Race calendar · December 2026

December 2026 Ultra Races in the United States

26 Ultra races across the US in December 2026, sorted by date. Which weekends are busiest, what the fields actually run, entry fees, and where each one starts.

26 Ultra races in December 2026

What the field actually runs

December Ultra Races, By the Numbers

7:20:38Median finish time
4:37:16Median winning time
46Median field size
9December Ultra 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 Sep 22, 2026.

When in December

The December Race Weekends

Ultra races do not spread evenly across December. The busiest weekend is December 5 and December 6, with 7 of them. Another 8 fall on a weekday.

  1. Dec 5 – Dec 67
  2. Dec 12 – Dec 135
  3. Dec 19 – Dec 205
  4. Dec 26 – Dec 271

By the numbers

The Biggest and Longest-Running

The December Ultra races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.

Soonest Ultra Races in December

26 total

Common Questions About Running a December Ultra

Is December a good month for an Ultra?

It is one of the busier months. December carries 26 Ultra races, against 45 in October, which is the fullest month of the year. There is a real choice of dates here, with less competition for entries than the peak of the season.

When in December are most Ultra races held?

The busiest weekend is December 5 and December 6, with 7 Ultra races on those two days, and the single busiest day is Saturday, December 5 with 7. Another 8 fall on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for one.

When should I sign up for a December Ultra?

As early as you can. 13 of these December Ultra races already have a price increase on the calendar, and 16 are open for entry right now. Another 9 have published an opening date and have not opened yet.

How much does a December Ultra cost to enter?

The typical entry is $90, with paid entries running from $15 up to $9999, and 1 that are free to enter. Entry fees climb as race day gets closer, so the same race is usually cheapest the week it opens.

What is a good Ultra time?

Across the 9 of these December Ultra races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 7:20:38, and the median winning time was 4:37:16. So anything under 7:20:38 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 Ultra field?

The median one finished 46 runners, across the 9 of these December Ultra 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 10:25:19.

Which states have the most December Ultra races?

Georgia has 7, California has 3, Florida has 3, Texas has 3, Virginia has 2. If you are willing to travel, those are the states where a December weekend gives you the most to choose from.

Are there trail Ultra races in December?

Yes, 5 races around the United States get you off the pavement: 5 are trail races. Surfaces are not always published, so it is worth checking a specific race before you register.

Ultra Races in Other Months

November and January sit either side of December, which is where most people look next when a date does not fit.