Ninth annual Jingle Jog to spread cheer Thursday night in downtown Lawrence

The ninth annual Jingle Jog, sponsored by Red Dog’s Dog Days, will ring along Massachusetts Street Thursday evening as runners adorned with battery-operated lights, bells, Santa hats and other holiday gear make a lap around downtown.

Participants will meet for a group photo at 6:30 p.m. Thursday behind Kizer-Cummings Jewelry, 833 Mass. The route goes south to 11th Street then loops back up to Sixth Street before returning to Kizer-Cummings. After refreshments at the finish line, runners will head up to the Dynamite Saloon, 721 Mass., for a post-jog party. Participants are asked to bring an ornament to decorate a Christmas tree at the saloon, and collections for charities also will be taken.