Over 5,000 runners of all ages will participate, with proceeds benefiting NYRR’s free youth running programs in schools across New York City
New York, November 28, 2016 - Brooklyn’s Jingle Bell Jog and Reindeer Run will kick off New York Road Runners’ holiday running season on Saturday, December 3, 2016. Over 5,000 runners of all ages will participate, with proceeds benefiting NYRR’s free, year-round youth running programs and events that serve more than 215,000 youth across the United States, including 31,000 in Brooklyn.
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"Brooklyn was the birthplace of NYRR’s youth running programs back in in 1999 and we continue to serve the borough today with free programs and initiatives. The funds raised through the Jingle Bell Jog will directly benefit 115,000 young people across New York City’s five boroughs," said Michael Rodgers, vice president of development and philanthropy, New York Road Runners. "These family-friendly events make fitness fun and highlight the importance of starting healthy lifestyles early in life. We look forward to ushering in the holiday season with runners of all ages and abilities in beautiful Prospect Park."
This year’s Jingle Bell Jog runners will receive festive gloves to stay warm as they take on the four-mile race course, while youngsters participating in the Reindeer Run will receive antler headbands. Kids ages 7-12 will run a nearly three-quarter mile course while youngsters ages 2-6 will run shorter distances. The cheerful sounds of the holidays will fill Prospect Park as runners in both events will also receive jingle bells for their sneakers. After crossing the finish line, all runners can enjoy hot chocolate and holiday-themed bagels.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will be on hand to kick off the four-mile Jingle Bell Jog. In support of the many young people running in the event, he will host a group of students at Brooklyn Borough Hall this week from M.S. 598 in East Flatbush who participate in NYRR’s Young Runners program.
"Health is better than wealth, and I am committed to showing our young people how to get on the right track for a long and prosperous life," said Adams. "The Jingle Bell Jog and Reindeer Run is a great way to ring in the holiday season, all while enjoying the splendor of Prospect Park. Thanks to New York Road Runners for the focus on fitness for every New Yorker at every age."
A special guest at this year’s festive event will be two-time U.S. Olympian and three-time NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K champion Donn Cabral, who will inspire runners and spectators and also lead groups of youngsters to the finish line of the Reindeer Run. Cabral participated in NYRR’s 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Training Stipend Program, which provides financial awards to NYRR’s qualifying trial members.
Those in the giving spirit can donate $25 to NYRR’s free youth running programs to receive a fun elf hat to wear on race day. These donations allow NYRR to offer running shoes to deserving kids, and provide them with the access they need to run. Runners can donate at checkout for the Jingle Bell Jog registration online at nyrr.org. Registered runners can also donate during bib pickup.
Many runners participating in the Jingle Bell Jog and Reindeer Run are part of NYRR’s two largest youth running programs, NYRR Mighty Milers and NYRR Young Runners. These two programs, and a number of NYRR youth running programs, events, and resources are supported by NYRR’s Premier Partner, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon and Official Youth and Community Services Partner.
NYRR Mighty Milers is NYRR’s flagship youth running program, and one of the largest free youth running programs in the U.S. This program provides primarily pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students the opportunity to run during the school day and develop a love for physical fitness. Each Mighty Miler strives to run a total of 26.2-miles or more over the course of a school year, in effect running their own marathon of miles. At the close of the 2015-2016 school year, NYRR Mighty Milers reached more than 188,000 students in approximately 900 schools and community centers who collectively ran nearly six million miles over the school year.
NYRR Young Runners is an after-school program where kids learn to run distances up to four miles while training together as a team. At the close of the 2015-2016 school year, over 3,000 students in more than 100 schools throughout New York City’s five boroughs participated in this distance running program. Interested parties can learn more about NYRR youth running programs by clicking here or by emailing youthprograms.outreach@nyrr.org.
For more information about the Jingle Bell Jog and Reindeer Run, please visit the event pages here and here. Please note, entry to the Reindeer Run is full, but there is plenty of room for spectators to cheer!
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
Founded in 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, whose mission is to help and inspire people through running. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, youth running initiatives, school programs, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features 50,000 runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit NYRR.org.
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