For many, the holidays mean eating turkey, plenty of comfort food, hanging up lights, shopping for gifts, and making New Year’s resolutions. However, as runners you know that the holidays are also a perfect time for running—with all those lights and decorations on display.
Whether you’re trying to get in a few miles before you start cooking a big Thanksgiving dinner, jogging through your neighborhood to catch the festive light displays, or starting the new year with a fresh pair of shoes, running is the perfect antidote to the holiday hustle.
So it’s no surprise that every year from mid-November to January, thousands of runners across the United States sign up to run turkey trots, holiday 5Ks, and even a daunting New Year’s Eve marathon. We’ve taken a look at the calendar and picked out some of the most exciting holiday-themed races for you and yours to try this year.
Santa Hustle
Date: Various
Location: Various
First up, we’ve got two race franchises. The first is the Santa Hustle, a race that dares runners to show their Christmas cheer (and dress like Santa if they so choose) while knocking out some miles. With 11 races across the United States in December 2023 and lengths varying from half marathons to a kids dash. There’s something for just about everyone.
Hot Chocolate Run
Date: Various
Location: Various
If you’re a chocolate lover, the Hot Chocolate Run series is going to be a must (You get to slug down the delicious chocolate goodness once you cross the finish line). The Hot Chocolate Run is available in 18 cities in the United States (and a make-your-own-cocoa virtual option as well) with varying lengths available depending on location. While drinking hot chocolate in Tampa might not be quite as fun as in Chicago, it’s safe to say that hot chocolate is pretty great anywhere.
PPTC Turkey Trot
Date: November 23, 2023
Location: Brooklyn, New York
In recent years the Turkey Trot has become a Thanksgiving staple, almost as popular as mashed potatoes (and certainly more popular than green bean casserole). While most cities across the United States have races on Thanksgiving morning, the Prospect Park Track Club’s 5-miler in Brooklyn is also a “Race for Reconciliation” and gives a portion of its proceeds to charities that help Native Americans.
Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run 5K & 10K
Date: December 2, 2023
Location: Santa Monica, California
Perhaps not the best locale if you’re on the hunt for a white Christmas, but if you want to get in a run and some sun before your office holiday party, this Southern California classic might be the race for you. Pick either the 5K or the 10K and cruise around Santa Monica and Venice. The race starts and ends on the beach so you know the views will be among the best a holiday race has to offer.
Detroit Santa Speedo Run
Date: December 3, 2023
Location: Detroit, Michigan
The cheapest race on this list is the Detroit Santa Speedo Run, the only thing it will cost you is a little bit of body heat. Every year Checker Bar in downtown Detroit hosts this mile-long sprint through downtown with runners wearing nothing but their underwear. Show up, strip down to your Christmas-themed skivvies, try not to freeze in the Michigan winter weather, and return to the bar a drink and a great party. This is one race on this list that is possibly as much fun for the spectators as it is for the runners.
Christmas City Classic 5 Miler and Candy Cane 5K Run/Walk
Date: December 9, 2023
Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
If you want as chance to dress up as your favorite reindeer, elf, or the jolly fellow in red this is the race for you. Runners take to the streets of perhaps America’s most Christmassy city: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Post race stroll the quaint shops of main street Bethlehem and listen to the holiday carols from the speakers along the street as you walk— you’ll feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie.
Reindeer Run 5K, 10K, & 15K
Date: December 9, 2023
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
By December in Minneapolis, there’s almost always some snow on the ground. Which is perfect for reindeer and this wintery jaunt around Lake Harriet. There are three distance options based on how many loops of the course you’d like to do, but no matter how far you run, you get to snap a picture with Santa and Mrs. Clause once you’ve finished.
Hanukkah 8 Crazy Kilometers and 2K Latke Loop Fun Run
Date: December 10, 2023
Location: Bakersfield, California
This race, which runs through a gorgeous nature preserve, commemorates the eight days of Hannakah with 8K’s of running. Best to carb load with some latkes and celebrate with some babka.
Jingle 15K and 5K
Date: December 10, 2023
Location: Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC will forever be one of the best cities to run in. The flat landscape and wide sidewalks give you plenty of room, and there’s a landmark almost everywhere you look. This 15K around the National Mall and along the Potomac River provides runners with plenty of sights all decked out for the holidays.
12Ks of Christmas
Date: December 16, 2023
Location: Winter Garden, Florida
If you’re heading down to Orlando for the holidays (or more specifically Walt Disney World to see it decked out in all its Christmas splendor), you might as well sign up for this 12K that’s only a few miles away. Whether you’re a lady dancing, a lord a-leapin, or a piper piping, you’ll enjoy this holiday run that includes festive course entertainment and a photo op with Santa at the finish.
Christmas Eve 5K
Date: December 24, 2023
Location: Allison Park, Pennsylvania
It’s a bit hard to find a Christmas equivalent to the turkey trot given that most families are opening presents the morning of Christmas. The morning of Christmas Eve, however, is usually wide open so why not squeeze in a run then? This race outside of Pittsburgh gives families the opportunity to get in that group run, and there will be cookies and hot chocolate waiting at the finish.
Scrooge Scramble 5K
Date: December 25, 2023
Location: Vernon, Connecticut
Races on Christmas morning are few and far between, but if presents aren’t really your jam, you can head to Connecticut for this Ebenezer Scrooge-inspired race on December 25. However, perhaps more in keeping with the Scrooge at the end of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol than the beginning, all proceeds from the race go to charities that will make sure others have a lovely Christmas.
Last Chance Marathon
Date: December 31, 2023
Location: Bellingham, Washington
Skipping along to New Year’s, December 31st is in fact your last chance to race in 2023 and if you’ve been putting off running a marathon and want to sneak it in just under the wire, you can head to Washington for this last chance race. It’s a gorgeous trail course that can be ran once for a half and twice for a full so you’ll be able to take in some mountain scenery hours before the ball drops.
NYRR Midnight Run
Date: December 31, 2023
Location: New York, New York
Conversely, if you'd like to start your year out with a race, you can head to Central Park for this Midnight Run put on by the New York Road Runners. As soon as the clock strikes, runners are off for a lap of the park. While the fireworks and confetti cannons are blasting off in Times Square, those trying to get the earliest possible start on their new year’s resolutions can be found a few miles away hustling through the dark.
Resolution Run & Polar Bear Dive
Date: January 1, 2024
Location: Seattle, Washington
There’s nothing that says “New year, new me” quite like a polar plunge. If you’re in Seattle, you can sign up for this 5K that ends with a dip in Lake Washington. Feel refreshed, reborn, rejuvenated, and ready to take on everything that 2024 has in storm. Just make sure to bring a change of warm clothes along with you—don’t want to start 2024 with a fresh case of hypothermia.
