Mark Your Calendar for December 9, 2023!

Santa Run 5K Presented By

Ultra-Cool Mile Presented By

The Santa Run 5K

• ​Everyone 13 and older runs or walks a 5K in a Santa suit (included in your race packet) on the State Capitol Grounds on Saturday, December 9 at 10 AM.
• Race will be chip timed.
• Warm post-race refreshments and treats will be provided after the race.​
  • ​Includes hot cider, hot cocoa, coffee, water, bananas, caramel rolls, and cookies.
• For a map of the Santa Run 5K race course, click here.

The Ultra-Cool Mile

• Don't feel up to running a 5K, but might be more comfortable participating in a shorter distance?
• The Santa Run gives runners the option to run or walk the "Ultra-Cool Mile" race while still receiving the full race swag packet!
• It's a grand total of 1.3 miles!
• Race will have an electronic clock available.  
• Warm post-race refreshments and treats will be provided after the race.
  • ​Includes hot cider, hot cocoa, coffee, water, bananas, caramel rolls, and cookies.
• ​For a map of the Ultra-Cool Mile race course, click here.​

Schedule of Events on Saturday, December 9th

• Music and Announcements begin - 9:00 AM
• The Making of a Snow Sculpture with Team North Dakota (Lecture Room B) - 9:00-9:30 AM
• Race Day Registration (Russell Reid Auditorium) - 9:00-9:30 AM
• Children's Story Time with Miss Sparkles (Great Plains Theatre) - 9:15 AM
• Legacy Choir (Northern Lights Atrium) - 9:15 AM
• Pre-Race Ceremony - 9:45 AM
• ​Santa Run 5K - 10:00 AM
• Ultra-Cool Mile - 10:10 AM
• Post-Race Reception - 10:30 AM
• Door Prize Drawings (Northern Lights Atrium) - 10:45 AM

Registration Fee:

• Registration opens October 1st!
• Registration October 1 – through October 31: $30
• Registration November 1 through December 7: $35
• Race Day Registration: $50
• All net proceeds go to benefit RADD (Runner’s Against Destructive Decisions) and the recovery community - learn more about the great work RADD does here.  ​

Registration Includes:

• Santa Suit​
  • Note: Santa Suits guaranteed to the first 650 registrants of all races. Plus sized Santa Suits available upon request. 
• Commemorative 10th Anniversary Finisher's Mug
• Friday Evening Presentation featuring “The Courage to Run with Chip Gaines and Gabe Grunewald” with comments by Dr. Justin Grunewald (limited to the first 200 who RSVP)

Available for Purchase:

• 10th Anniversary Santa Run Long-Sleeve Hooded Tee ($15)
• Santa Run Beanie ($10)

Need to Know Information:

• Packet Pickup
  • Packets will be available for pick up at the Hub (321 S 1st St) from Wednesday, December 6th - Friday, December 8th from 10:00 AM to 6 PM.
  • If you are unavailable to pick up your race packet, we can ship it to you. When you register please scroll down to "Shipping" and select the number of race swag packages you need shipped. Each package will be shipped for a fee of $10. 
  • Packets will not be available for pickup on race day unless special request submitted. 
• ​Parking
  • Runners are asked to park in the east parking lot of the Highway Department Building.
• Restrooms 
  • Restrooms are available to the general public in the Heritage Center.
• Other Info​​​
  • The Santa Run 5K and Ultra-Cool Mile will start and finish on the road near the east entrance to the Heritage Center.
  • Every runner 13 and older will run in a Santa suit.
  • Runners 12 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.​
  • Donate your gently used running shoes to RADD. There will be a donation bin in the east lobby of the Heritage Center.

How to Win Prizes!

• The 5K race will be chip timed, and while there won’t be any place finisher awards, by supporting individuals in recovery from addiction and cancer, you are all winners in our hearts. ❤️ Race results for the 5K will be posted on the website after the race.
• Door Prizes
  • ​All race participants and volunteers are eligible to win door prizes. You will need to fill out a registration slip in Santa’s Workshop on race day to register and you must be present to win.  Door prize drawings will take place at 10:45 am in the Northern Lights Atrium.
• The Santa Run Photo Contest!
  • Prizes will be given to individuals in the following categories: 
    • Most Fun Photo or Video
    • Best Group Photo or Video​
  • Submit a photo or video from any/all categories on Facebook or Instagram and tag us (@bismarcksantarun) or send them through email at [email protected]
  • Make sure to wear your Santa suit when running to be eligible!
  • Deadline for submission is Friday, Dec. 15.
  • ​Note: In submitting a selfie, photo, or video, you agree to allow The Bismarck Santa Run to share your picture on The Bismarck Santa website or other Bismarck Santa Run social media sites.  
  • Winners will be contacted by email.​