Utah Santa Run - Provo

Utah Santa Run - Provo is held in Salem, Utah, on December 5, 2026, with both formats starting at 4:15 PM: a 5K (3.1 miles) and a shorter 1.55-mile run. The course loops around Salem Pond, and participants receive a Santa suit to run in. Volunteers dressed as elves staff the aid stations with milk and cookies, and the route takes in the Christmas lights around the pond, including a stretch across the bridge.

A late-afternoon start in a Utah winter means you will finish in the dark and in the cold, which is exactly what makes the lights work. Dress for standing around at the start as well as for running, and expect the Santa suit to be warmer than it looks. Neither distance demands a training plan: if you can run or walk for 30 to 45 minutes, you are ready for the 5K.