Run Santa Run 5K 2026

Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
Start time: 1:00 PM start (Chicago)
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Entry fee: From $35 · goes up to $40 on Oct 1, 2026
Included with entry: Includes a shirt
Fundraising: Takes optional donations when you register

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Official race website

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Events and entry fees

Event	Distance	When	Entry fee	Cap
Run Santa Run 5K - ELF	5K	Dec 12, 20261:00 PM	$35$40 after Oct 1, 2026	–
Run Santa Run 5K - PENGUIN	5K	Dec 12, 20261:00 PM	$35$40 after Oct 1, 2026	–
Run Santa Run 5K - SANTA	5K	Dec 12, 20261:00 PM	$35$40 after Oct 1, 2026	–

Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.

The 5K fee goes up to $40 on Oct 1, 2026.

Race day planning

Entry fee schedule

$35 until Oct 1, then $40 until Dec 1, then $50 until Dec 12.

Online registration closes Dec 12, 2026, unless the race fills first.

How the price compares

At $35, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in Wisconsin ($35).

What a typical finish looks like

A typical finisher at a 5K in Madison runs 33:37, about 10:49 a mile, based on 11 races with published results. Women typically finish in 35:38 and men in 30:35.

Light and altitude

Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:19 AM, and the Run Santa Run 5K - ELF starts at 1:00 PM. The start sits about 860 feet above sea level.

Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.

Start location and course

825 State Street, Madison, WI 53703

Directions to the start

The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.

Typical race-day weather

Around December 12 the day usually runs from 23°F at dawn to 35°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 16% of days. Cold snaps dip to 2°F and hot years reach 47°F.

Based on 75 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: 825 State Street, Madison, WI 53703Map
Course: Road
Start elevation: About 860 feet
Included with entry: Long Sleeve Cotton Shirt
Donations: Accepted when you register
Distances: 5K
Editions: 2026 (Dec 12, 2026), 2025 (Dec 13, 2025), 2024 (Dec 21, 2024), 2023 (Dec 16, 2023), 2022 (Dec 4, 2022), 2021 (Dec 5, 2021)

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Plan your race

Quick answers

When is Run Santa Run 5K?: Saturday, December 12, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM.
How much does it cost?: Entry starts at $35 before processing fees, and rises to $40 on Oct 1, 2026.
When does registration close?: Online registration closes Dec 12, 2026, unless the race fills first.
Is the entry fee high for Wisconsin?: At $35, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in Wisconsin ($35).
Do runners get a shirt or medal?: Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
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.
Where does it start?: 825 State Street, Madison, WI 53703.