Monroe Jingle Bell Run

Monroe Jingle Bell Run pairs a half marathon (13.1 miles) at 8:00 a.m. with a 5K at 8:30 a.m. in Monroe, Louisiana, on December 19, 2026, based at Forsythe Park in Ouachita Parish. The event promotes an active lifestyle while supporting scouting programs across the northeast and center of the state. Proceeds fund work with at-risk young people and scholarships to the T.L. James and Attakapas camps, so that scouting stays open to youngsters from any background.

The half marathon is the standout option: 13.1 miles late in December makes a solid goal race to close the year, and it is long enough that pacing discipline in the first three miles decides your finish. Build toward it with a 12-week block and a weekly long run stretching to 10 or 11 miles. The 5K, half an hour later, is the fallback if your fall training was interrupted.