The Jolly Jogger

By James DeBord, New York, New York

Wouldn't you be just a little surprised if you saw Santa Claus jogging down the road? That's exactly the sight motorists behold if they drive down Lincoln Highway through the village of Paradise, Pennsylvania.

The man in red is Ronald "Ike" Eichelberger, 71, a retired crane operator, also known in this Amish Country community as "The Jogging Santa." Ike became an avid runner in the early 1980s, when he had a black beard. Eventually his beard turned white. "Children and even some adults began asking me if I was Santa Claus," says Ike.

So many people told him how happy they were to see Santa, he decided to play the part 365 days a year, even on his daily three-and-a-half-mile jog. "I have red and white Santa jogging outfits for both summer and winter," Ike says. The Santa suit includes a belt for carrying candy canes and lollipops for the kids he meets, as well a notebook for writing down their Christmas wishes.

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For those few who don't believe in Santa, "I tell them to just look at the smiles on the faces of the people who stop to say hello or who beep and wave," Ike says. He came from a broken home, and bringing others the happiness he missed out on growing up gives what he does extra meaning. "Making just one person feel good makes it worthwhile."

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