Participants included a team of Santa's elves, several runners in Santa outfits and Santa himself in the pace car as well as the runners dressed as cookies and milk. This was the biggest year ever. This year's event started from Forum Boulevard and Chapel Hill. Funds raised go towards arthritis research and local services such as exercise classes, support groups and self-help programs. The Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis is a nationwide fund-raising event, held in more than 150 cities across the country.
Participants wear seasonal costumes and tie jingle bells to their shoelaces.
The 1999 Columbia event was directed by Columbia Track Club and presented by University Hospital and Clinics. Sponsors of the event included Rusk Rehabilitation Center, NBC TV-8 KOMU and Newstalk 1400AM KFRU, and Chapel Hill Plaza Merchants Association.