Santa Scramble 5K

Santa Scramble 5K takes place in Concord, North Carolina, in Cabarrus County, on November 21, 2026, with the 5K starting at 2:00 p.m. The race combines running with year-end festivities, as it coincides with the Concord Christmas Parade. The event features a unique course and is a pleasant way to celebrate the start of the holiday season.

An afternoon 5K tied to a holiday parade is a festive outing rather than a straightforward time trial, which makes it a great choice for families, groups of friends, and runners who enjoy a lively atmosphere. That said, if you want to run it fast, the 2:00 p.m. start is worth planning around: eat a proper breakfast, keep lunch light and early, and jog for ten minutes before the start. Preparation for 3.1 miles is simple in either case: a month of three easy runs a week for newcomers, or six weeks with one weekly interval session for runners chasing a time. Then relax and enjoy the holiday mood.