JINGLE BELL JOG?

BP MARKOWITZ, NEW YORK ROAD RUNNERS ANNOUNCE NEW, FOUR-MILE "JINGLE BELL JOG" IN PROSPECT PARK DECEMBER 11

Runners Announces Four-Mile NYRR Jingle Jog in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

New race expected to raise more than $75,000 for students in the five boroughs

There's a new race on NewYork Road Runners' calendar. On Saturday, December 11, New Yorker's can take part in the NYRR Jingle Bell Jog--a four-mile race that will be an energizing antidote to the holiday shopping crowds, office parties, and endless feasting of the season. More importantly, this festive race is expected to raise more than $75,000 for health programs in NewYork City public schools.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz says, "For the NewYork Road Runners' inaugural Jingle Bell Jog, I can't think of a more perfect setting than Brooklyn's beautiful and iconic Prospect Park. The four-mile race will not only help runners burn off some of those holiday calories, but will also benefit our City's public school students and teach our kids that running can be part of a healthy lifestyle into adulthood."

Each race entry includes a long-sleeve technical shirt, jingle bells for runners' shoes, and seasonal post-run refreshments. Each entry will also allow one student to participate in NYRR's school-based youth health and fitness programs, so all runners can run (and jingle!) knowing that they are giving a child the gift of running this holiday season.

Running benefits kids in many ways," says NYRR Youth and Community Services Executive Director Cliff Sperber. "It makes them healthier and fitter while also teaching life lessons about goal-setting, perseverance, team building, and leadership. Our vision is to make running a part of every child's school day so we can help to provide a brighter future for an entire generation of children." Adds Sperber, "Our programs began in Red Hook, Brooklyn, in 1998 so it is entirely fitting that our first-ever race in support of our youth programs be held in the great borough of Brooklyn!"

NewYork Road Runners serves more 10,000 children in 84 Brooklyn schools via its Young Runners and Mighty Milers programs and through events that include Youth Jamborees and a Developmental Track & Field Series. For more information, visit www.nyrrf.org .

Headquartered in New York City, NewYork Road Runners is dedicated to advancing the sport of running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and meeting our community's needs. Our goal is to use the expertise acquired in our 52-year history to empower all people to live fitter, healthier lives through participation in our races, community events, instruction and training resources, and youth programs. Our races and other events draw more than 300,000 people each year from throughout NewYork's five boroughs. The ING NewYork City Marathon, NYRR's premier event, is the largest and most inclusive marathon in the world, attracting the world's top professional runners every year and raising more than $30 million for more than 190 charities in 2010. NYRR's running-based youth programs, which currently serve more than 100,000 children in hundreds of schools and community centers, promote children's health and fitness, character development, and personal achievement in underserved communities. For more information, visit www.nyrr.org .

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Photo by Kathryn Kirk:

NYRR Young Runners from I.S. 30 in Bay Ridge, surrounded by (center, back row): Cliff Sperber, executive director, NYRR Youth and Community Services and BP Markowitz; (first on left, back row): Callie Athanasakos, teacher and head coach, I.S. 30; and (last on right, back row): Liza Schneider, assistant coach, I.S. 30.