NORTH POLE, Alaska - Multiply the 208 participants in the first Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis in North Pole by two to get an idea of the jingle-jangle holiday sounds heard around Santa's hometown last Saturday.

In addition to a T-shirt and race bib, each runner or walker received two jingle bells to tie to their shoe laces, thus enlivening the 5K fundraiser that began and ended in the parking lot of the Santa Claus House.

Participants turned out in red and furry white Santa regalia and costumes representing the northland. North Pole King and Queen regents Jim and Denise Taylor wore their royal robes and crowns, and others wore an assortment of Santa gear, moose antlers, and other items.

An additional 40 or so canines, some in costume, also walked the walk.

Winners of the costume contest were mother and son, Bree Griffin and Collin Griffin, and the Polar Strollers team, captained by Erin McGowan.

The final fundraising tally isn't in, but Laura Goss, director of the Arthritis Foundation Alaska Chapter, expects the event raised more than $17,000.

All of the money raised, Goss said, will be used for establishing additional programs and services for people with arthritis in the Interior. Professional education on rheumatology issues for Fairbanks medical professionals also is planned.

According to Goss, there are only five rheumatologists in Alaska, and all practice in Anchorage.

The Arthritis Foundation holds Jingle Bell fundraisers all over

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the country primarily in November and December.

But Jingling in July seemed more appropriate for a large turnout in Alaska.

Goss estimates that out of the more than 200 participants, 20 or 30 of them were from out of state, and she expects more next year.

"Since the event, I've had five or six calls from running clubs Outside," she said. The Arthritis Foundation Alaska Chapter will hold a free public forum from 6-8 p.m., Sept. 9 at the Noel

Wien Public Library led by an Anchorage nurse practitioner with a specialty in rheumatology. For more information, visit arthritis.org or contact Goss tollfree at (866) 997-2784.

Contact staff writer Mary Beth Smetzer at 459-7546.

To contact the Newsroom, call 907-274-1111.

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