Jingle Bell 5K is a running race on December 12, 2026 in Roanoke, VA, with an entry fee of $25.
This December 2026, join us for the resurrection of the beloved Roanoke winter race: the Jingle Bell 5K! This event features a flat and (mostly) flat course along the Roanoke River Greenway with ample space at the start/finish line for celebrating the season. Finisher "medals" will be custom ornaments with the event logo and year, and participants who register by November 10 will also earn a cozy event BoCo gear beanie. This is a chip-timed race by Run Roanoke timing, and all results will be posted on the Run Roanoke website after race day as well as a day-of live text of results. Don't let the "race" name scare you away- this event is a family-friendly fitness outing! After you finish, participants may purchase coffee or hot chocolate from the Covenant Coffee truck or enjoy finish line snacks as you await your friends and family crossing the finish line. More details forthcoming on additional finish line festivities and register early! Registration increases are incremental through race day. There is a "no frills" option for those looking to find a budget-friendly way to bring the whole family (and there will be an option to add-on the cute event beanie if you want one to share as a family). Read on for more details on the no-frills option!
If you would like to register a team/group of ten or more people, please email info@runaboutroanoke.com for more information.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY 'NO FRILLS' REGISTRATIONS
Participants may elect to register as a family of four or five (No Frills Family Signup) to participate in the Jingle Bell 5K. No frills registrations mean participants receive a chip-timed bib and finisher ornament ONLY- no event beanie- but are still eligible for age-group and overall awards. Event shirts may be available for purchase on or after race day.
To access the "no frills" registrations, select the event for which you wish to register (in-person or virtual 5K), add the first registrant, then select "Add Another Registrant" to add up to four additional participants under the first. Next, select "No Frills Family of Four/Five" under Multi-Person Pricing. Your reduced registration fee will populate after the fourth participant has been added to your signup. You can add up to five individuals under one "No Frills" signup transaction.
With the No Frills option, you can register as parents/children or as teammates, coworkers, church community members, whatever group you would like. The registration details remain the same: you and up to four other individuals receive a reduced registration fee, but those listed in the No Frills signup designation with you do not receive an event shirt or participant finisher medal if applicable.
For questions about registering for the No Frills option, please email info@runaboutroanoke.com .
PACKET PICKUP INFORMATION:
Friday, December 11, 2026
11am-6pm, RunAbout Sports Roanoke, 3635 Franklin Road Roanoke, VA 24014 (Store closes 6pm)
(540) 989-2064 - store phone number
Saturday, December 12, 2026
7:45am-8:30am, 210 Reserve Avenue (Race Location), Roanoke, VA 24014
(540) 492-2101 (emergency contact only)
RACEDAY INFORMATION:
Participants, spectators, and friends may arrive any time after 7:45am on Saturday, December 12 at 210 Reserve Avenue. Parking is available at the race location, on adjacent streets, or the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine parking garage located at 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016. This event is RAIN OR SHINE. Onsite registration will be available from 7:45am-8:30am, the race begins at 9am, and the award ceremony will begin at approximately 10:15am. If you win an age-group award and you are not present at the ceremony to retrieve it, you may stop by RunAbout Sports Roanoke during business hours the following week to pick-up your award.
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
51°
Typical Low
32°
Chance of Rain
29%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Roanoke Rgnl Ap, 5 mi from the venue.
Population
98,677
as of 2023
City Elevation
968 ft
Nearest Airport
ROA
Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport · 3 mi
Major Hub
GSO
Piedmont Triad 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.
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Jingle Bell 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
62
Days to train
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Jingle Bell 5K
Dec 12, 2026