The Lainy's Light 5K Santa Run/Walk 2026
- Date
- Saturday, December 5, 2026
- Start time
- 9:00 AM start (Phoenix)
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
- Entry fee
- From $40 · goes up to $60 on Oct 2, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a hat
- 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
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lainy's Light 5K Santa Run | 5K | Dec 5, 20269:00 AM | $40$60 after Oct 2, 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 $60 on Oct 2, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- $40 until Oct 2, then $60 until Dec 6.
Online registration closes Dec 6, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $40, entry is about 14 percent above a typical 5K in Arizona, which costs $35 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in Tucson runs 36:38, about 11:47 a mile, based on 27 races with published results. Women typically finish in 39:03 and men in 31:28.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:10 AM, and the The Lainy's Light 5K Santa Run starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 2,440 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
University of Arizona Mall, Tucson, AZ 85721
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2025 results
All resultsAggregated from official results (Roadrunner Race Timing) for The Lainy's Light 5K Santa Run/Walk. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at The Lainy's Light 5K Santa Run/Walk?
In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 28:29 or better, the top quarter in 34:22, and half the field in 42:10; the last tenth came in after 1:02:09.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 40:25 | 25:54 |
| 20-29 | 28:35 | 27:15 |
| 30-39 | 29:58 | 31:26 |
| 40-49 | 35:15 | 25:17 |
| 50-59 | 40:39 | 32:50 |
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.
How fast is it?
Slower than most Arizona 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 34:22, against 30:59 in a typical Arizona 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.
Typical race-day weather
Around December 5 the day usually runs from 45°F at dawn to 71°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 7% of days. Cold snaps dip to 39°F and hot years reach 78°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
- University of Arizona Mall, Tucson, AZ 85721Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 2,440 feet
- Included with entry
- Santa hat and beard
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K
- Editions
- 2026 (Dec 5, 2026), 2025 (Dec 6, 2025)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is The Lainy's Light 5K Santa Run/Walk?
- Saturday, December 5, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $40 before processing fees, and rises to $60 on Oct 2, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Dec 6, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Arizona?
- At $40, entry is about 14 percent above a typical 5K in Arizona, which costs $35 right now.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a hat, 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.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 224 runners finished the The Lainy's Light 5K Santa Run; the median finish was 42:10 and the winner ran 22:07.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 34:22, against 30:59 in a typical Arizona 5K, so times here run 11 percent slower.
- Where does it start?
- University of Arizona Mall, Tucson, AZ 85721.
From the organizers
Join us for the Second Annual Lainy’s Light Santa Run/Walk!
Celebrate in memory of Lainy Sharpe while making a difference this holiday season. All proceeds go directly to supporting local pediatric cancer patients and their families through the Lainy’s Light Foundation.
Register by November 15, 2026, to receive a Santa hat and beard to wear during the run!
All registrations and donations are final; no refunds.