Santa Hustle Chicago 2026
- Date
- Saturday, December 5, 2026
- Start time
- 8:00 AM start (Chicago)
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois
- Entry fee
- From Free · goes up to $29.99 on Oct 1, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt and a hat
Registration is open.
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Official race websiteAdd to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google
Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kids Dash | Kids | Dec 5, 20268:00 AM | $24.99$29.99 after Oct 1, 2026 | – |
| 10K | 10K | Dec 5, 20268:15 AM | $69.99$74.99 after Oct 1, 2026 | – |
| GUIDE - 10K | 10K | Dec 5, 20268:15 AM | Free | – |
| 5K | 5K | Dec 5, 20268:30 AM | $54.99$59.99 after Oct 1, 2026 | – |
| GUIDE - 5K | 5K | Dec 5, 20268:30 AM | Free | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The Kids fee goes up to $29.99 on Oct 1, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Kids Dash: $24.99 until Oct 1, then $29.99 until Dec 1, then $35 until Dec 5.
- 10K: $69.99 until Oct 1, then $74.99 until Nov 1, then $79.99 until Dec 1, then $95 until Dec 5.
- GUIDE - 10K and GUIDE - 5K: Free until Dec 5.
- 5K: $54.99 until Oct 1, then $59.99 until Nov 1, then $64.99 until Dec 1, then $75 until Dec 5.
Online registration closes Dec 5, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $69.99, entry is about 67 percent above a typical 10K in Illinois, which costs $42 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 10K in Illinois runs 1:03:01, about 10:08 a mile, based on 51 races with published results. Women typically finish in 1:07:48 and men in 57:32.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:02 AM, and the Kids Dash starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 610 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
1410 Special Olympics Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2023 results
All results (2 years)Aggregated from official results for Santa Hustle Chicago. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Santa Hustle Chicago?
In 2023, the fastest tenth finished in 26:22 or better, the top quarter in 31:20, and half the field in 38:11; the last tenth came in after 57:32.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 22:30 | 20:27 |
| 20-29 | 21:05 | 16:52 |
| 30-39 | 20:23 | 19:10 |
| 40-49 | 21:12 | 20:46 |
| 50-59 | 23:43 | 21:57 |
| 60-69 | 28:56 | 23:29 |
| 70+ | 38:33 | 31:30 |
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 2023.
Finishers by year
Up 24 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
Santa Hustle Chicago 5K year by year
From 2021 to 2023, the field went from 1,874 to 2,323 finishers, and the median time rose from 38:09 to 38:11.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,323 (+24%) | 38:11 | under 26:22 | 15:43 |
| 2021 | 1,874 | 38:09 | under 25:22 | 15:23 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Slower than most Illinois 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2023 5K field finished under 31:20, against 28:26 in a typical Illinois 5K, so times here run 10 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.
Typical race-day weather
Around December 5 the day usually runs from 27°F at dawn to 39°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 17% of days. Cold snaps dip to 16°F and hot years reach 51°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
- 1410 Special Olympics Dr, Chicago, IL 60605Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 610 feet
- Included with entry
- Santa Hustle Long Sleeve Shirt + Santa Hat and Beard; Santa Hustle Long Sleeve Shirt + Beanie
- Distances
- 5K, 10K, Kids
- Editions
- 2026 (Dec 5, 2026), 2025 (Dec 6, 2025), 2024 (Dec 7, 2024), 2023 (Dec 2, 2023), 2022 (Dec 3, 2022), 2021 (Dec 4, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Santa Hustle Chicago?
- Saturday, December 5, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at Free before processing fees, and rises to $29.99 on Oct 1, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Dec 5, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Illinois?
- At $69.99, entry is about 67 percent above a typical 10K in Illinois, which costs $42 right now.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt and a hat, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K, 10K, Kids.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2023, 2,323 runners finished the 5K; the median finish was 38:11 and the winner ran 15:43.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2023 5K field finished under 31:20, against 28:26 in a typical Illinois 5K, so times here run 10 percent slower.
- Where does it start?
- 1410 Special Olympics Dr, Chicago, IL 60605.
From the organizers
The Santa Hustle Race Series is more than just a run—it’s a magical holiday experience filled with festive fun, Christmas cheer, and a whole lot of Santa spirit! Runners of all ages and abilities are invited to join this winter wonderland race, featuring a scenic course, holiday music, and sweet treats like candy canes and cookies along the way. Whether you're dashing through the snow for a PR or just in it for the holiday vibes, the Santa Hustle is the perfect way to celebrate the season with family, friends, and fellow festive runners!