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Photos: Bloomington Hosts Ugliest Sweater Run At Miller Park

Bloomington Parks and Recreation and Fleet Feet Sports Bloomington hosted the 4th annual Ugliest Sweater Run at Miller Park on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017.

With cold temperatures and gusting winds, participants stayed warm by donning their favorite ugly holiday sweaters. Participants registered for the non-competitive 1.5 mile or 5K (3-mile) race with prizes at the finish for the ugliest sweaters.

Families warmed up after participating in the Miller Park Ugliest Sweater Run on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017.
Credit Carleigh Gray / WGLT
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WGLT
Families warmed up after participating in the Miller Park Ugliest Sweater Run on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017.

Mothers pushing strollers decorated as sleighs, couples as elves, friends, and many more raced against the chilly weather wearing their ugliest sweaters and smiles all the way to the finish. As each participant ran through the candy cane finish line, they were ushered inside for holiday treats and hot cocoa to await the awards. Participants were judged for Ugliest Sweater, Loudest Sweater, Best Sweatered Couple and Most Festive.

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Program Manager Jill Eichholz organized the event to bring the community together for a good time. She explained that the event gives those who might not normally find running an enjoyable activity a fun way to participate in their community during holidays.

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These two wore festive hats and sweaters to keep warm at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Carleigh Gray / WGLT
/
WGLT
These two wore festive hats and sweaters to keep warm at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
These two runners kept warm in their festive gear at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Carleigh Gray / WGLT
/
WGLT
These two runners kept warm in their festive gear at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Volunteers helped runners take selfies during the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Carleigh Gray / WGLT
/
WGLT
Volunteers helped runners take selfies during the Ugliest Sweater Run.
This participant sported a Grumpy Cat onezie while running the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Carleigh Gray / WGLT
/
WGLT
This participant sported a Grumpy Cat onezie while running the Ugliest Sweater Run.
These participants wore holiday patterns along with fesitve sweaters at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Carleigh Gray / WGLT
/
WGLT
These participants wore holiday patterns along with fesitve sweaters at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
These Mothers and their "sleighs" raced towards the finished line at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Carleigh Gray / WGLT
/
WGLT
These Mothers and their "sleighs" raced towards the finished line at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
This family warmed up with cookies and cocoa after the finish line at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Carleigh Gray / WGLT
/
WGLT
This family warmed up with cookies and cocoa after the finish line at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Hot cocoa and cookies were served to the participants after finishing the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Carleigh Gray / WGLT
/
WGLT
Hot cocoa and cookies were served to the participants after finishing the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Instead of sweaters, these two dressed as penguins to show off their festive spirit at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Carleigh Gray / WGLT
/
WGLT
Instead of sweaters, these two dressed as penguins to show off their festive spirit at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Santa Claus even visited to see the participant's holiday spirit at the Ugliest Sweater Run.
Carleigh Gray / WGLT
/
WGLT
Santa Claus even visited to see the participant's holiday spirit at the Ugliest Sweater Run.

Carleigh Gray is a photography intern for GLT, as well as a student at Illinois State University.