Salt River Elementary School held its annual holiday Jingle Jog run on Dec. 17, roughly a week before Christmas Day. 

Students, families and friends gathered at the school’s courtyard to begin stretching with Scottsdale Community College mascot Artie the Artichoke and Sammy the Squirrel from Great Wolf Lodge. The school also welcomed a special guest who traveled all the way from the North Pole: Santa Claus stopped by to offer more stretches and encouragement to kids and parents before the run began, and he was later seen with Artie and Sammy cheering on the runners. 

Cups of hot chocolate and candy canes were waiting at the finish as everyone started making their way back into the courtyard. The festivities came to an end with a sing-along of Christmas carols.