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Santa Runs Palm Springs 2026

Date
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Start time
8:20 AM start (Los Angeles)
Entry fee
From $15 · goes up to $20 on Nov 1, 2026
Included with entry
Includes a shirt
Fundraising
Takes optional donations when you register
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Events and entry fees

EventDistanceWhenEntry feeCap
Elf DashOtherDec 19, 20268:20 AM$15$20 after Nov 1, 2026–
5K5KDec 19, 20268:30 AM$40$45 after Oct 1, 2026–

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

Register on RunSignup

The Other fee goes up to $20 on Nov 1, 2026.

Race day planning

Entry fee schedule

  • Elf Dash: $15 until Nov 1, then $20 until Dec 19.
  • 5K: $40 until Oct 1, then $45 until Nov 1, then $49 until Dec 1, then $54 until Dec 19.

Online registration closes Dec 19, 2026, unless the race fills first.

How the price compares

At $40, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in California ($37).

What a typical finish looks like

A typical finisher at a 5K in Palm Springs runs 39:28, about 12:42 a mile, based on 4 races with published results. Women typically finish in 42:15 and men in 36:14.

Light and altitude

Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:46 AM, and the Elf Dash starts at 8:20 AM. The start sits about 660 feet above sea level.

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

Start location and course

332 W. Alejo Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262

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

641
finishers
36:28
median (11:44 /mi)
15:22
winning time
55% / 45%
women / men
median 36:2817:281:05:34
Finish times, fastest to slowest. Each bar is a slice of the field; the dashed line is the median.

Aggregated from official results (Ready, Set... Time!) for Santa Runs Palm Springs. Individual finisher names are not stored here.

How fast do you need to be at Santa Runs Palm Springs?

In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 24:10 or better, the top quarter in 29:04, and half the field in 36:28; the last tenth came in after 57:34.

Third place by age group, 2025 5K
AgeWomenMen
Under 2023:3316:44
20-2923:3422:04
30-3924:1021:06
40-4925:1422:17
50-5928:0922:54
60-6930:1425:52
70+33:1333:13

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 37 percent since 2024.

All events combined, from official results.

Santa Runs Palm Springs 5K year by year

From 2024 to 2025, the field went from 467 to 641 finishers, and the median time dropped from 38:27 to 36:28.

YearFinishersMedianFastest tenthWinner
2025641 (+37%)36:28under 24:1015:22
202446738:27under 23:4515:27

From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.

How fast is it?

Faster than most California 5Ks

The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 29:04, against 30:43 in a typical California 5K, so times here run 5 percent faster.

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 19 the day usually runs from 51°F at dawn to 65°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 16% of days. Cold snaps dip to 41°F and hot years reach 75°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.

From the race's page

What the organizers of Santa Runs Palm Springs cover on their registration page, in brief.

Schedule and packet pickup

Packet Pickup & Late Registration

You can still drop by and register in person at packet pickup! Location: Ruth Hardy Park parking lot at 700 Tamarisk Road, Palm Springs 92262. Dates: Friday, December 19th from 11AM - 4PM. Packet pick up and late registration will also be…

Course

Course Info

Follow a fast and flat course (well, mostly flat.there is one little hill, but then the downhill to the finish is awesome!) beginning in the Temple Isaiah parking lot at 332 West Alejo Rd., Palm Springs and following a quiet and scenic…

Parking and travel

Race Day Parking

Plenty of free parking is available on the streets east of the venue as well as a public lot on Alejo just west of Palm Canyon.

Awards

Awards

Finisher medals presented to all registered participants at finish line. Division Medals presented to first 3 men and women in each age division in 5 year increments through 85+. Award to top 3 male and female finishers overall. Award to…

Rules and FAQ

FAQs

Will there be a bag check available? Unfortunately, we will not have a bag check available for this event. Are dogs allowed on this run? Absolutely! We just ask that you keep your dogs on a leash and that you clean up after them! Are…

Full details on the race's RunSignup page

Race details

Where
332 W. Alejo Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262Map
Course
Road
Start elevation
About 660 feet
Included with entry
T-Shirt
Donations
Accepted when you register
Distances
5K, Other
Editions
2026 (Dec 19, 2026), 2025 (Dec 20, 2025), 2024 (Dec 7, 2024)

Organize this race? Add details or a correction

Plan your race

Quick answers

When is Santa Runs Palm Springs?
Saturday, December 19, 2026, starting at 8:20 AM.
How much does it cost?
Entry starts at $15 before processing fees, and rises to $20 on Nov 1, 2026.
When does registration close?
Online registration closes Dec 19, 2026, unless the race fills first.
Is the entry fee high for California?
At $40, entry is about the same as a typical 5K in California ($37).
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, Other.
How big is it, and how fast?
In 2025, 641 runners finished the 5K; the median finish was 36:28 and the winner ran 15:22.
Is it a fast course?
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 29:04, against 30:43 in a typical California 5K, so times here run 5 percent faster.
Where does it start?
332 W. Alejo Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262.

From the organizers

We're excited to announce that the Santa Paws 5K is now the Santa Runs Palm Springs! The event you all love with a new twist!

This unique 5K event invites every participant to be Santa Claus! Each registered participant will receive a full Santa suit to wear during the event, which you can then keep.

Join us to run, walk, or stroll the 5K (3.1-mile) route. Strollers and dogs are welcome to participate!

For children 10 and under, we offer a 200-meter Elf Dash. Entry for the children's event is $15 and includes a finisher medal.

Everyone is welcome—runners, walkers, strollers, and dogs—for a morning filled with holiday cheer and plenty of Ho! Ho! Ho's!