A holiday-themed five-kilometer race benefiting Guide Dogs of the Desert will be held in Palm Springs next week.
The “Santa Paws 5K,” hosted by the Palm Springs Marathon Runners, will be held Dec. 18, starting at 332 W. Alejo Road at 9 a.m.
The event will have runners wear Saint Nick’s outfit of choice as they run to support the Guide Dogs of the Desert, officials said.
The organization, founded in 1972, pairs visually impaired clients with trained guide dogs. The service is free for clients, who upon being matched with an animal are given extensive training on how to adjust to living with a guide dog.
Registration is $40 until Dec. 16, when the price is upped to $45, and comes with a Santa suit and various goodies. Those who cannot join physically can be virtual runners for $50 and will have a suit and other goods mailed to them.
To learn more about the event, visit events.hakuapp.com/santa-paws-5k-benefiting-guide-dogs-of-the-desert.