The first annual Jingle Bell Jaunt was held before the Belmont Shore parade this year with great success. Gingerbread men, elves, reindeer and snowmen all took part in the run (as well as some humans). The run, founded by the Grunion Gazette, was put on to raise money for health and fitness programs at the Long Beach Education Foundation. Also, $500 will also be set aside for the Melody Ross scholarship foundation.
The event was a one mile jaunt around Second Street, with runners sporting Christmas costumes and jingle bells on their shoes. Children also got in on the act, with a shorter run chasing a running, community-action enthusiast Santa down the street. Santa was later quoted saying, “Man those kids were fast!”
To me, this is another great addition into the Long Beach community and one step forward in making it a more health conscious city to live in.