The Ugly Sweater 5K 2026
- Date
- Saturday, November 28, 2026
- Start time
- 9:00 AM start (New York)
- Location
- Carrollton, Georgia
- Entry fee
- From $15 · goes up to $30 on Oct 2, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K | 5K | Nov 28, 20269:00 AM | $25$30 after Oct 2, 2026 | – |
| Ugly Sweater 5K Student Rate (18 and Under) | 5K | Nov 28, 20269:00 AM | $15 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 5K fee goes up to $30 on Oct 2, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K: $25 until Oct 1, then $30 until Nov 28.
- Ugly Sweater 5K Student Rate (18 and Under): $15 until Nov 28.
Online registration closes Nov 28, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $25, entry is about 17 percent below a typical 5K in Georgia, which costs $30 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in Carrollton runs 35:59, about 11:35 a mile, based on 15 races with published results. Women typically finish in 39:47 and men in 30:42.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:23 AM, and the Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 1,010 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
500 Believers Way, Carrollton, GA 30117
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 results (5 years)Aggregated from official results (SoleRoots Racing) for The Ugly Sweater 5K. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at The Ugly Sweater 5K?
In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 25:02 or better, the top quarter in 29:41, and half the field in 38:02; the last tenth came in after 57:12.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 28:45 | 21:46 |
| 20-29 | 28:59 | 35:42 |
| 30-39 | 26:45 | 28:26 |
| 40-49 | 32:06 | 26:21 |
| 50-59 | 30:41 | 27:30 |
| 60-69 | 43:55 | n/a |
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 29 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
The Ugly Sweater 5K 5K year by year
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 124 to 160 finishers, and the median time dropped from 38:10 to 38:02.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 160 (+72%) | 38:02 | under 25:02 | 19:10 |
| 2024 | 93 (+9%) | 35:44 | under 25:23 | 19:16 |
| 2023 | 85 (-21%) | 36:22 | under 23:17 | 19:56 |
| 2022 | 107 (-14%) | 36:57 | under 26:06 | 20:17 |
| 2021 | 124 | 38:10 | under 25:46 | 19:57 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
About average for Georgia 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 29:41, against 29:30 in a typical Georgia 5K, so times here are about average.
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 November 28 the day usually runs from 40°F at dawn to 59°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 23% of days. Cold snaps dip to 30°F and hot years reach 69°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
- 500 Believers Way, Carrollton, GA 30117Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 1,010 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K
- Editions
- 2026 (Nov 28, 2026), 2025 (Nov 29, 2025), 2024 (Nov 30, 2024), 2023 (Nov 25, 2023), 2022 (Nov 26, 2022), 2021 (Nov 27, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is The Ugly Sweater 5K?
- Saturday, November 28, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $15 before processing fees, and rises to $30 on Oct 2, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Nov 28, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Georgia?
- At $25, entry is about 17 percent below a typical 5K in Georgia, which costs $30 right now.
- 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.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 160 runners finished the Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K; the median finish was 38:02 and the winner ran 19:10.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 29:41, against 29:30 in a typical Georgia 5K, so times here are about average.
- Where does it start?
- 500 Believers Way, Carrollton, GA 30117.
From the organizers
Ditch the Leftovers. Grab Your Ugliest Christmas Sweater!
Ready to trade the Thanksgiving turkey for some holiday cheer? Kick off the Christmas season with us the Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K!
We’re bringing the festive fun to the beautiful, certified 5K course at the Hobbs Farm Greenbelt Trailhead. Whether you’re a serious runner looking for a timed personal best or a family looking for a joyful morning stroll, this event offers fun for all ages.
Run with Purpose Every stride supports a wonderful cause. All proceeds directly benefit Reaching Above, a dedicated classroom for students with special needs.
What’s waiting for you at the finish line?