2:11 p.m., Dec. 2, 2010----Members of the University community should be aware the fifth annual Reindeer Run and Romp, which includes a 5-kilometer course through parts of the campus, will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3. Academy Street, between Delaware Avenue and Main Street, will be closed from 4-9 p.m.

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The run also will alter UD shuttle bus operations that afternoon and evening. Academy Street from Delaware Avenue to Waterworks Lane will be closed intermittently between 6 and 7:30 p.m. There also will be temporary closings on Courtney Street and delays on Chapel Street and Wyoming Road during those times.

The following routes will be affected:

-- Chapel Street/Wyoming Road, operations terminate at Smith Overpass at 5:54 pm.;
-- South Campus, operations terminate at Smith Overpass at 5:48 pm.;
-- Laird Campus, after 5:40 pm, will follow Paper Mill Rd/West Campus Route, passing Rodney and Dickinson, traveling on Elkton Road to Park Place, ending at Smith Overpass Northbound, not servicing Academy Street;
-- Evening 1 will not service Academy Street until after 7:30 pm.; and
-- Evening 2 will start at Smith Overpass traveling to Elkton Road, back to Smith Overpass northbound by way of Park Place, and from Smith northbound, the bus will go directly to Cleveland Avenue followed by South Chapel Street, not servicing Perkins, 163 Elkton Rd. and Amstel Avenue.

The Reindeer Run and Romp, which is sponsored by Bank of New York Mellon and supported by Gore Running Wear, benefits Special Olympics Delaware and is held in conjunction with the city of Newark's Winterfest celebration.

The course features a full loop beginning at Academy Street and Delaware Avenue, proceeding south on Academy Street, left onto Courtney, left onto South Chapel, immediate right onto Wyoming, right through the parking lot of the UD Early Learning Center, right onto the James F. Hall Trail and returning to Academy. The romp will follow the same course as the run.

An unusual feature of the event is a luminary-lit course to guide the participants, along with live holiday entertainment. Employees from Bank of New York Mellon will join several University of Delaware groups and community organizations to line the course providing encouragement.

The entry fee for runners and walkers is $20 for pre-registered participants, $25 day-of and includes a long-sleeve event T-shirt, discount coupons for Main Street merchants and post-event refreshments. For details and to register, see the Special Olympics Delaware website.

Participants in the event are being encouraged to donate a canned good in support of Winterfest's efforts to support the Ancient Order of Hibernia's food drive. Organizers anticipate more than 800 participants.