2026 Little Debbie® Christmas Tree Cake Run

’Tis the season to put on your running shoes! Presented by the Collegedale Commons Foundation and our community partners, and sponsored by Little Debbie® snack cakes, the 2026 Little Debbie® Christmas Tree Cake Run features a ½-marathon, 7-mile and 5K (with virtual options available), a separate 5K walk and our fan-favorite Kids’ Dash. Wear your best Christmas race gear and capture the moment with our Little Debbie costume character!

Don’t miss out on run day — stop by our sponsor booths to snag free swag and enter to win big, including several $150 store gift cards from both Radcliffe’s Run/Walk of Chattanooga and Terra Running of Cleveland.

Bringing the family? The Kids’ Zone is a great spot for little ones to enjoy an inflatable obstacle course, petting zoo, touch-a-truck and yard games. Please ensure children are supervised by an adult at all times.

Also, the City of Collegedale will host their annual Christmas in Collegedale event the same day, same location, from 3 p.m.-dusk, culminating in a tree lighting ceremony.

This event is capped at 500, including all virtual participants
● ½-marathon – (Repeats some of the 7-mile run. 3.5 hour time limit. Must be completed by 11:30 a.m.)
● 7-mile run
● 5K run
● 5K walk
● Kids’ dash

Assisting with the event will be veterans from the American Legion, the VFW and the National Guard. The Ooltewah High School JROTC will also be on hand. Toys for Tots will also be on hand collecting new, unwrapped toys to make Christmas brighter for a needy child in our community. 

Where: The Commons in Collegedale, 4950 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, Tenn., 37363 

Date: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026
Start times for runs and walk, EST
● 7-mile run: 8 a.m.
● ½ marathon: 8:03 a.m.
● 5K run: 8:15 a.m.
● Kids’ dash, .5K (2-10 years old): 8:18 a.m.
● 5K walk: 8:35 a.m.

Participant Perks & Awards
● Swag: Every participant, except Kids’ Dash, receives a branded shirt, a goody bag with Little Debbie® snacks, and their choice of a Little Debbie Christmas Tree ornament.
● Awards: All finishers earn a medal. Top male and female overall finishers and 1st–3rd place (male/female) in each category receive distinct ribbons.
● Age Groups (½-marathon, 7-mile and 5K): 11–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70+. Children under age 11 may run in the 5K, 7-mile or ½-marathon, but will not be eligible for place or overall finisher medals.

Note: Virtual participants will receive their packet with branded run shirt, Christmas Tree ornament and finisher medal by Dec. 31, 2026.

Packet Pick Up
● Thursday, Dec. 3, from 3-6 p.m. at the Little Debbie Bakery Store, located at 9515 Apison Pike, Collegedale, Tenn., 37315
● Sunday, Dec. 6, race day at the Commons in Collegedale, beginning at 6 a.m. Charitable beneficiary

Proceeds will benefit the Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park. Great news! Our 2026 Little Debbie® 7 Fun Run runners helped raise
more than $3,000 for the Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park.

Parking
Plenty of free parking spaces near Little Debbie Park, Imagination Station, Commons in Collegedale and the public parking lot on Ooltewah-Ringgold Road.

Public restrooms:
● Little Debbie Park pavilion
● Outside Commons
● Imagination Station pavilion
● Parks & Recreation Office Building, across the creek from the fish pond
● Thatcher Switch Recreation and Playground
● Economic Development building, next to Nature Nook parking area Event specific information
● Start/finish at the 10+ acre Little Debbie Park and the Commons in Collegedale. This family-friendly beautiful park has pavilions, a playground and restrooms. Pavilions and the Founder’s Hall building offer great cover during inclement weather
● Kids’ dash on wide, continuous, visible sidewalk loop in Little Debbie Park

● The 5K walk is not on the greenway — instead, walkers will make six loops on the sidewalk adjacent to the Little Debbie Park.
● ½- marathon, 7-mile and 5K runs mostly on Collegedale’s scenic greenway, including going next to Collegedale’s beautiful Veterans Park, around a pond, through a tunnel, beside a creek, under bridges, etc.
● Little Debbie costumed character on-hand to meet and greet friends and family
● No busy road crossings

Run and walk routes
● ½-marathon: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53290920 (Repeats some of 7-mile)
● 7-mile: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53290922
● 5K (Timed): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53290928
● 5K Walk (Untimed): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53290927 (Multi-loop)
● Kids Race: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53290906

Additional details
● For the comfort and safety of all participants, please refrain from bringing pets. Service animals welcome.
● This event will take place rain/shine. No refunds allowed. & Due to the upfront nature of event costs, we have a uniform policy of no refunds, transfers to another runner or to a different distance, or deferrals to a future year. We know that plans change and
unexpected things come up, but we feel it is most fair to apply a uniform policy to all, instead of an arbitrary line of who merits a refund and who doesn't. Thank you for understanding.
● Please note: Mailing of virtual participant packets is restricted to addresses within the 50 U.S. states.