Joggers young and old will be running through the streets of Coquitlam Sunday to raise funds and collect food and toys for needy families this holiday season.
And you won't mistake them for regular Sunday joggers - they will be wearing Santa hats, felt antlers and some will even be sporting red, blinking Rudolph noses.
The first annual Jingle Bell Jog takes place Dec. 4, starting at Coquitlam Centre outside Zellers, and organizer Lorraine Davidson says people of all ages are welcome to join.
"The idea is to have some fun but also to help families," explained Davidson.
This year's event is sure to be a hit with the little ones; not only do the youngsters get a T-shirt and a pair of reindeer antlers but they only have to jog a 1-km route. The adult run is 5 km from the mall to Lafarge Lake and back, so just about anyone can take part and will get a T-shirt and a Santa hat for their troubles.
"It's a chance for families to do something physical before the holiday season begins," Davidson said.
The Coquitlam mom has had a lot of experience organizing races. She works for Race Headquarters, a Coquitlam business that does timing and results for races, and she has also organized runs on her own. She thought the Tri-Cities needed a winter run and wanted to give a boost to Share, as well. She teamed up with sponsors Coquitlam Centre and Runner's Den, then started getting the word out.
Registration costs $35 for adults (18 and older) and $30 for children and youth who do the 5-km jog; and for the 1-km, $25 for adults and $20 for children and youth. Fees include a technical T-shirt and a Santa hat for adults and a non-technical T-shirt and antlers for children and youth. Runners are encouraged to bring a food or toy donation to fill two Honda cars. Santa will also be there, as will Coquitlam Mounties and firefighters, and participants can enjoy refreshments, music and prizes.
Sign-up takes place Saturday at the Coquitlam Centre community booth from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. or on race day before 8:30 a.m. The adult run begins at 9 a.m. To volunteer, contact Davidson at 778-847-8463 or [email protected].
