5th Bridge is hosting the annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk on Saturday morning. This year, proceeds go to the Service Learning Initiative of Northfield Public Schools. The program was written up on page 6 of the MN Dept. of Education’s Service Learning Advocate, October ’07 issue (PDF).
Here are the photo album slideshows from 2005-06.
Jingle Bell Run 2006 (album)
Jingle Bell Run 2005 (album)
It would be great if the organizers of all the fun runs could get together and share e-mail lists and create a “Grand Prix” list of races for the year so we can cross-promote them at all our events.
The NDDC and Chamber could use the events to create special runners’ packages, with coupons, discounts, ticket offers for plays and other deals to lure out-of-town participants and keep runners around after they cross the finish line.
I talked to some participants who came from the Cities for the Rotary Turkey Day Run and they said they’d love to have other things to do on their trips for the races.
We have the Jingle Bell Run, the Turkey Day Run, the Skiless Skidaddle, the Halloween Fall Classic…are there more? Perhaps the winners could earn “points” toward an annual Grand Prix championship. Kids could earn points for participating to encourage fitness — and maybe earn movie tickets or a book or prize.
The groups still would run the events individually, but sharing promotion and business opportunities could make everyone a winner.
Top runners in Saturday’s Jingle Bell Run:
WOMEN:
1st: Michaela McLaughlin 21.29
2nd: Courtney Rustad 22.05
MEN:
1st: Nathan Swenson 18.46
2nd: Andy Clark 18.55