Sat, Nov 28, 2026

Winter Wonderland Run

Rochester, NY

Registration openAnnual since at least 2024

Entry is $30 now and rises to $35 after Oct 26, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Winter Wonderland Run

The course runs through downtown Rochester, picking up the holiday lights already strung along the streets, then heads out to the river trail where more decorations line the way. It is a winter evening race, so you are running in the dark, and the lights do most of the work of making it feel like something.

Packet pickup is offered the evening before at a local running store, and again at the start area in the hours before the gun. Face painting is available before the race, and the organizers are clear that winter weather may force course adjustments, though they plan to run regardless.

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Winter Wonderland Run 2025 Results

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K Results · 2025

242finishers

18:58winner

33:13median

1:05:45cutoff

Top 3: EVAN BOURTIS (18:58) · James Bourtis (19:13) · Carter Pietrzykowski (19:43)

The Winter Wonderland Run has been held every year since at least 2024. 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 3.1 Miles 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 Oct 18, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.1 Miles11/28/2026 16:15$30

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.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Rochester — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

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Common Questions About the Winter Wonderland Run

Will I finish last at the Winter Wonderland Run?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 33:13, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:05:45, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Winter Wonderland Run a good first 3.1 Miles?

A field of 242 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 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Winter Wonderland Run?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 18:58 while the median finisher took 33:13. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.