Saturday’s event started and finished at Seafarers Memorial Park, with participants looping around Cap Sante Marina on a flat, dry, scenic 5K course tailored for serious runners and families out for a holiday jog.

Chad Sage, an assistant principal at Centennial Elementary in Mount Vernon, and Angie Sage, who works in Anacortes’ Island Health’s cardiopulmonary department, rely on a core team of volunteers and sponsors to keep the race smooth, safe and welcoming, the duo said.

The morning began with the Reindeer Dash, an 800-yard sprint for young children that drew about 34 enthusiastic participants, each chasing Quinn Moroney, the lead reindeer from the Anacortes High School cross country team.

Parents and friends lined the course with cameras and hot cocoa in hand as the kids charged down the waterfront before the main 5K start.

At the finish, youngsters collected festive goodies and plenty of high-fives from costumed volunteers and high school athletes.

Of note, the winning dashers were Timothy Blee and Rae Abel.

At 9 a.m., more than 500 registered and attired Santas surged away from the start line, complete with red suits, hats and beards provided as part of each entry.

The course featured a signature “Egg Nog Aid Station” at the north turnaround in place of water, offering runners a choice of a holiday-themed sip as they pushed toward the finish.

Results were tracked by radio-frequency identification chip timing, with top overall finishers recognized at the post-race awards ceremony — and overall winners earning the race’s signature prize: a half gallon of eggnog, reserved for those who completed the course in full Santa regalia.

Runners were motivated to beat the “elves,” Ashley Becerra and Megan Kennedy who started the course six minutes after the start.

Becerra and Kennedy are members of the Anacortes High School cross country team, and Kennedy won this year’s Anacortes Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day.

If a runner beat the elves, they received a wristband commemorating their accomplishment.

This year’s first overall finisher and top male runner was Owen Kennedy, 17, who crossed the finish in 18:13, narrowly edging his friend and high school classmate, 15-year-old Rowan Morgenthaler, at 18:14.

Third place went to 28-year-old Adam Piendel in 18:30.

On the women’s side, Galina Free, 49, of La Conner, claimed the overall female title, with Anacortes nurse practitioner Janelle Peranteau, 38, taking second, and Bellingham nursing student Janelle Iversen — who won the 5K at September’s Anacortes Half Marathon/5K event — finishing third.

Behind the scenes, an estimated 25 to 30 student and parent volunteers from the Anacortes High School cross country and track teams staffed check-in, directed runners on course and cheered from the finish line.

Island Health’s cardiorespiratory clinic added extra flair by providing a custom-built “Santa Sleigh,” crafted by respiratory therapist Rob Down and pulled by a spirited crew that included family and clinic staff.

In the meantime, Dane Good Coffee’s trailer sold hot drinks and treats. According to Chad Sage, the Santa Run typically nets about $4,000 to support the high school’s running programs.

Runner’s times and finishing statistics can be viewed at chronokeep.com.