Jingle Bell Run - Metro DC

Jingle Bell Run - Metro DC is held in Washington, District of Columbia, on December 6, 2026. Two events are listed at 8:00 a.m.: the Back-to-Back Bells over 5K, and a Kids Run whose distance is not specified. The morning follows the codes of this December series, holiday outfits and bells on your shoes, and it doubles as a fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation, with a shirt and a medal included in the entry.

A 5K in the capital lends itself to a sustained effort from the first stride to the last, which makes it a good distance for practicing even pacing without the training load a half marathon imposes. Runners who are not used to winter conditions should build in a progressive warm-up and wear layers that come off easily. The children's race at the same time means the whole family can be done within a single slot in the day.