Story by Carol Pappas
Submitted Photos
Pell City Rotarians are off and running with their plans to make the 2026 Jingle Bell Run the biggest, brightest, best one yet on Dec. 12 at Lakeside Park.
Now marking its fourth year, the Jingle Bell 5K, 10K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk has emerged as a growing regional contest, drawing runners from all over the state and beyond to its picturesque course through the park on the banks of Logan Martin Lake. It has become a community-wide holiday season tradition for the whole family and each year brings more and more incentives for runners to add to the excitement building around it. It is a run that makes a difference in people’s lives, benefiting worthwhile organizations throughout the community and has already raised well over $100,000 for the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, The Arc of St. Clair County, Children’s Place Child Advocacy Center, Ann’s New Life and The WellHouse.
This year, they are running to make a difference for local veterans. The proceeds will go to help build an impressive working, handicapped accessible garden for veterans at the Col. Robert L. Howard Veterans Home — complete with an outdoor area with patio and pergola, water feature, flowers and plants.
Gardening at the Veterans Home is more than a pastime – it provides purpose, peace and connection, said Director Hiliary Hardwick. “By creating raised planter beds, an herb garden and a beautiful flower garden with water features, we will offer veterans of all mobility levels a place to grow, gather and thrive.
The 5K and 10K race starts at 8 a.m., and the 1-mile fun run/walk begins at 10 a.m. Register at runsignup.com by Nov. 30, and the cost for the 5K and Fun Run/Walk is $40, and the 10K is $50. After Nov. 30, each registration goes up to $45 for 5K and Fun Run/Walk and $55 for 10K.
Fees include a race T-shirt and swag bag, but registrants must submit all registration info by Nov. 30 to guarantee a T-shirt and swag bag.
Cash awards are:
- 5K – 1st place male/female $300; 2nd place male/female $200; 3rd place male/female $100
- 10K – 1st place male/female $400; 2nd place male / female $300; 3rd place male/female $200
Medal awards go to:
- 5K/ 0K – Top 3 male and female contestants in age groups 0-14; 15-20; 21-30; 31-40; 41-50; 51-60; 61-70; & 71+
Other awards will be given to best costumed runners and teams registering the most members. And, of course, the guest of honor will be Santa Claus from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
New this year is the “12 Days of Christmas” giveaway with major prizes awarded on Pell City Rotary Club’s Facebook page starting Dec. 1 and announcing prizes each day until the race. “The Grand Prize will be awarded the day of the race. Your registration is your raffle ticket, so sign up early to increase your chances of winning,” said Jingle Bell Chairman Whitney Bateman.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our community to come together for a good cause and make a difference for our veterans who have sacrificed so much in service to our country,” she said. “There are so many ways you can participate – as a runner, a walker, a sponsor or a donor – and we hope you will join us as we run to make a real difference.”
Race Day Agenda
- 7 a.m.-7:45 a.m. – Registration and Packet Pickup
- 8 a.m. – Opening ceremony and Start of 5K &10K Races
- 9:30 a.m. – 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk begins
- 10 a.m. – Awards Ceremony
Can’t Make It, But Want to Support?
That’s easy. Just go to runsignup.com and select the donate button. No contribution is too small.
