Jingle Bell Run 5K Set For Downtown Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Jingle Bell Run is returning to downtown Toms River for the 23rd year to again raise money for the Toms River Police Foundation.

The run will be held on Dec. 4, with festivities and check-in beginning at noon.

There will be a kiddie dash and a 1-mile fun run in addition to the 5K, with the kiddie dash starting at 2:45 p.m. The 1-mile run is set to go off at 3 p.m., and the main race is set to start at 3:30 p.m.

Proceeds from the race will help fund scholarships for local high school students and spotlight the National PKU Alliance, which works to raise awareness of phenylketonuria (known as PKU), an inherited metabolic disease affecting the brain through increased levels of a substance called phenylalanine (Phe) in the blood. An amino acid, Phe is a building block of protein and is found in all proteins, most foods, and in some artificial sweeteners. Left untreated, it can cause permanent brain damage.

Registration for the race and additional information can be found on the Toms River Police Foundation website.