CHATTANOOGA — Kateryna Moisyeyeva and William Hazell sped past a spirited field of Santa’s helpers Sunday morning to win the Jingle Bell Jog 5K.
Almost all of the 180 finishers were decked out in festive red outfits. As part of the registration pack each received a hat, top, pants, belt, beard and bells. Finishers received a cool medal on a colorful ribbon. The event was facilitated by the Chattanooga Track Club, with pickup at Fleet Feet on the North Shore.
Hazell, 17, took overall honors in 19:11, well ahead of Moisyeyeva, 46; neither were in the Santa garb, though, earning nicks on the naughty list. She was runner-up, in 20:44, also well ahead of third-place finisher Gary Paradis, 46. He crossed in 22:04.
Mindy Sanders was second female (4th) in 22:51, and her son, Evan, 13, was third male (5th) in 22:51. Ashlyn Carlin was third female (7th) in 23:19.
The forecast looked terrible at a glance, with increasing chance of rain after the 9 a.m. start. Runners lit out from under the U.S. 27 at Ross’s Landing on the Tennessee River. The out-and-back went west along the greenway to, eventually, pass an industrial area before returning to downtown. The rain held off, other than light mist.
The Chattanooga Track Club has a full slate of events throughout the year, and has set its 2024 schedule. It includes a backyard “last runner standing” event in January to kick off the year. Also included are a few trail events and the annual Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon in November.
See all of the Jingle Bell Jog 5K results here.
Watch the start of the race here:
