William H. Craig Race for Life 5K and 10K
- Date
- December 6, 2026
- Distance
- 5K · 10K · Girls on the Run - STRIDE Run Buddy Registration & more
From the Organizer
Join us for the William H. Craig Race for Life 5K and 10K
🎄✨ Feel the magic of Christmas at the William H. Craig Race for Life 5K & 10K—the oldest and largest holiday race in the Cape Fear Region!
We promise SNOW (yes, even at the beach!) along with snowball fights, elves, Santa, hot chocolate, and plenty of holiday cheer. Whether you’re running for fun or chasing a PR, this race has something for everyone.
👟 Competitive runners will love the fast, flat course around the campus of UNCW.
👟 Elementary, Middle, and High School teams can join in the holiday spirit—what better way to celebrate the season than running together?
👟 Families, friends, and festive runners can enjoy the tradition, the magic, and the memories that come with it.
So gather your friends, your most festive holiday running attire and join use for this celebration of wellness, community, and Christmas magic!
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
62°
Typical Low
40°
Chance of Rain
31%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Wilmington 7 Se, 4 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Wilmington, NC
Population
118,578
as of 2023
Elevation
38 ft
Nearest Airport
ILM
Wilmington International Airport · 5 mi
Major Hub
MYR
Myrtle Beach International Airport · 70 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 William H. Craig Race for Life 5K and 10K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
181
Days to train
- Race
- William H. Craig Race for Life 5K and 10K
- Date
- December 6, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Wilmington, NC
2026 Eric Lacewell Memorial Golf Tournament
Less than a mile away
Run Global 5K
5K
Less than a mile away
Every Step Counts Charity Run/Walk
Less than a mile away
Without Limits Track Series
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.
The 10K is the distance where running stops feeling like a starting point and starts feeling like a sport. Long enough to require a real training block. Short enough that race day is fully manageable for a first-timer who's put in the work.
Race day energy at a 10K is community at its best — strangers cheering you by name, people moving toward the same goal, an atmosphere that solo training can't replicate. It's fast enough that you'll spend the whole race pushing rather than managing your effort.
This is also the distance that builds the base for everything else. Most athletes who go on to run half marathons, do triathlons, or compete in HYROX started here. What you need: running shoes fitted to your stride, a training plan, and the race on your calendar. The registration is what makes the deadline real.
How long to train: 4–8 weeks for most fitness levels.
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 William H. Craig Race for Life 5K and 10K?
- William H. Craig Race for Life 5K and 10K is a running race held in Wilmington, North Carolina on December 6, 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 William H. Craig Race for Life 5K and 10K?
- Sunday, December 6, 2026 in Wilmington, North Carolina at UNCW Greene Track and Field Complex, Wilmington, NC. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the William H. Craig Race for Life 5K and 10K?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
William H. Craig Race for Life 5K and 10K
Dec 6, 2026