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Jack Burnett - Late to the run, so just watching and cheering the others on

Although he had been fully prepared to join in the Gingerbread Run, Jack had unfortunately woken up late and missed the start of the race. He turned in the toy he had brought in order to participate, but decided not to embarrass himself by going in after everyone else was already far into the course. Instead, he went over to stand by the sidelines and watch as a spectator. Maybe he would see someone he recognized participating.

It was probably just as well that the teen hadn't made it in time to join the race because he likely would have attempted to join powered up with his sailor uniform hidden under layers of clothes. He wasn't one to cheat, but how could it be called cheating if powering up wasn't mentioned in the rules? Besides, he didn't even know what the winner of the race won. He just liked to show off. Showing off mentally was more his thing than physically, though, so although he knew how to pace himself and had fairly good stamina, he wasn't too upset about having missed his opportunity to compete.

There were some very interesting, creative obstacles set up for the course and Jack admired them while he tried to spot where the majority of the racers were currently located on the track. There was the 'peppermint forest' with 'peppermint trees' and while he could guess they were painted, he was really curious as to how they managed to make them smell so strongly of peppermint. Perhaps they'd mixed the herb with the paint, but wouldn't the smell of the paint have overpowered it? Or maybe they painted on a layer of scented oil on top of the paint. Whatever the case, they'd really gone all-out for a course that was just meant to be run through. The whole scene looked like part of a Candyland board game come to life. Jack could only imagine what the other areas would look like.

Soon he came across some place called Gumdrop Way dotted with giant gumdrops. A river dyed white had been labeled, 'The Milky Way', causing Jack to snort. He wondered what they must have put in there to make it look white. It couldn't have been toxic, especially because it seemed like the racers had the possibility of falling in. If they were able to use the guiding gumdrops in the stream to make their way across, there didn't seem any need to get wet.

Gumdrop Way was where the red-headed teen saw most of the participants in the run had reached. At the sight of pink hair, Jack was astonished to recognize Caelum and called out to cheer him on. His peer's running start reminded him of when he charged at Jack to knock him into the poinsettia display at the botanical garden and Jack began to wonder just how used to physical activity like this Caelum was. It took him a bit, but the young man was able to make it across without falling into the milky-colored water. It appeared the gumdrops were as springy as they looked.

"WHOO! Nice going, Cae!" He called, pumping a fist with his other hand cupped over his mouth to carry his voice. It wasn't long before another familiar head of hair came into view, though. From their bright, scarlet red hair color, Jack recognized Myles and his older brother, Jeremy the police officer. He laughed and yelled encouragement at them as well, though was amused to note that Jeremy seemed to be taking the race a heck of a lot more seriously than his younger sibling. Neither fell into the 'Milky Way', though, causing Jack to applaud them.

"Way to go, Fischers!" the teen bellowed, laughing.

The dastardly milk river seems to be an obstacle of the past, allowing the racers to move away from the giant, colorful gumdrops. The next section of the course is one of the most impressive; the park you know looks nothing like the carefully sculpted ice cream slopes ahead. You have reached the Mudslide Slopes!

These slopes are shaped like giant mounts of chocolate ice cream. Easily two stories high, it's a climb just to reach the top--and it's chilly, too! Anyone unfortunate enough to have fallen into the Milky Way is probably regretting their poor footing! But there's no time to lament; a sign along the path instructs, 'Grab a waffle sled and speed down the slopes, be careful of the bends and chocolate rocks!'

Sleds painted to resemble waffles adorned the top of the slope; they were each decorated a little differently--some had molding or painting like whipped cream, fruit or chocolates. They weren't so different that any one looked like it had a distinct advantage.

Don't be too picky, though--none are so different that any one looks like it has a distinct advantage. This is still a race, so make the best of it! And watch out for the 'Rocky Road' obstacles! Chunks of foam chocolate speckle the course. Hitting one probably won't hurt, but it will slow you down!

Getting caught up unless I pass out on my desk

Mei


Breana

Gigi Gennaro (competing)

Gigi grit her teeth as the next obstacle rose above the rest of the park. Seriously, mountain-climbing? What kind of ‘run’ was this? Though the ice-cream mountains did look pretty neat, someone had put in a lot of effort. It was genuinely cold up here, and she wondered how the organisers had set that up. Hopefully they were putting at least as much money into the charity itself as into their race track.

