Hundreds of students, staff and community members gathered at the Hydaway Outdoor Center on Dec. 2 to run in the 17th annual Reindeer Run.

The Reindeer Run is the third leg of the Liberty Mountain Trail Series, with many runners already completing the Deep Hollow Half Marathon and the Valley View Mike Donahue 5-miler. Runners are invited to participate in all five races, but not required to.

The 2-mile race took runners from the zip line field out onto the Hydaway trail systems, eventually making a loop and bringing them back to where they began.

The event also included treats such as cookies and cocoa for participants to enjoy after they completed the race.

“It’s just a fantastic environment,” Katy Clay, director of Outdoor Recreation, said. “We deck the place out. It provides an atmosphere where we have people of all generations in the same place for the same reason.”

Nate Davis, a junior, enjoyed the challenge that the race brought.

“I really enjoyed the challenge of the race,” Davis said. “The last hill before the finish line was definitely the hardest part.”

The Liberty Mountain Trail Series will continue in the spring semester with the Arctic 5K taking place Feb. 3, and the King of the Mountain race on March 2. For more information or to register for either race, visit this website.

Smith is the news editor for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on X