Jingle Bell Run - Raleigh, NC

Jingle Bell Run - Raleigh, NC takes place on December 5, 2026 in Cary, North Carolina. Two formats start at 9:00 AM: a 5K and the untimed Kids' Reindeer 1-Mile Dash (1.6 km). It is a festive charity event put on by the Arthritis Foundation, where participants are invited to wear holiday outfits and run, walk or stroll with friends and family to raise awareness of arthritis.

Because the kids' mile is untimed and the 5K is short, this is an easy first race to sign up for as a household. If you are new to the distance, aim to finish running rather than to hit a number; three easy runs a week for a month, one of them a little longer, is enough preparation. Experienced runners can still race it hard, but with holiday costumes and walkers on course, expect a crowded first few hundred meters and plan to pass patiently.