At least the jog down would be easy, she thought, as she made it to the peak. She read the instructions on the sign, and groaned. Reluctantly, she selected a waffle and perched awkwardly on it, again regretting her choice of clothing, and wishing mildly nasty misfortunes on her aunt.

She wobbled as she pushed off, and right from the start it was a bad run. She just couldn’t steer the thing! She was sure the strawberry decoration was getting in the way. At first it would only slide a few feet at a time before grinding to a halt. Then when she finally got it going, it swerved out of control, zigzagging down the mountain with a mind of its own – and apparently her waffle was determined to bounce her off every single chocolate rock available. So this is what it felt like to be inside a pinball machine.


1 - 1 = 0
4 + 1 = 5
2 – 1 = 1
(Total = 6)

Pat O'Ryan - Not the best but not the worst. Woooo

It was a good thing Pat had slowed to a fast jog after going all out crossing the Gumdrop Way path thing or he would have fallen on his face in surprise when he got a load of the next obstacle, giant ice cream slops. Seriously, how the hell did they make them? Shaking off his surprise Pat put on a little speed and scooped up the first sled he saw, a simple one painted to look like it was made of candy canes, appropriate since he had such a hard time in the peppermint forest.

With a shout of excitement Pat took a running leap and away he went. The first few turns, the bends and dodging the 'rocks', were a bit harry but he got the hang of it after a bit. He wasn't the fastest by any means but he was having a hell of a time. The redhead almost didn't want it to end. "Yeeeee Haaaaa!"

Third Roll: 3,2
Third Total: 3+1=4


Second Roll: 1,1
Second Total: 1+2=3
First Roll: 1,1
First Total: 1-1=0

Grand Total: 0+3+4=7

Caelum Dawson || Competing

Once again, Caelum was left to ponder just how in the world they managed to get such intricate obstacles for the race. If he were starved of food or lacking sleep, he would've been convinced the ice cream slopes before him were real. Just as he reached out to grab one of the waffle sleds, he heard his name carried across the racers, and looked over to see Jack, of all people, cheering him on.

"Hi Jack!" he called over.

His face brightened to a smile and he waved back, but not before realizing if he remained distracted any longer, he'd certainly lose. Gearing to go, Caelum dropped one of the sleds down to his feet and then gave a good kick. Down the slope he soared, overtaking some of the other racers with this speed. He even managed to dodge the foam chocolates. As soon as he reached the bottom, he was back to his feet and hustling again to the next obstacle.


Total: 3
Total: 2
Total: 4

Kitomyx

Alerana Ikaros

Rana ran toward the next obstacle, eager to get through it. It turned out that somehow the race organizers had made a hill that looked - and felt - like a huge pile of ice cream. (Rana was vaguely tempted to see if it tasted like ice cream too, but decided that would be gross to try licking the ground, no matter what it actually was.) The stuff was cold and took effort to climb, so at first she thought that was the whole obstacle. Then she found the waffle-sleds. So it was a two-parter, was it? She didn't have time to think too much about what she was doing too much, so she just grabbed the closest sled, planted her butt in it, and pushed off down the slope.

These things went fast! She held on tight to the sides as she went zipping down the hill, her eyes on the slope ahead of her. When a lump of "chocolate" ended up in her path, she reflexively jerked to one side, sending her sled to one side and avoiding the obstacle. She grinned and tried leaning from side to side, back and forth, and found she could direct the sled to some degree. And she was getting past some of the other sledders! She whooped in excitement, then leaned forward for more speed.

2, 2, 4

Mudslide slopes! And-- sledding. Jada's eyes widened in horror and she paused, taking a deep breath. She hated sledding, hated it so much. She'd never been able to explain it. It wasn't the height- and it certainly wasn't the speed, she adored going fast.

But the instructions were clear- Grab a waffle sled and speed down the slopes, be careful of the bends and chocolate rocks! Someone bumped her, running by, and it jerked her to attention, realizing she had put herself behind.

The waffle she grabbed was covered in strawberries, and little rainbow candies, and really was adorable. Unfortunately, due to her hesitant start, she would have some ground to catch up on.

3 + 0 = 3
1 + 1 = 2
4 - 1 = 3