Around-the-World Marathon Begins

Welcome back! Today, we begin Santa’s favorite event – the Around-the-World-Marathon.

The Marathon is the fourth event of a very exciting Reindeer Games. And don’t forget, following the Around-the-World Marathon, the reindeer will be showing their skills in the Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Obstacle Course and Snowboarding events.

This year’s marathon is on a difficult course that will take the reindeer to many different cities and towns all over the world. And to plan such a challenging and important route, Santa has turned to his most expert and map-worthy elf, Jimmy the Navigator.

Jimmy’s plan will send the deer up and out of the North Pole and over Greenland, followed by a tour of Canada and the United States tomorrow, Central and South America on Wednesday and then Europe, Africa and Asia on Thursday, just before the return to the North Pole.

“It’s quite a trip,” said Santa, “but the great reindeer must be ready to lead my sleigh around the world on Christmas Eve, and so this is a good warm-up for them.”

“And by the way, it’s Jim’s birthday today,” said Rudolph, “so let’s wish him a happy birthday!”

Yes, indeed. And with that good wish, we are ready for the race! There’s a big crowd gathered at the North Pole to see the start. The deer will head out over the Pole quickly, and all the many fans at the North Pole will follow the rest of the race on the Elfian GPS system, as the reindeer make their way around the world.

The flag is up and the deer are off! Needless to say, flying is allowed in this event, and all eight deer have a beautiful take-off. They are up and over the North Pole and heading toward a very interesting place called Greenland.

Greenland is perhaps not so well known but is the home to many good stories. It is said that Norwegian-born Erik the Red left neighboring Iceland and set out in ships to find a land rumored to lie to the northwest. After settling there, he named the land, Greenland, supposedly in the hope that the pleasant name would attract settlers.

Today Greenland has attracted our reindeer, and they are soaring over the very large land on the way to Canada and the United States, which will make up the second leg of the Around-the-World Marathon.

Check back tomorrow when the deer make their way over much of North America!