The jingles never seem to stop and it started on December 8, 1984 with the open winners, Brain McNelis (30:58) and Alisa Harvey (36:10), the master winners were Fay Bradley (33:40) and Judy Flannery (42:44). This was the beginning of the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis 10K. The temperature was 25 degrees and windy out on Hains Point. Since 1984 there have been more than 33,000 finishers in the 10K.

On Saturday, December 7, 2002, at 9 am, at Freedom Plaza (13th & Pennsylvania Avenue) the holiday celebration of the 19th Jingle Bell Run For Arthritis 10K and the 7th Jingle Bell Run For Arthritis 5K will take place. The annual event is the Arthritis Foundation's biggest healthy-living fundraising event of the year. There are some 500,000 people in Metropolitan D.C. who have arthritis. The race and walk will bring family and friends together for a morning of fitness and fun to support the Arthritis Foundation.

The tradition of the jingle bells laced to the shoes will be heard throughout the race. There will be random prizes along with a costume contest. You can form teams of your friends or coworkers to collect pledges to further show your support.

Complete race details and on-line registration are available at the race Web site or Washington Running Report Web site. The race entry fee will increase after November 30, 2002. The ChampionChip will be used for race scoring. The race course will be slightly modified from prior years. If you are unable to run and wish to volunteer you can sign up online at the Arthritis Foundation site or call (202) 537-6800 ext. 3027.

The open event records were set in 1986 by Steve Taylor (29:59), the only runner to have gone under 30 minutes, and Christine Constantin (35:11) in 1993. The masters records were set in 1994 by Chuck Moeser (32:15) and Patti Shull (37:53) in 1998.

There have been two multiple year winners, John Wessels in 1987 (31:42) and 1988 (31:29). The other, George Probst in 1997 (31:27) and 1998 (30:58).

There have been three masters division runners who have won the race overall, Chuck Moeser in 1994 (32:15), when he set the masters record. Jim Hage won overall in 2000 (32:55). Patti Shull was the female winner in 1998 (37:53) when she set the masters record.

The male open record for the 5K was set in 2000 by Ted Poulos (16:31) and female record was set last year by Jackie Concaugh of Team Pacers (18:05). The male masters record was set in 2000 by Emil Magallanes (16:35) and the female record in 2000 by Linda Wack (20:26).

Thanks to the numerous sponsors and supporters of the race. Arthritis is one of the country's primary health problems, affecting one out of every six people in the country. It strikes people of all ages including children and young adults. The Arthritis Foundation sponsors research that is uncovering the causes, prevention, and treatments for the more than 100 arthritis-related diseases.

For additional information, please visit the Arthritis Foundation web site.