Ugly Sweater 5K 2026
- Date
- Saturday, December 12, 2026
- Start time
- 8:00 AM start (New York)
- Location
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Entry fee
- From $5 · goes up to $35 on Nov 1, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Dressed Pet | – | Dec 12, 20268:00 AM | $5 | – |
| Ugly Sweater 5K | 5K | Dec 12, 20268:00 AM | $30$35 after Nov 1, 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 $35 on Nov 1, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Best Dressed Pet: $5 until Dec 11.
- Ugly Sweater 5K: $30 until Nov 1, then $35 until Dec 12.
Online registration closes Dec 12, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $30, entry is about 14 percent below a typical 5K in South Carolina, which costs $35 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in Columbia runs 34:23, about 11:04 a mile, based on 11 races with published results. Women typically finish in 37:39 and men in 31:24.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:19 AM, and the Best Dressed Pet starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 210 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
Gills Creek Memorial Park, Columbia, SC 29206
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Typical race-day weather
Around December 12 the day usually runs from 40°F at dawn to 58°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 28% of days. Cold snaps dip to 30°F and hot years reach 70°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
- Gills Creek Memorial Park, Columbia, SC 29206Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 210 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K
- Editions
- 2026 (Dec 12, 2026), 2025 (Dec 13, 2025), 2022 (Dec 10, 2022), 2021 (Dec 11, 2021), 2019 (Dec 14, 2019)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Ugly Sweater 5K?
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $5 before processing fees, and rises to $35 on Nov 1, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Dec 12, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for South Carolina?
- At $30, entry is about 14 percent below a typical 5K in South Carolina, which costs $35 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.
- Where does it start?
- Gills Creek Memorial Park, Columbia, SC 29206.
From the organizers
It's tiiiiiiime! We want to see your ugliest, weirdest, or fanciest holiday ensemble on Saturday, December 12th for the Friends of the Met CAC Ugly Sweater 5K in Forest Acres, SC! Proceeds and donations will benefit Friends of the Met CAC, a non-profit organization established to support the mission of the Metropolitan Children’s Advocacy Center (Met CAC). The Met CAC provides essential services to children who are suspected victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and other types of maltreatment. Your support helps the Met CAC in their fight against child abuse.