New York, November 30, 2018— The 31st annual NYRR Jingle Bell Jog (5K) will kick off New York Road Runners’ (NYRR) holiday running season on Saturday, December 1, with over 5,000 runners of all ages participating including more than 800 youth runners participating in the Rising New York Road Runners youth runs. The festive family event takes place in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Entry to the youth runs and fitness activities are free while all proceeds from the adult race benefit NYRR’s free year-round youth programs and events serving nearly 250,000 students across the country including 125,000 from New York City (approximately 19,000 of those from Brooklyn).

“We are thrilled that New York Road Runners will once again usher in the holiday season in beautiful Prospect Park with the 31st running of the NYRR Jingle Bell Jog,” said Rachel Pratt, senior vice president of youth & community services for NYRR. “This race raises funds allowing 125,000 Rising New York Road Runners in New York City to develop active and healthy lifestyles.”

This year’s NYRR Jingle Bell Jog (5K) runners will receive festive New Balance reversible hats. The cheerful sounds of the holidays will fill Prospect Park as runners in all events will also receive jingle bells for their sneakers and enjoy hot chocolate and holiday-themed bagels after crossing the finish line.

The youth events range from non-competitive, untimed shorter-distance races for younger runners, through timed, longer distances for those interested in friendly competition. Many participants In Saturday’s youth runs are part of Rising New York Road Runners, NYRR’s flagship youth fitness program available at no cost to schools across New York City’s five boroughs and nationwide. Rising New York Road Runners is designed to provide students with access to free fitness programming and inspire the next generation of runners.

Earlier this week, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams hosted a group of students at Brooklyn Borough Hall and commended them for taking on the challenge of running the 1-mile youth race on Saturday in Prospect Park. The students, from M.S. 340 in Prospect Heights, have been participants in Rising New York Road Runners for the past three years and were delighted to meet and speak with Mr. Adams.

“Running can be such a valuable part of a young person’s life, and New York Road Runners helps so many get a great start through races like the Jingle Bell Jog,” said Eric Adams, Brooklyn borough president. “If you start the race right, you’ll end it right, and the best way to do it is to be healthy.”

Rising New York Road Runners is supported by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the Premier Partner of NYRR and NYRR youth programs and the title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon; New Balance, the Official Athletic Footwear and Apparel Partner of NYRR; and the New Balance Foundation.

For more information about the NYRR Jingle Bell Jog (5K) and Rising New York Road Runners at the Jingle Bell Jog, please visit the event pages here and here. Please note that entry to the NYRR Jingle Bell Jog (5K) is sold out and registration for the youth races is near capacity, but there’s still plenty of room for spectators to cheer!

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

In 2018, NYRR is celebrating 60 years of helping and inspiring people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, 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 www.nyrr.org.