Selfless Elf 5k
Selfless Elf 5k is a running race on December 19, 2026 in Akron, OH.
- Date
- December 19, 2026 (158 days to go)
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
Dress in your favorite, festive holiday-themed costume or running gear and join us for the 14th annual Selfless Elf 5k run/walk benefiting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Enjoy a morning of fun for the entire family while supporting local hunger relief.
Race Details
- Team registration and a new team award for the fastest 4-person or larger team!
- The race will have two separate categories during registration - running and competitive walking.
- Run/Walk If you plan to run/jog during any portion of the race, please register as a run/walk.
- Competitive Walkers If you plan to walk 100% of the course in its entirety (no running/jogging), please register as a competitive walker.
- The race will be chip-timed at both the start and finish lines to achieve the most accurate race results possible.
- Both runners and competitive walkers will begin at 8am but will have different bib colors to distinguish between the categories.
- If you need to update your registration or switch a runner/walker, please contact us. Transfers are allowed prior to the event's start.
- All participants will receive a long-sleeve race t-shirt and striped elf socks.
- For the safety of our participants and spectators, this is a dog-free event.
- Awards will be distributed at the conclusion of the event. Stop by the awards booth inside the warehouse to pick up your prize if you placed in your age group. Live results will be available on the RunToYou App, so you can check to see if you're an age group winner.
Race Day Schedule - Saturday, December 19, 2026:
6:30am - Race Day Packet Pickup
8:00am - Start 5k Run/Walk & Competitive Walk
9:15am - 5k Run/Walk Awards & Additional Awards
9:30am - 5k Competitive Walk Awards
5k Run/Walk Awards:
- Top Male & Female Overall
- Top 3 Male & 3 Female per Age Group in 0-9, 10-14, 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 & Up
5k Competitive Walk Awards:
- Top Male & Female Overall
- Top 3 Male & 3 Female per Age Group in 0-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Up
Additional Awards:
- Most Dashing (Best dressed)
- Top VIP Elf (Top fundraiser)
- Fastest 4-Person Team
Host City
About Akron, OH
Population
189,526
as of 2023
City Elevation
986 ft
Nearest Airport
CAK
Akron Canton Regional Airport · 12 mi
Major Hub
CLE
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport · 28 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 Selfless Elf 5k, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
158
Days to train
- Race
- Selfless Elf 5k
- Date
- December 19, 2026
Plan your trip
Make it a Racecation
Coming from out of town? There's more to Akron than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to AkronComing Up
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Selfless Elf 5k
Dec 19, 2026