When in December are most 5K races held?
The busiest weekend in Arizona is December 12 and December 13, with 9 of them, 7 of those on Saturday, December 12. One more falls on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for it.
Race calendar · December 2026 · Arizona
5K Races in Arizona in December 2026
Every 5K in Arizona in December 2026, all 18 of them, sorted by date. Dates, entry fees, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.
What the field actually runs
December 5K Races, By the Numbers
37:25Median finish time
20:01Median winning time
239Median field size
4December 5K races with published results
How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.
When in December
The December Race Weekends
5K races are not spread evenly across December. Here is how the calendar actually falls, weekend by weekend, which is the part worth knowing before you book a trip or plan a taper around one.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The December 5K races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
Arizona 5K Races by City in December
All 5K Runs in Arizona in December
18 total Sat, Dec 5, 2026The Lainy's Light 5K Santa Run/Walk Tucson, AZFrom $40Details Sat, Dec 5, 2026Holiday 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Phoenix, AZ (49) Phoenix, AZFrom $30Register Sun, Dec 6, 2026Hanukkah Hot Cocoa Run 5k/1k/1mile Tucson, AZFrom $35Details Sun, Dec 6, 2026Hot Girls Run AZ 5K Phoenix, AZFrom $60Details Sat, Dec 12, 2026The Marathon Project Chandler, AZFrom $50Details Sat, Dec 12, 2026Welcome to the 21st Annual Vail Jingle Trail! Tucson, AZFrom $35Details Sat, Dec 12, 20262026 Jingle Bell Run - Arizona Mesa, AZFrom $45Details Sat, Dec 12, 2026Run for Breast Cancer 5K/10K/13.1 PHOENIX Phoenix, AZFrom $30Register Sat, Dec 12, 2026Sunrise Marathon 5K/10K/13.1 PHOENIX Phoenix, AZFrom $30Register Sat, Dec 12, 2026Ak-Chin Masik Tas 10K/5K Run/Walk Maricopa, AZFreeRegister Sat, Dec 12, 2026The Cowboy Christmas 5k Chandler, AZFrom $40Details Sun, Dec 13, 2026Santa Hustle Glendale Glendale, AZFrom $65Details Sun, Dec 13, 2026The Michael J. Fox Foundation's Phoenix Run/Walk Phoenix, AZRegistration opens Dec 13FreeView race Sat, Dec 19, 2026Holiday 5K,10K & 13.1M at Tucson, AZ (51) Tucson, AZFrom $30Register Sat, Dec 26, 2026Holiday 5K & 10K at Phoenix, AZ (52) Phoenix, AZFrom $30Register Sat, Dec 26, 2026A Merry Christmas Run 5K/10K/13.1 PHOENIX Phoenix, AZFrom $30Register Sat, Dec 26, 2026New Year's Run 5K/10K/13.1 PHOENIX Phoenix, AZFrom $30Register Thu, Dec 31, 2026#RUNMARANA Egg Nog Jog and Kid’s Free FUN Run Marana, AZFrom $35Details
Common Questions About Running a December 5K in Arizona
What is a good 5K time?
Across the 4 of these December 5K races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 37:25, and the median winning time was 20:01. So anything under 37:25 puts you in the faster half of a typical field. That is the middle of these RunSignup fields, walkers and charity entrants included, not a national average.
How big is a typical December 5K field?
The median one finished 239 runners, across the 4 of these December 5K races with published results from past editions. Most are far smaller than the big-city events people picture, which means less crowding at the start and a friendlier field, with a last recorded finisher at 1:12:15.
Are there trail 5K races in Arizona in December?
Yes, one race around Arizona gets you off the pavement: 1 mixes road and trail.