HUNTINGTON -- The 2009 Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, starting at Pullman Square.

The event is sponsored by the West Virginia 5K Championship Race Committee, Marshall University Chapter of the American Medical Student Association and United Way of the River Cities. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Big Sandy Superstore Arena.

The festivities kick off at 9:45 a.m. with the "Let's Get Moving" one-mile kid's race. The event, for kids 12 and younger, is free. It will start in front of the 3rd Avenue Holiday Inn and head toward Fazoli's before coming back to the hotel. Each athlete who participates in the one-mile race will receive a T-shirt and a finisher medal.

The Jingle Bell 5K Run will begin at 10 a.m. in front of Pullman Square and head west on 3rd Avenue, turning right on 7th Street, then left on 5th Avenue to 20th Street and back on 3rd Avenue to the finish line in front of the Holiday Inn.

Awards also will be given to the walkers who complete the course, along with the runners.

The West Virginia 5K Race Committee also will be involved with the Jingle Bell Run and adding to the overall experience of the race.

"For the first time in Huntington, we will be able to send customized results to each and every participant in the race," said Pat Riley, West Virginia 5K Championship race director. "We will also be providing music, mile marker clocks and announcing the name of each runner as they cross the finish line."

The Jingle Bell Run is the first of three events in the first Huntington Winter Series presented by The Herald-Dispatch. The three-race series features a 5K, 5 Miler, and 10K run. Each race is designed to be a progression to the 10K that will be held on Feb. 28, 2010.

Runners can enter the entire series at the Jingle Bell Run, or enter and run each race separately. Runners will need to run all three races to be eligible for series awards. Walkers are welcomed and encouraged to participate in all three races as well.

More information, along with entry forms, are available at www.TriStateRacer.com.

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