Lawrence residents Caylen Vickers, left, with her chihuahua Radar, Brenda Meyers, right, with her poodle Dexter, and Regan Dodd, in back, with her poodle Lily, jog through the intersection of Seventh and Massachusetts streets during the Jingle Bell Run in downtown Lawrence. The women dressed up as elves and their dogs served as reindeer for the event, which benefits the Ballard Community Center.

Holiday decor was on the move downtown Thursday night in the most fashionably fit manner.

The fifth annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk attracted a record number of people and the best winter weather to date, according to Laura Dahnert, the woman responsible for starting the themed event.

Dahnert ran the mile-and-a-half loop down Massachusetts Street in a Santa Claus suit alongside 114 others decked out in Christmas lights, jingle bells, Rudolph noses and Santa hats. The group began and ended the route at Kizer-Cummings Jewelers, 833 Mass.

Johnny Paradise, 32, finished first in his shorts and red-and-green socks with his dog Dewey by his side.

“A lot of people had a lot of fun; some people were singing songs,” he said.

Dahnert started the event with a good time and good cause in mind. Each year the event has raised hundreds of dollars for local organizations. This year’s donations will go to Ballard Community Services, which provides an early education program and family assistance, and to the Boys and Girls Club, an after-school program.

Beverly and Don “Red Dog” Gardner of the Red Dog Days community workout program, help organize the event. Thursday’s run drew many from that program.

Don Gardner said his passion is helping children as well as promoting physical fitness.

Gardner has helped both organizations that will receive the donations.

“Monies like this from the community will ensure that our kids in the Lawrence community will have a safe place to go after school for about 1,200 youth,” said Janet Murphy, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club.

The fundraiser will also help Ballard Community Services with its goal of raising $150,000 by the end of the year to help the 121 children it serves, said Dianne Ensminger, CEO of Ballard.

When runners and walkers completed their jog or stroll, they streamed into the jewelry shop where hot cider and cookies awaited them before some continued the holiday festivities at The Eldridge.

“We’re just a crazy bunch who has a good time all the time and I think it’s just wonderful what Red Dog does for the community,” Dahnert said. “We like to make our presence known in the community, and this is just a great way to do it.”