Elf On The Run 5 K/Walk

Elf On The Run 5 K/Walk takes place in Ridgeland, South Carolina, on December 12, 2026. One format is listed: a 5K run and walk (3.1 miles) starting at 9:00 AM, with runners and walkers setting off together.

Small-town 5Ks like this one are worth using as a marker in the calendar. Run it in December and you get an honest read on your current fitness before the new year, without the commitment of a long training block; the distance takes most people between 20 and 45 minutes, and recovery is quick enough that your normal week is barely disrupted. If you want to run it well, four weeks of running three or four times a week with one faster session is the simplest preparation. If you are walking, a 9:00 AM start is comfortable and the distance is manageable without any specific build.