SPECIAL COLUMN — The fourth annual “Super Mega” crossword contest, published in December’s “Puzzle Mania” section, received a record number of entries.

The challenge was to solve the 50 x 50-square puzzle by Sam Ezersky, then answer the question that was asked in two Across lines of the grid:

WHICH OF SANTA’S REINDEER IS THE ONLY / ONE MISSING FROM THIS PUZZLE’S CLUES?

The reindeer were found in the following clues:

49A — Dasher, e.g. (for the answer RUNNER)

89A — Cupid, to the Greeks (EROS)

162A — ___ Comet (HALLEY’S)

44D — Mountain range that’s home to Donner Pass (SIERRA NEVADA)

485D — Vixen or kit (FOX)

532D — “Blitzen” is the German word for it (LIGHTNING)

544D — Dancer Fred or Adele (ASTAIRE)

590D — Rudolph of “S.N.L.” (MAYA)

The only reindeer not named was PRANCER. That was the answer to the contest.

[See the answer grid for the Super Mega Crossword.]

By the deadline, we had received 10,426 entries, of which 10,257 were correct.

The winner, selected at random, is Jeung-Hoi Ha, of Jamesville, N.Y. The Times will send her a check for $1,000.