About the Santa Run 8K/5K & Snowman Dash
The course starts outside a baseball park in uptown Charlotte and runs through the surrounding streets. The big draw here is the costume element: runners pick a holiday character when they register and show up dressed accordingly, so the start line looks more like a holiday parade than a typical road race. There are distance options for adults and a shorter dash for kids.
Packet pickup runs the evening before at a running store in midtown, with a race-morning window as well. The finish area has a medical tent and a DJ booth, so there is some noise and activity after you cross.
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Distances & Start Times
8K12/19/2026 09:00$45
1 Mile12/19/2026 10:15$23
5K12/19/2026 09:00$40
Virtual 8K or 5K12/19/2026 10:15$35
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.
Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.
Where to Stay
Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Charlotte — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.
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