Jingle Bell Run - Pittsburgh, PA

Jingle Bell Run - Pittsburgh, PA is held on December 5, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Three formats start at 8:30 AM: a timed 5K, a 1 Mile (1.6 km) and a kids run. The event supports the Arthritis Foundation, welcomes runners and walkers of every level, and every entry comes with a t-shirt, jingle bells and a medal. Holiday costumes are part of the tradition.

The mile is a rare and interesting format: short enough to run nearly flat out, long enough that a reckless first quarter will cost you. If you want to race it, go through the opening 400 meters slightly slower than goal pace and let the last stretch be the fast part. The 5K remains the most versatile option on the program, hard enough to feel like a real effort but easy to recover from. With a kids run on the same schedule, the whole family can be done before mid-morning.