The temperature was a mere nine degrees a little after 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 but not even the freezing weather put a damper on the festivities of the 7th Annual Andy Albright Memorial Jingle Jog.

Students and community members dressed up in their most creative holiday outfits, as well as their long johns, and braved the elements to make this year’s Jingle Jog another rousing success.

Kellie Richardson, sophomore in event management and special events co-chairwoman for the Freshman Council, provided a final tally of the number of participants, as well as the money raised for the scholarship the Jingle Jog funds.

“We had 728 runners total, which means we raised about $9,000 for the scholarship fund,” Richardson said. “It was not quite enough to endow the scholarship, but it puts us in a great position for next year to be endowed.”

In the hours leading up to the race, a parade of students in colorful costumes ranging from Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch to Santa and his elves ascended the stairs of the Memorial Union to the Pioneer Room to register for the Jingle Jog.

Jessica Speck, freshman in elementary education, came dressed as Santa Claus and voiced what was a common sentiment amongst this year’s Jingle Jog participants as to what drew them to the event.

“We were most excited about dressing up,” Speck said. “This is all just really fun. Although, Santa ate a lot today so we’re going to do a mix of running and walking for the 5k (5,000 meter race).”

After registration, Jingle Joggers ventured down the hall to the Gallery Room to participate in a number of special events leading up to the start of the race.

Kristen Mancosky, junior in diet and exercise and peer advisor to the Freshman Council, participating in her third consecutive Jingle Jog spoke of the festivities and their evolution over the last few years.

“Each year has gotten a little bigger and a little better,” Mancosky said. “The activities keep improving now with the picture booth, the face painting, and of course, the costume contest.”

Some participants who had extra time before the start of the Jingle Jog also voluntarily helped to create holiday cards that will be distributed by the Freshman Council to children in local hospitals who can’t be home for the holidays.

As 6 p.m. approached, the costume clad students migrated up to Beardshear Hall for the speeches preceding the start of the 5k. Because of the cold, the speeches were moved indoors to the second floor common area inside Beardshear.

Morgan Bobb, senior in nutritional science and co-director of Winterfest, introduced the speakers.

“This year our speakers were Dean Pamela Anthony, as well as Bethany Olsen,” said Bobb. “Bethany is a senior in agriculture and an excellent representation of a student athlete as well as someone involved in leadership and Iowa State traditions. She spoke very well about the importance of tradition for students and the community, which is exemplified by the Jingle Jog.”

The speakers were preceded and followed with songs sung by the Kappa Pellas and Tau Beta Singers, a student a cappella group comprised of band members from the University’s traditional band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Sci and sorority, Tau Beta Sigma.

Drew Barker, senior in instrumental music education, formed the group and led them in renditions of “Barbara Ann,” “Let It Snow” and “Mr. Grinch,” among others.

“I started this group because some of us didn’t have a chance to sing anymore being so heavily involved with band,” Barker said. “We usually just sing for other band people, so this was great.”

A little after 6p.m., the runners gathered outside to view the lighting of the campus Christmas tree, which signified the start of the race.

Nicholas Herbert, freshman in aerospace engineering, didn’t run the race but came out to view the tree lighting ceremony.

“The tree lighting was great, like a thousand different colored fireworks jumping off at once,” Herbert said. 

Katie Carver, junior in agronomy, is a past participant in the Jingle Jog and continued support the event this year. 

“The Jingle Jog is my absolute favorite tradition at Iowa State,” Carver said. “Not enough people know about it.”

After the tree was lit, the colorful hoard galloped off into the night, undeterred by the cold.

“I am so extremely proud of what my committee as well as the Freshman Council was able to create this year,” Richardson said. “Without them this annual race would not happen, and watching the whole event come to life was all worth the hard work this semester.”