FORT WALTON BEACH — Despite the mist of rain that later became steady, the 1,300 participants in Saturday’s 34th Annual Jingle Bell Jog kept spirits bright with their jovial attitudes.
PHOTO GALLERY: View photos from the Jingle Bell Jog >>
The 5K and 10K runs raise money for the Special Forces Association Chapter 7, an organization that supports soldiers and families of the Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Being a military family, the Pedlars of Gulf Breeze were attracted to the event’s cause. The race was 12-year-old Katt’s first, although 16-year-old Sean has been running for a while.
“There’s always a good atmosphere here,” their father, Chuck Pedlar, said at Uptown Station before the event. “The attitude is always great.”
Some runners wore costumes ranging from full spandex body suits to reindeer antlers.
Victoria Diamond and Katelyn Winthurst made their red, green and white sparkly tutus, complete with jingle bells, from scratch.
“We need to get our money’s worth,” Diamond said with a laugh.
Even with the fun all around, participants never forgot the reason for the run.
Sisters Angela Irwin and Stacey Frantz were drawn by the Jingle Bell Jog because their father was in the Navy.
“We support the military no matter what branch,” Irwin said.
Special Forces Staff Sgt. Grant Hatchison was happy to see so many people at the race.
“You don’t know how many people are supportive or know what you do until you see them here,” Hatchison said.
Chapter 7 President Steve Tuttle had only praise for the support the 7th Special Forces Group has received since it moved to the area from Fort Bragg, N.C.
“It’s neat,” Tuttle said. “We love it. Ever since the chapter moved down here we’ve felt the love from the Emerald Coast.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.