At least 75 people will hop out of bed early Saturday morning and report for the 14th annual running of the Jingle Bell Jog.
“We have that many registered so far,” said Sunny Shreeve, Thrive Allen County program director. “I expect Saturday morning we’ll have more.”
The jog is open to runners for a 5-kilometer cruise along the route followed during the Charlie Melvin Mad Bomber Run in July, starting near the post office on West Street and winding through downtown, up Cottonwood Street, a turn-about in Highland Cemetery and ending at the intersection of Jackson and Washington avenues. Those not eager to put out so much effort may participate in a 3-kilometer walk.
Each event starts at 8 a.m.
Registration will be done on Saturday morning for those who haven’t signed up in advance, starting at 7:30 at the bandstand on the northwest corner of the courthouse lawn, Shreeve said.
Participants registered ahead of time should be downtown by 7:45, “and they should stretch real well so they don’t pull any muscles,” said Becky Carlson, a physical education instructor in USD 257.
With temperatures at daybreak Saturday expected to be in the 20s, Carlson recommended coverings for ears and mouth, to keep cold air out, and that runners would be well advised to dress so they could shed layers and be comfortable running.
Shreeve said walkers and runners were invited to the Thrive office, 12 W. Jackson Ave., for hot chocolate and gingerbread afterward.
