Annual Running of the Lights
- Date
- December 8, 2026
- Location
- 4015 Filbert Rd, Mishawaka, IN
- Distance
- Annual Running of the Lights
From the Organizer
Join us December 8, 2026 for a running tour of Winding Brook Park's brilliant display of holiday lights. Winding Brook Park's residents create beautiful light displays each year and take donations for area charities. Fleet Feet Mishawaka is looking to donate a total of $2000 this year. Fleet Feet will start the donations off with $1000 leaving the remaining $1000 up to our amazing running community. We are suggesting a minimum $5 donation per runner to help get us there.
Teddy Bear Trot: In addition to your cash donations, we encourage everyone to bring a stuffed teddy bear, which will be provided to a local Non-profit to give kids an extra hug this holiday season.
Things all participants should consider:
- Register in advance and submit your donation online.
- We will be parking and having check-in at the Walt Disney Elementary School 4015 Filbert Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
- Participants are required to check-in upon arrival. Participants will receive a safety light that they will be required to wear for the duration of the event at check-in for safety and visibility out on the route.
- All participants are expected to follow the traffic signs in order to tour all the houses on display. The traffic signs will have some sort of flashing light hanging on them to make them more noticeable.
- The run will end where it started to allow participants to cross safely at the traffic light back to their vehicles.
- Volunteers will be on the route to help guide you.
- The lights are pretty bright but be sure to bring a light source like a headlamp or knuckle lights to see any potholes or other dips in the road.
- Christmas Light necklaces and other festive wear are 100% encouraged! We get some great pictures with everyone all lit up.
- Strollers are welcome as long as kiddos stay in them.
- We chose a time that isn't as popular with cars, but they are still present. The vehicle traffic is one-way only if they follow the route. We will be running with traffic most of the time, but may also find ourselves running against traffic in some areas.
- Leave the dogs at home, it's too dark and chaotic for our furry friends.
- If you are not feeling well, please stay home! This protects the rest of the participants and our awesome volunteers.
Route Links (coming soon):
3.9 Mile (Full Route)
3.4 Mile (Short Route)
1.4 Mile (Super Short Route)
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
39°
Typical Low
26°
Based on US Climate Normals data from S Bend, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Mishawaka, IN
Population
50,907
as of 2023
Elevation
711 ft
Nearest Airport
SBN
South Bend International Airport · 8 mi
Major Hub
MDW
Chicago Midway International Airport · 82 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Annual Running of the Lights, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
183
Days to train
- Race
- Annual Running of the Lights
- Date
- December 8, 2026
- Location
- 4015 Filbert Rd, Mishawaka, IN
Coming Up
More Running races near Mishawaka, IN
Bacon Around the Bend 5K
5K
5 miles away
5k Color Run 2026!
5K
5 miles away
Titan Takeoff 5k & 1 Mile
5K
5 miles away
Running Wild 5K Run & 3K Scavenger Hunt Walk
5K
5 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Annual Running of the Lights?
- Annual Running of the Lights is a running race held in Mishawaka, Indiana on December 8, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Annual Running of the Lights?
- Tuesday, December 8, 2026 in Mishawaka, Indiana at 4015 Filbert Rd, Mishawaka, IN. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Annual Running of the Lights?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Annual Running of the Lights
Dec 8, 2026