Ugly Sweater 5k
- Date
- December 5, 2026
- Location
- Lansing, MI, Lansing, MI
- Distance
- Ugly Sweater 5k · Ugly Sweater Virtual 5k
From the Organizer
Ugly Sweater 5K: A Fun Run to Support Greater Lansing Food Bank & Feeding America.
Sign up to receive our Ugly Sweater 5k sweater and lace up your running shoes for the Ugly Sweater 5K, a fun run benefiting Feeding America (virtual runners) and local food banks (local in-person runners)!
During the past two years, it has become clear that inflation and food prices are exacerbating hunger across America. According to a 2023 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2023 report, the number of people living in food insecure households in the U.S. in 2022 increased to 44 million. This is an increase of more than 30 percent for all individuals and 40 percent for children compared the previous year — the highest rate and number since 2014 and the largest one-year increase in food insecurity since 2008. (Greater Lansing Food Bank, 2023 Annual Report)
Join runners, walkers, and festive fitness lovers across the country as we come together to fight hunger—one stride at a time. Register for our in person and professionally timed event on December 5, 2026 or join virtually - Whether you hit the treadmill, jog through your neighborhood, or take a scenic route at your local park, you can complete the 5K anytime.
How It Works:
🎄 Select your race: in-person or virtual. Register online and receive your Ugly Sweater, race bib and participant packet.
🎄 When registering as VIRTUAL, select shipping add-on to have your packet shipped to you or plan to pick your packet up in person at Playmakers in Okemos, MI date TBD.
🎄 Run or walk your 5K (3.1 miles) at your own pace, wherever you choose or join us in person - location to be announced in early 2026.
🎄 Virtual runners: Report your time to Run Sign Up by December 5th at 12 PM.
🎄 Show off your ugly sweater and share your run on social media using #UglySweater5K on our social page.
🎄 Make an impact—a portion of your registration fee goes directly to Feeding America and local food banks to help provide meals to families in need this holiday season.
🎁 Swag: Cable Knit Ugly Sweater, finisher medal and custom event bib.
🎁 Refreshments: hot coffee, cocoa and cookies available at the finish line!
🎁 Run for Free: start a fundraiser during registration, raise $200 and have your registration refunded to you!
🎁 Bonus: The best ugly sweater photos will be featured on our event page, and top fundraisers will win special prizes!
Let’s make spirits bright, spread holiday cheer, and take steps to fight hunger. Sign up today and help us make a difference!
📍 Where: To Be Announced.
📅 When: December 5, 2026
💙 Why: Because no one should go hungry this holiday season.
Register opens Spring 2026!
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°
Chance of Rain
44%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Lansing Capital City Ap, 4 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Lansing, MI
Population
112,546
as of 2023
Elevation
864 ft
Nearest Airport
LAN
Capital Region International Airport · 4 mi
Major Hub
GRR
Gerald R. Ford International Airport · 50 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 Ugly Sweater 5k, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
More Running races near Lansing, MI
Mayor's River Walk and Run 5K
5K
Less than a mile away
Twilight Run
Less than a mile away
Lansing Juneteenth 5k Run/Walk/Roll
5K
Less than a mile away
Trail Town 10K & 5K
10K · 5K
Less than a mile 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 Ugly Sweater 5k?
- Ugly Sweater 5k is a running race held in Lansing, Michigan on December 5, 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 Ugly Sweater 5k?
- Saturday, December 5, 2026 in Lansing, Michigan at Lansing, MI, Lansing, MI. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Ugly Sweater 5k?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Ugly Sweater 5k
Dec 5, 2026