East County's Tracy Hutter lined up in the dark for the 2016 Jingle Bell Run on Saturday evening in Lakewood Ranch Main Street with no expectations to win or get a medal.
She had a different motive for running in a race that benefits The Arthritis Foundation.
"I have arthritis," Hutter said. "I will probably need their support someday. And my daughter probably will have it, too."
Hutter's 7-year-old daughter, Alexis, ran the race alongside her mom.
The Hutters also had another reason for participating.
"This race always is fun," Tracy Hutter said.
Indeed, most participants were doing more laughing than running. Before and after the race finish, the participants were treated to food, games and music on Lakewood Main Street.
Bobby Sweeting of Sarasota was the overall race winner in 18:24. His sister, Kelli Jaco of Sarasota, won the women's portion of the event in 21:15.
Santa (Bradenton' s Tom Jensvold) tries to get 2-year-old Evan Billingham of Lakewood Ranch to give him a high five, as Evan' s dad, Dr. Chris Dillingham, looks on.
Five-year-old John Motzenbecker has the perfect seat aboard dad, Jared Motzenbecker.
Kristen Gilray, Toni Gilray and Ashleigh Gilray get ready for the Jingle Bell Run.
Amy Cates, Mary Cates and Sara Ochs share a moment before the start of the race.
Runners get final instructions for the Jingle Bell Run.
Michelle Thrift, Gabby Havsfeld, Shanna Hemmerlein, Siri Koshes, Andrea Munro and Denise Smith were reindeers to Vito Amato' s Santa. All work at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
7-year-old Alexis Hutter ran the race with her mom, Tracy Hutter.
Kelly Jaco tries to catch her breath after winning the women' s portion of the Jingle Bell Run in 21:15.
Mark Hoffman and his wife, Lindsay, completed the race with sleepy Brooklyn, 4 months, and Charlotte, 18 months.
Morgan Hoffman and Jenna Schaefer were volunteers who handed the runners medals after the race.
Jingle Bell women' s winner Kelly Jaco poses with her brother, overall race champion Bobby Sweeting. He won in 18:24.
Volunteers Samantha Bradham and Laura Licoski judged the costume contest.
All the runners were presented with some snazzy medals.
