Chilly downtown Christmas fests held Saturday

Brock Ross stood in front of Master Sports on 1st Street in downtown Havre Saturday afternoon, ready to take part in the first Santa Run.

The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce had hoped for better weather for the inaugural run, but temperatures were below zero and with wind-chill, it felt like minus -25.

"With the wind from running, it will feel like 40 below," said one observer, ready to watch the runners.

That didn't deter Ross and a variety of others who showed up to run down 3rd Avenue from 1st Street to 9th Street and back.

"I'm out here to run and have a good time," said the Havre High School track and cross-country standout.

As required by Santa Run rules, he was wearing an elf suit. He had a sign on his back saying "I ate Santa's cookies."

As it turned out, Ross finished way ahead of the rest of the crowd, finishing in 9 minutes and 4 seconds.

"I was just running, not racing," he said. .

Debbie Callahan, the chamber's president who came up with the idea for the run, came in second.

People gave a variety of reasons for taking part in the cold-weather run.

"We're here to promote Timber Creek, our new assisted living facility," said Cherry Harwood.

Harwood and others from Timber Creek Village were dressed up in tropical Santa costumes.

"I'm going to walk," she said.

Others said they needed the exercise, running in the cold is fun, and they wanted to support the Chamber.

But Olivia Albrecht, 9 1/2, had a different story as her mother, Shauna Albrecht, Timber Creek Village's administrator, prepared to run with her.

"My mom said to," Olivia said.