A Merry Christmas Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON

A Merry Christmas Run 5K/10K/13.1 CHICAGO/EVANSTON lines up in Chicago, Illinois, on the morning of December 26, 2026. The half marathon (13.1 miles), the 10K, the 5K and a one-mile family fun run all begin at 7:30 a.m., with waves released at set times. Runners and walkers are equally at home here, and each entry includes a race shirt, a finisher medal and a digital training kit sent to your address.

A race at the end of December asks a specific question of your training: have you kept running through the month, or did the block end with the fall season? If the answer is the former, the half is an achievable target on twelve weeks of steady mileage with one long run a week. If not, the 10K is the honest choice and still gets you the medal. Whichever you enter, the shared 7:30 a.m. start keeps a mixed group together at the beginning of the morning.