for many families, for many reasons, but in case this is my final running blog it needs to be said: When Bayer awarded the prestigious Running Tours Inc. Santa Claus of the Year title to this scribe a couple years — just a few months after my awesome brother died — it was a real game-changer.
Most race directors want publicity (before and after the race, more if possible) and they reach out hoping you can help them spread the good word. And then a year goes by without contact.
Not Bayer. Over the years he has become a great friend, a guy who takes ideas, criticism and cheap shots, and always stays classy. His energy and optimism are second to none.
He promoted this little blog, encouraged me to take part in his events “and leave the camera and notebook at home if you want” and always checked in from time to time to make sure we were all doing OK, especially after the loss of little bro. And he kept me going on days that got dark.
On Saturday when he had this ear-to-ear grin while examing the huge Big Elf Run crowd, he turned to me and said: “Look at all the people. This is amazing, they are all amazing.”
Yeah, Buddy — and Buddy is such a fitting name for a grown man jammed into an elf suit — they were here for you and your epic fun show that creates smiles, laughter, memories and priceless “moments.” And I’m pretty sure they’ll all be back. Godspeed and never change.
The 19th annual three-leg Fraser Valley Trail Run Series opens Wednesday, Jan. 1 at Crescent Park in Surrey with the popular Resolution Race.
The 4K and 8K races, hosted by PEN RUN, get underway at 10 a.m. There will also be a 2K race for those 15 or younger.
For more information or to register click HERE.
The 35th annual Running Room Resolution Run will be held New Year’s Day in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Langley, Port Coquitlam and Vancouver with 5K and 1K events. New Year’s Eve runs will take place in Kelowna, Victoria and Nanaimo.
For more information and to enter click HERE.
FINISH LINES — I’ll be joining more than 100 guests at the Forever Young Club‘s year-end banquet in Richmond on Monday and will have a report from that delicious buffet (smile), plus a look at another popular Richmond-area event, the annual Steveston Icebreaker 8K and New Balance 1K Kids Run, which is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 19.
Gotta run …