More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K

While the Jingle 5k in Lakewood Ranch Dec. 12 did draw its share of serious runners, most of the more than 500 runners who participated came to either be a part of a fun event or to support the race's charities.

The fun part was obvious. Many of the runners dressed in bright holiday colors with Christmas-tree strands of blinking lights wrapped around them. Others wore bells that jingled with every stride.

Proceeds from the race benefitted the Big Bill Foundation and the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation.

Lakewood Ranch's Erin Petraites was one of the runners who just wanted to support the causes.

"I've always wanted to do a 5K and this one looks like a lot of fun," said Petraites, who said she planned to walk the first 5K of her life.

Others were more serious about the actually running. Derek Robinson, a 2025 Lakewood Ranch High graduate, won the event in 15:51, holding off David Proudfoot, also of Lakewood Ranch, who finished in 16:14.

Lakewood Ranch's Sebastian Nantes, 12, was running his first 5K. His mom, Karyn Nantes, who is a runner, picked the race out for him. She said her son has shown a lot of talent for running.

He finished 30th overall in 20:51 and first in his age division.

"He just started running," Karyn Nantes said. "And he is blowing them out of the park."