Ugly Sweater 5K Run and Sweater Stroll 2026
- Date
- December 5, 2026
- Distance
- 5K Run or Walk · Sweater Stroll- 1.5 mile
From the Organizer
The Elkhart Education Foundation is excited to host the annual Ugly Sweater 5K Run/Walk and 1.5 Mile Sweater Stroll. This is a fun-filled event for every person: the serious runner, the recreational jogger, walkers, and our furry friends!
Wear your tackiest sweater and you may win the Ugliest Sweater Contest.
The 5K Run and Walk is timed, the 1.5 mile walk is not. Race entry fee includes race experience, custom hat, Jumbotron, Finisher medals for all costume awards, Gym to stay warm in before and after, course support and post race hot cocoa and treats!
Prior to the race, take some fun pics at the photo booth and we'll capture your picture in your outfit!
At the finish line, enjoy hot chocolate from a student-led food truck for $3, granola bars, water and water!
Reminder of new location and route in 2026:
If you missed the event last year, please note that we have moved to a larger venue where we can be indoors before and after!
The race has moved to North Side Middle School, 300 East Lawrence, Elkhart which is basically on the corner of Main Street and Bristol! There is plenty of room to be inside before or after the race in this spacious gym!
The scenic course will include much of the same area as last year that people enjoyed, through some charming small parks.
You never know what the weather is going to be like in December, and thankfully we had the larger venue as it was a cold one!
Packet Pickup
Check-in and packet pickup / Onsite Registration
Friday, December 4 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Elkhart Health & Aquatics in the Community Meeting Rooms, 200 East Jackson, Elkhart.
Saturday, December 5 at North Side Middle School gym- our NEW LOCATION- 300 Lawrence, Elkhart from 7:00 am - 8:15 am.
Awards
- Finisher medals for everyone!
- Costume awards! Get in on the fun and wear your silliest, funniest sweaters and holiday gear! This is what makes this race so fun! Award categories: Best Male, Best Female, Best Teen, Best Youth, Best Group!
Parking
There is plenty of free parking at North Side. Please follow directions from our parking lot attendants! You will enter and exit on the Bristol Street side so that there is no chance of being close to runners.
Not really a runner or walker but want to help?
We need a lot of volunteers! Perhaps you have a friend or spouse who just isn't into running OR you want to help AND run/walk in the event! Good news! There are a lot of options! Just reach out and let our team know you want to help!
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
40°
Typical Low
26°
Chance of Rain
40%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Goshen 3sw, 10 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Elkhart, IN
Population
53,726
as of 2023
Elevation
749 ft
Nearest Airport
SBN
South Bend International Airport · 18 mi
Major Hub
GRR
Gerald R. Ford International Airport · 86 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 Run and Sweater Stroll 2026, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
180
Days to train
- Race
- Ugly Sweater 5K Run and Sweater Stroll 2026
- Date
- December 5, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Elkhart, IN
Parade 5K Road Run -Elkhart County 4-H Fair
5K
8 miles away
Flyin' Lion 5K
5K
10 miles away
Foot Chase 5k/10k
10K · 5K
10 miles away
Sarah Strong 5K and 1 Mile Kids Fun Run
Youth
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 Run and Sweater Stroll 2026?
- Ugly Sweater 5K Run and Sweater Stroll 2026 is a running race held in Elkhart, Indiana 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 Run and Sweater Stroll 2026?
- Saturday, December 5, 2026 in Elkhart, Indiana at North Side Middle School, Elkhart, IN. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Ugly Sweater 5K Run and Sweater Stroll 2026?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Ugly Sweater 5K Run and Sweater Stroll 2026
Dec 5, 2026