Sat, Dec 19, 2026

Jingle Bell 5K

Punta Gorda, FL

Registration openAnnual since at least 2021

5K5K

Entry is $25 now and rises to $30 after Oct 30, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Jingle Bell 5K

The course runs on paved roads and sidewalks around Babcock Ranch, so the footing is smooth the whole way. Spectators can watch from multiple spots along the route, and dogs on leashes are welcome if they start toward the back. There is an untimed option that goes off shortly after the timed wave, making it easy to run with someone at any pace.

Packet pickup runs at the Babcock Ranch Lifestyle Office across several days before the race, with race-morning pickup available at Founder's Square. Parking near the start is free and described as plentiful. Post-race, there are snacks and awards on site, with age group recognition across a wide range of categories.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a decent-sized field, and the spread of finish times is wide, so this is a mostly recreational race rather than one for club runners.

5K · 2025 results

301finishers

15:00winner

32:46median

1:10:00cutoff

Top 3: Ben Scheller (15:00) · Heath Gibson (16:56) · Ryan Giuliano (16:59)

The Jingle Bell 5K has been held every year since at least 2021. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

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 Sep 10, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K12/19/2026 08:00$30

3.1 Miles12/19/2026 08:00$25

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Jingle Bell 5K

Will I finish last at the Jingle Bell 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 32:46, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:10:00, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Jingle Bell 5K a good first 5K?

A field of 301 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Jingle Bell 5K?

The 5K winner ran 15:00 while the median finisher took 32:46. That spread points to a broad, mostly recreational field rather than a race dominated by club runners.