Festive third Jingle Bell Run/Walk slated for Sunday

For the third straight year, Glendale will host the Los Angeles Jingle Bell Run/Walk on Sunday, which raises funds for the Arthritis Foundation, and sign-ups are welcome right up to the event.

The 5K will start in front of the Alex Theatre in downtown Glendale, loop through neighboring streets and end back at the venue.

The outing is meant to be a fun one as well, said Helen McDonagh, one of the organizers who also is on the board of the foundation.

“The fun thing about the Jingle Bell Run is that people get dressed up in Santa costumes and reindeer outfits … it’s just a very festive 5K,” she said.

This year’s goal is to raise $150,000 and, so far, a little more than $107,000 has been cobbled together from entry fees and sponsorships.

Money raised helps pay for special camps catering to kids with arthritis.

“A lot of people think arthritis is an old-person disease, but there’s 300,000 children in the U.S. with this disease,” McDonagh said.

About 800 participants signed up last year, while roughly 750 have committed, so far, to participation on Sunday.

People can register for the 5K at LAJBR.org. Entry is $40.