Christmas and holiday runs in Iowa 2026
December's holiday runs: jingle bell 5Ks, Santa runs and ugly-sweater races, usually short, often in costume, and a good excuse for a winter race. 11 christmas and holiday runs in Iowa. Dates, distances and how competitive each field is.
- Sat, Dec 5Holiday 5K, 10K, and 13.1MIowa City5K10K
- Sat, Dec 5LeClaire Ugly Christmas Sweater 5KLeClaire5K
- Sat, Dec 5Holiday 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Iowa City, IA (49)Iowa City5K10KHalf marathon
- Sat, Dec 12BMS Ugly Sweater 5KBloomfield5K
- Sat, Dec 12Holiday 5K, 10K, and 13.1MDes Moines5K10K
- Sat, Dec 12Santa Run 5KDes Moines5K
- Sat, Dec 12Holiday 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Des Moines, IA (50)Des Moines5K10KHalf marathon
- Sat, Dec 19Holiday 5K, 10K, and 13.1MBettendorf5K10K
- Sat, Dec 19Holiday 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Bettendorf, IA (51)Bettendorf5K10KHalf marathon
- Sat, Dec 19Polar Run 5K and Reindeer PlungeCenter Junction5K
- Sun, Dec 20Candy Cane Course - Des MoinesAltoona5K10K Local
Christmas and holiday runs by state
Alabama 34Arizona 19Arkansas 22California 75Colorado 18Connecticut 14Delaware 5Washington, DC 9Florida 179Georgia 59Hawaii 6Idaho 4Illinois 33Indiana 19Iowa 11Kansas 8Kentucky 23Louisiana 19Maine 4Maryland 25Massachusetts 17Michigan 36Minnesota 5Mississippi 10Missouri 25Montana 2Nebraska 6Nevada 6New Hampshire 4New Jersey 24New Mexico 2New York 40North Carolina 64North Dakota 2Ohio 48Oklahoma 19Oregon 9Pennsylvania 44Rhode Island 2South Carolina 22South Dakota 1Tennessee 44Texas 124Utah 10Virginia 46Washington 42West Virginia 9Wisconsin 11Wyoming 3
Common questions
How long is a holiday run?
Most are 5Ks: 100% of the christmas and holiday runs in Iowa have one. 7 offer a 10K and 3 offer a Half marathon. Many add a kids' run or a 1-mile walk.
Which holiday run in Iowa has the fastest field?
By past results, Candy Cane Course - Des Moines in Altoona. Field strength compares the front of each race's field with every other race at that distance.
Where would I place in a holiday run?
Open any race with past results and enter your time: raceIQ compares you with that race's past finishers in your age group. With a free account it ranks every race near you by where you'd likely finish.