With holiday music in the air and plenty of festive spirit, the beloved event once again brought families, friends, and fitness fans together for a meaningful cause.
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — It was a holly, jolly morning in Gruene on Saturday, as more than 1,200 runners laced up their sneakers for the 33rd Annual SJRC Texas | Belong Jingle Bell Run.
With holiday music in the air and plenty of festive spirit, the beloved event once again brought families, friends, and fitness fans together for a meaningful cause.
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Jingle Bells, running shoes, and holiday cheer in Gruene
The 5K race began and ended at the picturesque Patrick Heath Amphitheater, guiding runners along a scenic stretch of the historic Old No. 9 Trail. But this event was about much more than miles—it was a full-on holiday celebration. Participants enjoyed a bustling vendor fair, cheerful refreshments, photo ops with Santa, a kids’ 1K run, and even a holiday costume contest that brought out everything from jingle bells to reindeer antlers.
For competitive runners, the certified, chip-timed course delivered a fast and fun challenge, while families and casual runners soaked up the joyful atmosphere at their own pace. No matter how participants crossed the finish line, everyone left with smiles—and maybe a little glitter.
The Jingle Bell Run supports Transformation House, a program that provides women and children who have experienced trauma and abuse with safe transitional housing and wrap-around services like therapy and case management. These dual-generation services help families heal, rebuild, and move forward toward lives free from abuse.
Now in its 33rd year, the Jingle Bell Run continues to be a cherished holiday tradition in the Hill Country, bringing the community together to run, celebrate, and make a difference—one festive step at a time.