Running of the Lights

Running of the Lights opens the year in Clemmons, North Carolina, on January 1, 2027, with the gun at midnight, timed to the Times Square countdown. Two formats are on offer, both open to runners and walkers: a 5K (3.1 miles) and a 1.75 Mile Fun Run/Walk (2.8 km), routed through the grounds lit up by the Tanglewood Festival of Lights. Hot chocolate and snacks wait at the finish.

The hour is the real feature of this race. Running at midnight means reshaping the day around it, with a light evening meal and, if you can manage it, a nap in the late afternoon. Neither distance is long enough to need specific preparation, so this works as a family outing or a gentle restart after the holidays rather than a performance. Dress to be visible, and bring a dry layer to pull on the moment you cross the line, because standing around afterward gets cold quickly.