NORMAL — A newly opened uptown Normal hotel as a starting point — and a new route — may  have played a role in coaxing folks out for a fundraising run on a rainy Sunday.

About 1,800 runners and walkers and 150 volunteers participated in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis, one of McLean County’s larger annual fundraising events, bringing in $102,000, $22,000 more than the goal.

“We blew it out of the water, which was really exciting,” said Tara Braucht, branch director for the Arthritis Foundation of McLean County.

Although  in its 21st year, the run was held for the first time at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in uptown Normal, after outgrowing its longtime starting point at The Chateau in Bloomington, Braucht said.

Braucht said the new location might have been a factor in the large turnout of 1,800 runners (126 teams) on a dreary, rainy day.

“I think a lot of people were probably curious about the new route and I think a lot of people wanted to see the new hotel,” she said.

“I think everybody realized it’s such a good cause and it’s right here in McLean County,” said Val Funk, a volunteer coordinator.

About 125 students in an Illinois State University communications class raised more than $15,000. The class, Small Group Processes, taught by William Semlak, devoted an entire semester to volunteering for the foundation and thinking of creative ways to raise funds for the organization. Braucht said 15 other ISU teams participated in the run Sunday as well.

As in previous years, a costume contest was held prior to the walks and runs. A one-mile walk proceeded west to the Illinois State University quadrangle and then back to the hotel. The 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) run/walk took participants south on Broadway Street, Broadway Place and Clinton Boulevard, then east on Empire Street, before returning north on Constitution Trail, west on Phoenix Avenue, then north on Broadway to the Marriott.

The funds will be used for research, educational materials, exercise classes, seminars and self-help and support groups. Individuals paid $30 while teams paid $40.

Wet and festive

“It was raining, but it wasn’t cold, so it was a great run,” said Jodi Hallsten, member of the board of the Arthritis Foundation and one of the volunteer coordinators. “All you could see as far as the eye could see were runners, and we were in all colors, and people were festive.”

Hallsten said she was impressed by the help of the Bloomington and Normal police departments, who were present as the route included parts of both towns.

“The cooperation of so many people in the community, and the generosity of this community is overwhelming,” she said.

“All these organizations keep asking for help and asking for money, and the community always seems willing to help. It just keeps going. I think it speaks to the community.”

In Illinois, about 11 percent of children and nearly 23 percent of adults have some form of arthritis.