Long Beach Breeze
Long Beach residents can spread some holiday cheer while they burn off some calories ahead of Christmas at the annual Fred Walker Memorial Jingle Bells 5K on Saturday, December 7. The race is presented by the Coast Cares Foundation, with timing provided by the Gulf Coast Running Club.
The Long Beach Town Green will mark the start of both a 5K and a one-mile fun run, with the 5k beginning at 8 a.m. and the fun run starting at 8:15 a.m.
This year’s event will support the Coast Cares Scholarship Funds. Also at the event, the Long Beach High School baseball team will partner with the U.S. Marine Corp Toys for Tots efforts. Participants are asked (but not required) to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate. The Batman Animal Rescue Foundation will also be collecting donations of pet food, litter, blankets and monetary donations to assist in the foundation’s efforts.
Costumes are encouraged, and a costume contest will be a part of the morning’s fun. Pet owners are invited to enter their pets in a pet costume contest, as well, with the entry fee being donated to the Batman Animal Rescue Foundation.
Pre-registration is available online, with T-shirts guaranteed to registered runners. The cost to register for the 5K is $25 for adults ages 18 and older, and $15 for children and students under 18. Registration for the fun run is $15.
Medals/trophies will be awarded to those who place overall and within age groups.
The Jingle Bells 5K, presented by the Coast Cares Foundation, started when the Gulf Coast Substance Abuse Task Force held a race almost two decades ago to raise funds for its mission. The Force was formed by former Long Beach Alderman, School Board trustee and area businessman Fred Walker, in whose memory the present-day race is named. CCF was formed to continue the race when the task force folded after Walker’s death in 2016.
To register, visit www.gulfcoastrunningclub.org. For more information, contact Race Director Leonard Vergunst at director@gulfcoastrunningclub.org or 228-380-7037 or email Angie or Jennifer at CoastCaresMS@gmail.com.
