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| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.75 Mile Fun Run/Walk | Kids | Jan 1, 2027 | $28$32 after Oct 1, 2026 | – |
| 5K Run/Walk | 5K | Jan 1, 2027 | $40$45 after Oct 1, 2026 | – |
| Economy 1.75 Mile Fun Run/Walk | Kids | Jan 1, 2027 | $25$29 after Dec 15, 2026 | – |
| Economy 5K Run/Walk | 5K | Jan 1, 2027 | $32$37 after Dec 15, 2026 | – |
| Virtual Fun Run or 5KVirtual | 5K | Jan 1, 2027 | $35 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The Kids fee goes up to $32 on Oct 1, 2026.
Online registration closes Dec 31, 2026, unless the race fills first.
At $40, entry is about 33 percent above a typical 5K in North Carolina, which costs $30 right now.
A typical finisher at a 5K in Clemmons runs 40:10, about 12:56 a mile, based on 6 races with published results. Women typically finish in 52:04 and men in 36:13.
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:31 AM. The start sits about 820 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Tanglewood Park, Clemmons, NC 27012
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Aggregated from official results (Trivium Racing) for Running of the Lights. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
In 2026, the fastest tenth finished in 27:09 or better, the top quarter in 31:54, and half the field in 40:10; the last tenth came in after 1:01:21.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 23:25 | 17:29 |
| 20-29 | 25:19 | 19:38 |
| 30-39 | 26:29 | 21:38 |
| 40-49 | 29:13 | 24:20 |
| 50-59 | 30:05 | 24:33 |
| 60-69 | 37:39 | 31:00 |
| 70+ | 40:30 | 41:11 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
Where a finish time would have placed in 2026.
Up 26 percent since 2022.
All events combined, from official results.
From 2022 to 2026, the field went from 664 to 834 finishers, and the median time rose from 38:35 to 40:10.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 834 (+14%) | 40:10 | under 27:09 | 16:38 |
| 2025 | 730 (+23%) | 38:29 | under 26:50 | 17:41 |
| 2023 | 593 (-11%) | 38:40 | under 26:17 | 17:40 |
| 2022 | 664 | 38:35 | under 26:14 | 16:40 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
Slower than most North Carolina 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2026 5K field finished under 31:54, against 28:39 in a typical North Carolina 5K, so times here run 11 percent slower.
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.
Around January 1 the day usually runs from 35°F at dawn to 53°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 17% of days. Cold snaps dip to 24°F and hot years reach 69°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 6 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
What the organizers of Running of the Lights cover on their registration page, in brief.
Schedule and packet pickup
Early Packet Pick Up. Tuesday, December 29th 4:00 PM-6:00 PM Fleet Feet Greensboro 3731 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455. Wednesday, December 30th. 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Fleet Feet Clemmons 6339 Jessie Ln, Clemmons, NC 27012. Race Day. 10:15…
Course
Want to enjoy the lights at a laid back pace? Walk or run the Fun Run! The Fun Run course flows in a circle through the Festival of Lights and gives a great opportunity for all abilities to enjoy the lights on foot while starting the year…
Parking and travel
The Running of the Lights 5Kish utilizes the beautiful Tanglewood Park roads to travel through the Festival on Lights on foot! Athletes will have volunteers/police and turn signs at every turn. This course has become a family favorite and…
Parking and travel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Winston - Salem SW - Clemmons. 6330 Jessie Lane. Clemmons, NC 27012.
Parking and travel
We will park participants in two locations on race day. We will fill up the designated parking areas next to the Pool Area. There are about 800 parking spaces available at the Pool Area location. Please arrive early. Once that location is…
Shirt and medal
Michigan. Mega Medal Series. Prove It 5K/10K: May at the GM Milford Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan. Trenton Summerfest Half Marthon, 8K, & 5K: June at Elizabeth Park in Trenton, Michigan. Dearborn Decades 5K: August at Ford Field Park…
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Start your New Year with a healthy tradition at Running of the Lights! This unique January race begins at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day and takes participants on a magical run or walk through the dazzling Tanglewood Festival of Lights in Clemmons, North Carolina. Choose between the 5K(ish) Run/Walk or the 1.75 Mile Fun Run/Walk and experience a one-of-a-kind course that transforms the park’s Christmas wonderland into your personal race route.