Runners braved biting winds and cold temperatures in Christmas attire Saturday for the third-annual Reindeer Romp.

The top three female and male finishers received medals. Awards were also given to the top male and female finisher in each age group.

The top male runner was Tony Johnson with a time of 17:40 in the 5K run. Johnson also set the course record. Eric Jordan finished second overall in the male category with a time of 21:52. Dallas County High School student Austin Williams finished third with a time of 23:15.

The top female runner was Valerie Chittom with a time of 25:03.  Mary Beth Fraser finished second overall for the females with a time of 25:18. Tara Jones finished third overall for the females with a time of 26:10.

The race also handed out an award for the runner that most closely predicted his or her time. The only catch was that runners couldn’t wear a timing device. Eric Jordon predicted his time within 22 seconds and finished with a time of 21:52.

A total of 70 runners registered.

The run wasn’t only about being athletic.

Event organizer Bill Potter said proceeds benefited the Christian Outreach Alliance Food Pantry. Selma CrossFit and Honda Lock gathered more than 600 pounds of food prior to the event for the food pantry. In total, the event gathered 800 pounds of food for the pantry and over $1,300.

“When we first threw the race together, we had to decide who to benefit from it to have a cause and we decided that the food pantry would be a good cause at this time of the year,” Potter said.

Some of the runners bundled up to stay warm during the run, but others dressed in full Christmas regalia. Craig Whitaker wore a Santa suit that included six-pack abs and a mask. Whitaker won the best holiday outfit in the adult group. He called his outfit “Super Santa.”  Abby Pitts won the best holiday outfit in the 14-and-under category.

The first race hosted by Potter and the committee of organizers actually was in October, but after a participant’s suggestion, the group decided to switch to a Christmas run.

“We started and did one in October and somebody asked ‘well why don’t you do a Christmas run, a Tinker Bell run,” Potter said. “So, we thought it was a good idea and decided to do it.”