Santa Run 8K/5K & Snowman Dash

It’s the most RUNderful time of the year!

8k can choose to be a Santa, Elf, Reindeer, or Snowman.   The 10th Annual Santa Run 8K/5K & Snowman Dash presented by Taylor Clay Products, will take place on December 19, 2026 at 9:00am in front of Truist Ball park in Uptown Charlotte. This family fun event encourages participants to have fun, be creative, and dress up in costumes. Costumes are of course encouraged but not required. In fact, we will help you with your costume. All participants will get to choose their character shirt and receive a hat to go with it…Santa Hat, Elf Hat, Reindeer Antlers, and a Snowman beanie.  The Santa Run will also have a 1 mile Snowman Dash.  This is a holiday tradition you will not want to miss.

START TIMES

8K & 5K - 9:00AM

Snowman Dash (1 mile) - 10:15AM

What do I get for participating?
1. High Quality shirt. We will have Unisex long sleeve shirts so please size yourself with that in mind. You must register before December 2nd to be guaranteed a choice of shirt; SANTA, ELF, REINDEER, OR SNOWMAN.  Your style of shirt will depend on what “character” you chose during registration.  Anyone registered AFTER December 1st will be an SANTA while inventory lasts.

2. Finisher Medals guaranteed for the 8K & 5K ONLY .  We do not have medals for the Snowman Dash.

3. Santa Hats, Elf Hats, Reindeer Antlers, and Snowman Beanies for the 8K and 5K only. Must register before December 1st to be guaranteed a hat. We will have extras available at the registration tent AFTER the race is over.

 

Packet Pick Up

Friday, December 18, 2026; 10:30AM – 6:00PM
Run For Your Life – Midtown
901 South Kings Drive, #100
Charlotte, NC 28204

Race Day Packet Pick Up – Saturday, December 19, 2026; 7:45AM – 8:45AM
324 S Mint St,
Charlotte, NC 28202

*YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PICK UP PACKETS FOR FRIENDS AND/OR FAMILY MEMBERS

Virtual Runners

Your shirt and bib will be mailed out on race weekend, as soon as we get the shirts back from the printers.  You can submit your time on the results page.

T-Shirts
Every 8K & 5K participant will receive a t-shirt that signed up before December 1st. If you've registered after our character/shirt deadline on December 1st , you will be registered as a Santa this year. We will order extra Santa shirts for those registering after December 1st but please note, your shirt is not guaranteed. We can not guarantee a Santa hat after December 1st.  All Snowman Dashers will have Snowman shirts. Shirts are ordered based on the sizes indicated during online registration. NO SWITCHING SIZES – NO EXCEPTIONS!

Timing
We have partnered with Run Events to time this years event using Chronotrack Timing Systems. All 8K participants will be timed and will receive their disposable timing tag during packet pick up.  Snowman Dash participants will be able to see their time at the finish with the finish line clock.

Divisions
Overall, Masters, 12 and under, 13-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over.

Awards
Top 3 Males and Females overall and 1st in Age Groups. 

Claiming Awards
As results become available, runners will be able to claim their awards at the awards ceremony prior to the last participant finishing. We do NOT ship unclaimed awards.

NOTE: Sisu Events reserves the right to add/delete categories and awards prior to race based on participation.

Refunds and Transfers
Registration fees are non-refundable. Event registrations are non-transferable between individuals, events, or years.

Time Limit
Walkers are welcome in the Snowman Dash only.

Medic/First Aid
There will be a medical tent located at the finish line in case of emergency or any medical needs. Announcements can always be made at the DJ booth as well.

Weather Policy
Races are held, rain or shine, unless Sisu Events & Run Events determines that conditions are too dangerous. This will be based on a prudent decision made on race weekend or race day by Sisu Events/Run Events and local law enforcement officials. If the race is canceled due to inclement weather there will be neither refunds nor transfers. This position is consistent with USA Track & Field recommendations and with the protocol of sharing the risks associated with the sport of running. In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, Sisu Events & Run Events reserve the right to alter, cancel or eliminate any/all portions of the race.

Parking
PLEASE arrive in time to park. There are many available parking lots and parking decks around Uptown Charlotte with evening parking rates (usually after 5pm). Many are within a short walking distance of Truist Ballpark.

