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Health & Fitness

Gingerbread and Jingle Jogs

Fun holiday jaunts for Atlantans.

By Colleen's Contributor, Patti Elrod-Hill

Thanksgiving signaled the beginning of the frantic Holiday Season. Although I love all of the parties, I always try to get out of town for at least one short weekend during December. Three of my favorite holiday activities to do when traveling are eating, visiting Gingerbread House exhibits, and running in Holiday fun runs.  Here are three cities where you can do all three:

Savannah, Georgia, the epitome of a Southern City, is host to both a Gingerbread House exhibit and a Reindeer Run!  The Westin Savannah Harbor is the site of the “South’s Largest Gingerbread Village” Nov. 24- Dec. 31, 2011.  A tour of the Gingerbread Village is free.

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The 2nd Annual Savannah Reindeer Fun 8k is Dec. 17, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.  The run, which benefits the Rape Crisis Center, starts at the Savannah Trade and Convention Center.  Wear your best holiday costume, and be sure to stay around for the Chili Cook-Off following the race.

While in Savannah, one of my favorite restaurants is Elizabeth on 37th.

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The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, hosts the National Gingerbread House Competition™.  Viewing for the community is Sunday through Thursdays, Nov. 16, 2011 through January 1, 2012.  Guests at the Grove Park Inn are welcome to view anytime.

If you’re in Asheville on Dec. 3, 2011, lace up your sneakers and run the Jingle Bell Run/Walk benefitting the Arthritis Foundation.  The run starts at the Montford Recreation Center, 34 Montford Drive, Asheville, NC  28801.

When you’ve finished running, visit the Biltmore House and count the Christmas trees.  While on the grounds of the Biltmore, the Bistro is a good choice.  The Bistro changes the menu often to take advantage of seasonal fresh foods.

My favorite December holiday runs is The Jingle Jog 5k and Fun Run on Dec. 10, 2011, in Dunwoody.  The run starts in the Costco parking lot at 6350 Peachtree Dunwoody Road at 8:00 a.m.  Put your jingle bells on your running shoes, bring the kids and the dogs, and plan to stay after for tons of food and fun activities.

Another race is the Peachtree Corners Christmas 10K and 5K on Dec, 17, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.  The race begins at 4500 Jones Bridge Rd. in the newly formed City of Peachtree Corners, Georgia 30092.

The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford, GA, is the site of the Second Annual Sustainable Gingerbread House competition.  Families, businesses, student groups and others will design and build gingerbread houses which include at least three sustainable building elements – such as rain barrels, green roof, windmills – in the design.  The winners will be announced at the Holiday Open House on Dec, 10, 2011, and the gingerbread houses will remain on view for the rest of December.

 

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