Elf 'N' Cocoa 8K/5K & 1 Mile Fun Run 2026
- Date
- Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Start time
- 8:40 AM start (New York)
- Location
- West Deptford, New Jersey
- Entry fee
- From $30 · goes up to $35 on Oct 30, 2026
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details
Official race websiteAdd to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google
Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mile Kids Run | Kids | Dec 6, 20268:40 AM | $30$35 after Oct 30, 2026 | – |
| 5K | 5K | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $46$48 after Oct 30, 2026 | – |
| 8K Run | 8K | Dec 6, 20269:05 AM | $50$55 after Oct 30, 2026 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The Kids fee goes up to $35 on Oct 30, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- 1 Mile Kids Run: $30 until Oct 29, then $35 until Dec 4.
- 5K: $46 until Oct 29, then $48 until Dec 4.
- 8K Run: $50 until Oct 29, then $55 until Dec 4.
Online registration closes Dec 4, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $50, entry is about 25 percent above a typical 8K in New Jersey, which costs $40 right now.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:07 AM, and the 1 Mile Kids Run starts at 8:40 AM. The start sits about 20 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
Riverwinds Community Center, West Deptford, NJ 08086
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.
2025 results
All results (5 years)5K Race
8K Race
Aggregated from official results (GDFAR Timing Services) for Elf 'N' Cocoa 8K/5K & 1 Mile Fun Run. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Elf 'N' Cocoa 8K/5K & 1 Mile Fun Run?
At the 2025 5K Race, the fastest tenth finished in 23:58 or better, the top quarter in 28:19, and half the field in 35:17; the last tenth came in after 49:52.
At the 2025 8K Race, the fastest tenth finished in 35:37 or better, the top quarter in 41:07, and half the field in 48:17; the last tenth came in after 1:01:49.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 23:56 | 20:25 |
| 20-29 | 29:43 | 23:17 |
| 30-39 | 27:14 | 23:05 |
| 40-49 | 26:12 | 22:38 |
| 50-59 | 28:44 | 25:45 |
| 60-69 | 42:36 | n/a |
| 70+ | 49:51 | n/a |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Finishers by year
Up 26 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
Elf 'N' Cocoa 8K/5K & 1 Mile Fun Run 5K year by year
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 232 to 295 finishers, and the median time rose from 33:07 to 35:17.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 295 (-7%) | 35:17 | under 23:58 | 18:14 |
| 2024 | 317 (+12%) | 35:34 | under 25:09 | 18:52 |
| 2023 | 282 (+4%) | 34:21 | under 24:23 | 18:40 |
| 2022 | 272 (+17%) | 33:33 | under 24:11 | 19:23 |
| 2021 | 232 | 33:07 | under 24:56 | 18:36 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Slower than most New Jersey 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 28:19, against 27:09 in a typical New Jersey 5K, so times here run 4 percent slower.
- 8K: About average for New Jersey 8Ks. The fastest quarter of the 2025 8K field finished under 41:07, against 41:25 in a typical New Jersey 8K, so times here are about average.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around December 6 the day usually runs from 33°F at dawn to 45°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 17% of days. Cold snaps dip to 25°F and hot years reach 60°F.
Based on 65 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- Riverwinds Community Center, West Deptford, NJ 08086Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 20 feet
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K, 8K, Kids
- Editions
- 2026 (Dec 6, 2026), 2025 (Dec 7, 2025), 2024 (Dec 8, 2024), 2023 (Dec 9, 2023), 2022 (Dec 10, 2022), 2021 (Dec 11, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Elf 'N' Cocoa 8K/5K & 1 Mile Fun Run?
- Sunday, December 6, 2026, starting at 8:40 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $30 before processing fees, and rises to $35 on Oct 30, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Dec 4, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for New Jersey?
- At $50, entry is about 25 percent above a typical 8K in New Jersey, which costs $40 right now.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K, 8K, Kids.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 295 runners finished the 5K Race; the median finish was 35:17 and the winner ran 18:14.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 28:19, against 27:09 in a typical New Jersey 5K, so times here run 4 percent slower.
- Where does it start?
- Riverwinds Community Center, West Deptford, NJ 08086.
- Is there a course map?
- Yes, the organizers publish the route on Plotaroute; the link is under Start location and course.
From the organizers
9th Annual Holiday Race featuring 3 Great Distances and a Whole Lot of fun.
This race proudly supports the HEADstrong Foundation. Info Here: www.HEADstrong.org
8K and 5K Race Amenities:
Chip-Timed Race with Live Results and awards
Course Highlights:
Paved Course
Waterfront Areas with Views of Philadelphia
Awards for top male and female finishers in 8K and 5K (Top 3 Overall and Top 3 Per Age Group -10 and Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, and every 10 yrs)
Finisher Medals a Custom Cocoa Mug for All Finishers
Cup of Delicious Hot Cocoa from "Death of the Fox Coffee House" at the Finish for all registered participants
1 Mile Kids Fun Run Amenities:
1 Mile Non-timed Course for Kids 14 and Under.