NatNews

Every year, runners throughout the Dallas metroplex gather together at White Rock Lake on New Year’s Eve morning for an event that benefits Marathon Kids, a not-for-profit organization that seeks to help kids gain more confidence in their abilities and pave paths to healthier lifestyles.

The idea for the event sparked back in 2004 when local runner Don Hunter ran his first marathon—what was then called the Dallas White Rock Marathon.

“My enthusiasm post-race led me to wish for one last race before year’s end, but there were no official races on New Year’s Eve,” he said. “So, I enlisted a few running buddies, and the first Loop-the-Lake Run was born.”

Two years later, Hunter decided to make the run around the lake an annual tradition that would raise funds for a charitable cause that was meaningful to him.

“In 2006, it occurred to me that we runners could have fun at the end of the year and benefit other people at the same time,” he said. “Since I have always struggled with obesity, especially as a child, I wanted to do something that would help children who were like me.”

He teamed up with Beth Crider, another avid runner in the area, and they gave away T-shirts to everyone who made a donation. They raised $1,300 in 2006, all of which was given to Marathon Kids. This year, Hunter expects approximately 500 runners to participate and hopes to raise at least $25,000. For many local runners, the Loop-the-Lake Run has become a highlight of their New Year’s celebrations.

“It’s a great way to wrap up the year with miles with friends,” Dallas resident and White Rock Running Co-op admin Julie Lanaux said. “And you see runners from all over Dallas and a variety of running groups. Everyone comes together to celebrate a year of running with a loop at our favorite lake.”

You can register for the Loop-the-Lake Run on the foundation’s website. After the run, which starts and ends at White Rock Alehouse & Brewery, participants can enjoy breakfast tacos, coffee, snacks, beverages for sale, and an array of prizes from Luke’s Locker, Tito’s, the Texas Rangers, Maya’s Modern Mediterranean, and more. Donations are not required to run, and you are not required to run if you simply wish to donate. Regardless of how you choose to be involved, Hunter encourages as many people as possible to take part in the event.

“It’s a chance for all of us to celebrate another year of being happy and healthy enough to run and train together,” he said. “It’s also a chance to help young people all across the Dallas community to become healthy future runners.”

Created in 1912, Nabisco’s Oreos were once considered copycats of Sunshine Biscuits’ Hydrox cookie, which launched in 1908.

On Saturday evening, countdowns throughout the nation will take place as people at home and partygoers alike ring in the new year.

For many individuals, New Year’s Eve is an enjoyable night to celebrate in lavish and extensively planned ways. For others, including Dallas resident Elizabeth Cruz, it’s a night that is hyped up a bit too much and is more pleasant when spent in less crowded settings.

“I think it’s overrated,” she said. “At least it’s not my thing to go out on New Year’s Eve. Bars that normally don’t have covers suddenly have covers, and all you get is a cheap glass of champagne right before midnight. [I’d rather] have a small house party with friends, good food, nice wine, and champagne. Extra points for dressing up fancy to sit in the living room!”

Dallas resident Alexis Derrow, however, prefers to go all out to end the year.

“I love to celebrate big,” she said. “I think it’s an opportunity to reflect on the old year and reset on the new—to think about what your goals are and if you met them. Were you happy, and if not, what changes do you need to make to feel fulfilled? New Year’s is an opportunity to do that.”

For Dallas-area resident Josh Odegard, the end-of-year holiday allows him to do one of his favorite things—spend time with his people all at once.

“I love New Year’s Eve because that’s the night of the year that I get to hang out with the most amount of friends all together,” he said. “I love being around friends, and for me, the more the merrier. I don’t really care where the group goes, as long as we’re all out together. We usually end up going to a dive bar or a bar at The Shops at Legacy, but I’m just as happy at either one.”

While Odegard doesn’t have a preference of location of where he celebrates, he said he typically avoids scenes that will force him to spend a superfluous amount of money.

“The only places I really don’t like going for New Year’s Eve are the fancy hotel parties that charge $100+ to get in,” he said. “They promise an open bar for 2–3 hours, but it takes 30 minutes to get a drink, so you’re paying $25–$50 per drink, unless you just want to stand in line all night—and they’re usually just sugary margaritas or bottled beer.”

Regardless of how one opts to spend the holiday and his or her money, many people enjoy being able to end one year and begin another with the people who mean the most to them.

“My perfect New Year’s Eve is with everyone I like,” Derrow said. “In Chicago, I used to host a party, and people would party hop. It was awesome because I truly got to be with everyone I liked. A lot of good friends were made at those parties when worlds collided.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

NatNews was able to cheer on the best tree, the Grinch, and Mac at the Jingle Bell Run last week

Monday, December 26: Boxing Day + Kwanzaa begins
Wednesday, December 28: National Call a Friend Day
Thursday, December 29: After-Hours Cocktail Tour of the Samurai Collection
Friday, December 30: Free ladies boxercise class at Dallas Fight Club
Saturday, December 31: 19th annual Loop-the-Lake Run