More than 3,000 runners and walkers tied jingle bells to their shoes in the fight against arthritis in downtown Indianapolis. The 25th annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis presented by OrthoIndy took place on Dec. 15 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The event featured a 10K run and a 5K run/walk. The event raised $165,000 for the Heartland Region of the Arthritis Foundation. That money will be used to fund arthritis research, education and advocacy.

“Research holds the key to tomorrow’s advances in preventing, controlling and curing arthritis,” said Jenny Conder, Area Vice President of the Arthritis Foundation, Heartland Region. “The Jingle Bell Run is our foundation’s biggest and most exciting event of the year. Money raised provides hope for a future free of arthritis pain. Not to mention it’s also a fun and festive way to kick off the holiday season.”

In addition to fundraising prizes, awards were also handed out for the best costumes. Pictures from the event are posted on the Indianapolis Jingle Bell Run Facebook page. Timing results can be found at www.tuxbro.com.

Voted as one of the nation’s “Most Incredible Themed Races” in 2012, the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is an important way to make a difference in the fight to end arthritis, a serious disease that affects 53 million Americans (roughly one out of five adults). In Indiana, that number is closer to one in four adults, including 6,400 children.