Shortest Day of the Year, Longest Run of Your Life

Shortest Day of the Year, Longest Run of Your Life takes place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on December 19, 2026, with a 7:26 a.m. start. The format is unusual: rather than a fixed distance, you choose your own, so the same event covers a first-timer running a couple of miles and a runner logging a long training effort. The oddly precise start time fits the theme of a day with the least daylight to work with.

Pick your distance before you arrive rather than deciding on the fly, because an open-ended event tempts you into running further than your training supports. A safe rule is to cap the day at what your longest recent run covered, plus a mile or two. Run the first half easier than feels natural, carry something to eat if you will be out longer than 90 minutes, and dress for a start in the dark.