Running of the Elves
Running of the Elves is a running race on December 6, 2026 in Hillsborough, NC, with an entry fee of $20.
- Date
- December 6, 2026 (100 days to go)
- Price
- $20
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
Hillsborough Running Club is proud to present the 7th annual Running of the Elves event.
Run in front of the Hillsborough Holiday Parade crowd. The race starts 10 minutes before the Parade begins, and follows the same route. Experience the joy of running fast downhill in front of thousands of cheering people.
Elf themed. Each participant has the option to select an Elf t-shirt, an Elf hat, and bells.
You are expected to wear these during the run. We want to see a sea of Elves running though town. Please make sure you know where your shirt and hat are and that they fit. If you forgot to order during registration, or you find you cannot locate them from last year, use the Store menu to order what you need.
If you have a favorite Elf costume, feel free to wear that instead.
This is a 1 mile, fast, downhill (mostly) timed and themed race.
Date: 6th December 2026
Time: 4.00pm race start
Start location - on Mitchell Street downtown Hillsborough (between Caine and Queen Streets)
Finish location - Churton Street, outside the Historic Courthouse
Chip timed
Race entry before add ons (shirt, hat, bells) is $20.00
Bib/Shirt/Hat pick up
Saturday 5th December, Farmers Market Pavilion, 1-4pm
Sunday 6th December, 3-3.45pm corner of Mitchell and Queen Streets near the start line, prior to the race [do not wait until after 3.30pm to arrive, or may not make the start in time]
Parking
Hillsborough will be busy, so do not wait too long to arrive. Main parking areas are the parking deck next to Weaver Street Market on Nash and Kollock Street, or River Park Elementary School on St. Marys Road (close to the start area)
Pets and Stollers are welcome, but please keep moving, as the Parade will be underway as soon as the last person makes the turn onto Churton Street.
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
55°
Typical Low
34°
Chance of Rain
32%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Durham 11 W, 7 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Hillsborough, NC
City Elevation
538 ft
Nearest Airport
RDU
Raleigh-Durham International Airport · 22 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Running of the Elves, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
100
Days to train
- Race
- Running of the Elves
- Date
- December 6, 2026
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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 an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More Running races near Hillsborough, NC
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Less than a mile away
Eno River Run
10K · From $45 · Eno River State Park (Fews Ford Access Area)
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Birds of a Feather Trail Trot
2 Mile / 3K · 5K · 10K · From $36 · 161 Salt Cedar Lane
9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Running of the Elves?
When and where is the Running of the Elves?
How do I register for the Running of the Elves?
Running of the Elves
Dec 6, 2026