Race Details
The Jingle Bell Half Marathon & 5k kicks off with packet pickup at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 8th at the Sports and Fitness Center at Northern Essex Community College. Both races start at 9 a.m. and the party goes until 1 p.m.! Click a section below for more details.
The Course
Half Marathon
The Jingle Bell Half Marathon offers runners a figure 8 loop course through the most rural section along the Merrimack River in Haverhill Massachusetts. The race starts and finishes at the Northern Essex Community College campus which is ideally located off of Route 495. The course is well marked with easy to see mile markers and race marshals at all key locations..
The first loop is an easy 5K that brings you right back to the start area. The course then travels exclusively on rolling rural roads in Haverhill. This course is much easier than the Atkinson course!
There are five water stops along the course, one of which will also have Gatorade and one will have hot chocolate! We know that sometimes nature calls at the when it’s least convenient, that’s why we’ve put portable toilets at two water stops.
The 5k
Grab your holiday costumes and get ready for fun! The 5k course is great for runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels. It follows the same route as the half marathon for the first three miles then splits off and finishes at the start area on the Northern Essex Community College. This is a gently rolling course with no tough hills.
The After-Party
Not only do you get a wonderful day of amazingly scenic running, but you’re also treated to an after-party in the Sports and Fitness Center at NECC, featuring FREE bone-warming hot chocolate & soup, healthy granola bars, bananas and Hint flavored water. As if that weren’t awesome enough, runners 21+ get two tasty craft beers! The best part? It’s all included with your registration!
Packet Pick-up
Packet pick-up will be held at Sport and Fitness Center at NECC on the morning of the race from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. where you’ll receive your bib and commemorative race tee! Half marathoners will get their medals at the Finish, as always. Shirts won’t be mailed out after the event if you don’t pick yours up, so don’t oversleep!
Directions & Parking
Directions
Both races starts at 9 a.m. at Sports and Fitness Center at Northern Essex Community College Please arrive by 7:30 a.m. to ensure you have time to park, check-in, and stretch before the race begins.
The after-party takes place in the Fitness Center from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Parking
There will be plenty of FREE parking available right at the Northern Essex Community College!
Spectators
We discourage spectators from driving out on the course, as many of the roads are narrow and this will cause a safety hazard. Spectators will enjoy seeing all the runners at mile 3 as the half marathon and 5K course loop back right by the start area.
