There was no snow or reindeer, but the Santa Shuffle went off without a hitch Saturday in West Leechburg.
The 5K/one-mile foot race, hosted by the nonprofit Semper Gratus, was expected to raise $15,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Participants, many in holiday-themed costumes, stepped off at 9 a.m. at the West Leechburg Firemen’s Recreation Hall along Gosser Street.
Ian Coyle, founder and president of Semper Gratus — Latin for “always grateful” — said supporters have remained ardent despite the pandemic.
Hand sanitizer was placed along the course.
Later in the day, the firehall hosted a Santa Shuffle dance, which honored the late Chrystal Dawn Fry. Fry died this year from complications of acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood.