Expo
After you cross the finish line, KEEP WALKING…receive your finishers medal! The food tables you will have water, bananas, and snacks from Earth Fare.   FREE Hot Cocoa.

Entertainment
We are so excited to have music at the Start and Finish line to energize the runners and maintain the fun!

 

The Henry Kalungi Foundation

The mission of the Henry Kalungi Foundation is to see the transformation of Uganda starting with the one. Growing up Henry Kalungi was a promising young athlete in which opportunity and resources were provided to him and through his hardwork and dedication he has made a life for himself of professional soccer and a youth soccer club  that allows him to give back to his country. 
All it takes is one person to make an impact and multiply that with many, a whole nation can be changed. 
What started as an annual Christmas party for the slum children in Kampala has evolved into sustainable impact.

By providing coaching, training, education and opportunity to promising young athletes their development will change their communities, and in turn, the nation of Uganda will experience economic prosperity, developmental transformation and aid in countrywide health.  
The Kalungi Family, Henry and his wife Jacqueline, have been called in the spirit of love and service to help the people of Uganda. And their hope is that their desire is shared with many to see where their hearts truly belong.

For More Information CLICK HERE

Make sure you dress up for the holidays and  for the Costume Contest to be eligible for awesome prizes. 

 

Grab your friends or take it solo.

 

We will be judging for the following divisions:

 

Individual Costume – costume of only one person

Partner Costume – costumes with two people participating

Group Costume – 3 or more form a group

Kid’s Costume – Group, pair or individual.  All must be 12 and under and running the event.

 

Judges will be looking for originality, authenticity, overall theme, and craftsmanship.  Being “in character” is always a plus!

 

Rules for participants

o   You must run/walk in your costume the entire race to be eligible for prizes

o   Groups and pairs must come to the judging table together to be judged

o   If you are a group or a pair, you must pick a team captain and a team name.  We will use this name and the team captain’s race number for judging

o   You must have a race number visible to be eligible for the contest and keep your race number on for winner announcements

o   You must have been a registered participant and run the race to be eligible for the costume contest

**We have added a 12 and under division to the costume contest.  The 12 and under division is for singles, pairs or groups who are 12 or under (no differentiation among the categories, they will all be judged as one).   Someone 12 or under can compete in the adult Partner or Group contest with an older person as a part of their “group” but then cannot compete in the 12 and under division.  Any one older than 12 cannot compete in the Kid’s Contest.

 

We will announce winners during our results ceremony at 10:30.

 

Costume Contest Schedule 

Judging will take place:

8:00a-8:30a at the blue “Costume Contest” tent located toward the finish line area.

 

 

MapMyRun 8K

MapMyRun 5K

Deferral Policy

You will not be able to defer into next years event.

Event Transfer Policy

Transfer into a different distance or into the Virtual Race:  Deadline is October 15th.

Once you log in you will want to click on your profile icon once more and click on PROFILE

From there you can click "Manage Registration". 

To change events or transfer events, click on "Transfer Event"

Bib Transfer Policy

You can transfer your bib to someone else or gift it to someone else at no fee as well.  Just log into your RunSignUp account to Bib Exchange.

Deadline for bib transfer is December 1st

Refund Policy

There are absolutely NO refunds, even in the event of race cancellation – NO exceptions.

 

There will be a different character medal each year.  Santa Medal 2020, Elf Medal 2021, Reindeer Medal 2022, and Snowman Medal 2023. 

Run 4 years in a row and COLLECT ALL 4!

High Quality shirt. We will have Unisex long sleeve shirts so please size yourself with that in mind. You must register before December 1st to be guaranteed a choice of shirt; SANTA, ELF, REINDEER, OR SNOWMAN.  Your style of shirt will depend on what “character” you chose during registration.  Anyone registered after December 1st will receive a Santa Shirt.

 

Snowman Dash: Unisex Shirt - Snowman Shirt

Santa Run 5K: Unisex Long Sleeve Shirt

SANTA 8K: Unisex Shirt - Adult Long-Sleeve

Virtual 8K or 5K: Unisex Shirt - Adult Long-Sleeve