Folks of all faiths and fitness levels are invited to usher in the first evening of Chanukah at the JCC’s inaugural Dreidel Dash 5K on Sunday, December 6, at 1:15 p.m.
“A short, invigorating race is great for this time of year, and a healthy and fun way to celebrate the JCC’s 125th anniversary,” said JCC Healthy Living and Member Experience Director Tara Stone. “The Dreidel Dash is also a wonderful way to start Chanukah and introduce new faces to the JCC. We hope to make it an annual event.”
The Dash is for runners and walkers ages 10 and over. It will be followed by a one-mile Family Fun Run for everyone and an awesome after party with games, music, Chanukah snacks and a menorah-lighting at sundown.
The entire community is encouraged to cheer on the racers, enjoy the after party and bring canned goods for the Jewish Family & Career Services Food Pantry.
A Jewish Community Center staff member dressed as a dreidel will help psyche 5K participants up at the starting line. The race route begins in front of the JCC, heads up Dutchmans Lane, and then south onto Taylorsville Road before turning around at Keneseth Israel synagogue and concluding back at the JCC. Winners in different age groups will get medals.
All 5K participants will receive a swag bag containing a dreidel, event T-shirt, Chanukah gelt and more goodies.
Following the 5K, at 2:15, is the one-mile Family Fun Run for all ages. Parents can even push their children in strollers during this casual exercise on the JCC grounds.
After the runs are done, the party starts in the JCC’s upper gym. Partiers can play dreidel and other games, groove to the tunes of DJ Mike Ballard, sample savory and sweet Chanukah treats like latkes and donuts, pose for pictures in a Magnolia Photo Booth, and welcome the first evening of Chanukah at the menorah lighting which will complete the festivities at 5 p.m.
Dreidel Dash sponsors include Kentucky One Health and Today’s Woman magazine.
Registration fee is $25 prior to Friday, November 27, and $35 thereafter. Register at https://jewishlouisville.org/dreideldash/ or by calling Tara Stone at 502-238-2727.