Jingly events for runners in December

Bells on horse-drawn sleighs are always popular this time of the year, at least in Vermont and Minnesota.

Maybe we don't have sleigh rides in Florida, but we do have jingle bells. And we're pretty sure we'll hear "Sleigh Ride" on the radio a few times this holiday season. 

Here are a couple of jingly  events to look forward to locally that can lift the spirit and do good in the right places. 

For you runners, consider these: 

The 2012 Jingle Bell Run/Walk® Bradenton is set for Dec. 7 on Old Main Street. Registration begins at 5 p.m., followed by the race at 7 p.m. 

Runners are invited to wear a holiday themed costume and tie jingle bells to their shoelaces for the 5 kilometer run. Proceeds benefit the Arthritis Foundation.

Here's a  link for more information:

http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1029370

Also coming right up is the Jingle 5K Run-Walk at Lakewood Ranch, with registration at 5 p.m. Dec. 21, followed by the run-walk at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Childrens Pediatric Unit at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The event starts in the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center parking lot.

For more information, call 941-358-5100.