Races In the Spirit of the Season
‘Tis the season to be … running 26.2 miles? Have a jolly time trading your cowboy boots for a pair of running shoes by participating in a long-distance holiday run. It’s a festive way to end the year — and just think, afterward you can eat as many Christmas cookies as you want, guilt-free.
Here are some of our favorite holiday marathons and half marathons across the state:
Lights of Love 5K — Dec. 4, Mueller/Austin
Kick off the holiday season with the 8th Annual Lights of Love 5K and Family Fun Run. Strollers, walkers, joggers, and runners are welcome to don their best holiday outfits and join the fun on the holiday-inspired course. Also look for kids’ crafts, photos with Santa Claus, festive music, and hot chocolate.
Chocoholic Frolic — Dec. 6, Grand Prairie
This 5K, 10K, and fun run combines two unlikely allies: exercise and chocolate. Participants can look forward to a chocolate stop during the course, and finishers receive melted chocolate and treats for dipping as a post-race reward.
Speedway Candy Cane Classic — Dec. 19, Fort Worth
Come out to Texas Motor Speedway for the Reindeer Dash 1K or Holiday 5K. Participants receive complimentary hot chocolate, pancakes, and popcorn. For a cooldown after the races, runners are treated to a drive-in showing of the classic holiday film Elf on Big Hoss TV.
I Ran Marathons Christmas Lucky 13 — Dec. 23 to Jan. 4, San Antonio
This series of 13 races offers a marathon and half marathon option every day from Dec. 23 until after the New Year. Each day features a different theme, from elves to fairies to jingle bells, and you can choose to run through as many races as your feet will carry you.
New Years Double — Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, Allen
It’s double the miles, double the fun in Allen, where you can challenge yourself to run a marathon or half marathon on both the last day of 2015 and the first day of 2016. Complete the feat and you’ll be the proud recipient of a Challenge Plate, on which you can display both your hard-earned medals.
With daylight saving time making daylight hours few and far between, keep safety and top of mind with these tips and apparel suggestions for visibility.
