Siegfried Fischbacher, left, and Roy Horn cross the finish line for the one-mile Kris Kringle Jingle run Saturday in downtown Las Vegas. Photo by Jane Kalinowsky.

No quitter, Roy Horn delivered an early Christmas miracle Saturday. Considered clinically dead from tiger bites little more than three years ago, the German illusionist left no doubt about his iron-willed determination to defy all odds.

Dressed in a Santa Claus suit and accompanied by Siegfried Fischbacher, Horn walked the entire mile course of the Kris Kringle Jingle, a side event to the 5K Great Santa Run and today's New Las Vegas Marathon.

It took Horn one hour and 40 minutes, and just before reaching the finish line, he tossed aside his cane for the final steps.

"It was the farthest he had walked since his rehabilitation had begun," said Siegfried & Roy spokesman David Kirvin.

Many of the runners who had finished their races stayed to cheer for Horn, 62.

"He wanted to prove to himself and others who doubt their ability to accomplish something that anything is possible," said Kirvin.

"He also talked about how inspiring Opportunity Village is and what they do. And that was part of his inspiration to do this for their event."

Several thousand dressed as Santa at the Fremont Street Experience in an effort to break the record for the largest such Santa gathering set in Liverpool, England.

THE GILLEY'S QUESTION

The line to enter Gilley's began forming before the doors opened at 5 p.m. Friday.

By 11 p.m. a river of humanity stretched a country mile through the New Frontier, coursing around rows of slot machines.

After the 650 capacity of Gilley's quickly maxed out, general manager Larry Black went down the line, apologizing for the wait, up to three hours for some, and explaining that many would not make it inside.

"A lady came up to me and said she stood in line for hours just to get a T-shirt and prove to her mother, who went to the original in Houston, that she made it into Gilley's in Vegas. Two and three generations know Gilley's."

No event packs the place like the 10-day National Finals Rodeo, and you never know who's going to show up to mingle with the rodeo crowd.

This year's drop-ins included Big & Rich, Bill Engval, Cowboy Troy, Joe Nichols, who hit No. 1 last year with "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off," and former Dallas Cowboy Walt Garrison. They're still talking about Toby Keith's surprise performance at Gilley's two years ago.

But Gilley's status is the big buzz this year. Will it be in existence a year from now?

New Frontier owner Phil Ruffin, who also owns Gilley's, has yet to announce whether he will raze the hotel-casino and start from scratch or incorporate elements of the property into the new project.

If Black knows, he isn't saying. "I know I haven't started looking for a job."

While Ruffin's plans for the New Frontier's rebirth remain under his hat, it's no secret that former Gilley's GM Stoney Gray has a megaclub in the works. Word is it's going into a well-known property.

SIGHTINGS

Las Vegas lounge legend Keely Smith, bringing down the house at Jazz at the Church on Friday, during a reunion with Bobby Morris, the original drummer with Smith and Louis Prima. She received a "Keely Smith Day" proclamation from Mayor Oscar Goodman and sang "Embraceable You," "You Go to My Head" and "Old Black Magic." Morris presents jazz at the club, at Third and Bridger, every Friday. ... Baseball Hall of Famer Rich "Goose" Gossage, in the NFR crowd. ... Jeff Foxworthy, taking in V--The Ultimate Variety Show (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood) on Friday with family and friends. ... Fake snowflakes, falling at Fashion Show mall on Saturday. Santa and his helpers were singing "Let It Snow" during the faux miniblizzard. ... Vinnie Paul of the rock band Pantera, at Carrot Top's show (Luxor) on Friday. ... "Nip/Tuck" star Kelly Carlson, trying the seared Kobe and fruit sake Friday at Social House (Treasure Island).

THE PUNCH LINE

"We tried to book Wesley Snipes for the show tonight, but he was already booked." -- Jay Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.