Deck the Heels 5K Night Run

Deck the Heels 5K Night Run is held annually in December in Altavista, Virginia, and the 2026 edition starts at 5:00 p.m. on December 12. The single 5K takes you through town streets decorated with Christmas lights. Festive outfits are encouraged and there are prizes for the best of them, glow accessories are available to add to the atmosphere, and the finish turns into a gathering with Santa, refreshments and music. A virtual option covers anyone who can't attend in person, and the event supports the Claire Parker Foundation, which helps children with cancer and their families.

Twilight road 5Ks reward a longer warm-up than you'd think, since you'll have been sitting most of the day rather than rolling straight out of bed. Ten easy minutes plus a few short strides before the start makes a real difference over 3.1 miles. Beyond that, the preparation is simple: run three or four times a week for a month, add one session with faster segments, and keep the rest easy. It's a distance you can race hard and be recovered from within a couple of days.