Lace up your running or walking shoes, craft your costume and tie your bells on – its time for the Jingle Bell Run & Walk.

Hosted by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, the 25th annual event will raise funds to benefit research, programs and services to prevent, control and cure arthritis.

The Jingle Bell Run & Walk has become a holiday calendar fixture for the city of Seattle and with 12,000 participants last year; the annual event has become one of the largest “fun runs” in the city.

Additionally, the Seattle Jingle Bell Run & Walk draws the largest crowd and greatest number of fundraising dollars nationally in comparison to the Arthritis Foundation’s 100 events across the country. This year, the Arthritis Foundation has set out to celebrate the run and walk’s 25th year by raising a landmark $750,000.

This year, the event will take place on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 6:45-11 a.m. in downtown Seattle, starting at Westlake Center. The 5K run and walk event is planned to include: a costume contest with prizes, giveaways, holiday music provided by WARM 106.9, activities for the kids and visits with Santa.

More information about the 2009 Jingle Bell Run & Walk or the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation is available at www.seattlejinglebellrun.org.