Rotary Santa Run 5K & 1 mile Family Fun Walk & Elf kids run

Evansville Rotary’s elves are busy preparing for the Santa Run on Saturday, 12/5/2026

The 13th annual Evansville Rotary Santa Run!!

Join us for the 9AM for the CANNON start from Buffalo Trace Council’s
Eykamp Scout Center,
3501 E. Lloyd Expressway, Evansville.

Note parking is in the near vicinity, but not available at the Eykamp Scout Center, so plan ahead. We’ll run (or walk) through the beautiful east-side Evansville residential neighborhoods, and you may just see friends and neighbors (and carolers), Evansville’s own The Boom Squad, and Evansville Mounted Police (or is that Central Park Rangers?) cheering you along. Stick around a bit after for award presentation while you enjoy Donut Bank donut balls, apples or bananas from Houchin Industries, and hot chocolate or coffee and other treats..

Prizes are available for the jolliest of Santa suits. We encourage embellishing your full five piece Santa suit you’ll pick up FRIDAY, 12/4/26 at Eykamp Scout Center, 11amA-6pm or before the race Saturday.

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Date and Location
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The 5K run and 1 mile walk will be held on Saturday morning, December 5, 2026 at 9 am. The 5K race will begin at the Buffalo Trace Council, 3501 E Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN and travel west to Vann Ave and winds through east-side neighborhoods of Evansville. The course is relatively flat.

For those participants who would rather stroll the 1 mile course, it will begin at the Buffalo Trace Council and lead you over the pedestrian bridge and back to the start, which is away from the running Santa's.

Beginning at 8:30am is the Santa Elf kids run from 50 meters to 150 meters for kids ages 1-9.  All finishers of the kids run will receive a medal.
1-3 years old - 50 meters
4-6 years old - 100 meters
7-9 years old - 150 meters

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Awards
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The Santa Elf kids run from 50 meters to 150 meters for kids ages 1-9.  All finishers of the kids run will receive a medal.

5K Awards : Overall Fastest Male and Female will receive a trophy.
Age Groups First place male and female winners in these age groups will receive a medal
1-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

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Most Spirited Award
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5 awards total – First place prizes will be awarded to individuals in these categories:
Families, Teams, Kids (1-9 years of age), Young adults ( ages 10-18),
and Adults 19+.

Ho Ho Ho!!!
You better watch out… We expect several hundred runners to register and come to town for this Rotary Santa Run. Don’t wait and don’t be late. Registration costs goes up to $35 plus the processing fee after December 1, 2026.

The Santa Elf registration stays at $ 5 per child.

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Packet Pickup Location
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Your Santa suit, race bib number and registration packets will be available to pick up on Friday, December 4 from 11am to 6pm in the lobby of the Buffalo Trace Council, 3501 E Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN or on RACE Day, December 5 at the Buffalo Trace Council from 7am to 8:30am, the start of the race.
They will not be mailed to you. 

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Late & Final Registration
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If you have not registered for the Rotary Santa Run and decide to get in on all the fun at the last minute, you can register at lobby of the Buffalo Trace Council, 3501 E Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN on Friday, December 4  from 11am to 6pm or on the race date December 5 from 7am to 8:30am, the start of the race.
You will need to fill out one registration form for each participant. You may pay by cash or check and the cost is $35 per participant. 

 You will receive your Santa suit, your race bib number and registration packet. Hopefully, we will have still have Santa suits available.

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Registration on Race Day!
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Come join us on Race Day, December 5 in the lobby of the Buffalo Trace Council, 3501 E Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN from 7 am to the time of the race. You may pay by cash or check and the cost is $35 per person.  Ho Ho Ho- Hope you won’t be too late to get your Santa suit.
(1st 800 registrants get a Santa suit to wear during the run/walk.)

PLEASE NOTE: All registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable.
All registered participants will receive a 5-piece Santa suit that is YOURS to keep! (While supply lasts)

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Race Day
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The race must go on!!!
There will be no cancellations for inclement weather.
After all, Santa wouldn’t cancel Christmas for a little snow!

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Timing
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The race will be officially timed by “To the Finish.” Results will be posted at www.tothefinishtiming.com. 

Strollers? Dogs? Etc???
Strollers may be used in the 5K, but in the event of inclement weather please use caution to keep any children safe. Bicycles and strollers are allowed in the 1-mile walk. Dogs, cats, lions, reindeer's and bears, as well as, skates, skateboards and scooters are NOT ALLOWED in any of the races. 

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Parking
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Parking will be available at marked lots on the Buffalo Trace Council property and the State Hospital property. Please obey parking signs. Please do not park on the busy streets surrounding the Buffalo Trace Council, as your car may interfere with the runners and the holiday traffic.