FTC Jingle Bell Jog 5k and Holiday Social

FTC Jingle Bell Jog 5k and Holiday Social is held in Gainesville, Florida, on December 19, 2026, with the 5K starting at 8:00 a.m. As the name suggests, the running is only half of it: the race is paired with a holiday social, so the morning is built as much around staying afterward as around the three miles themselves.

That format suits a club-style effort — race it honestly, then stick around rather than driving off the moment you cross the line. For a December 5K, the most useful preparation is simply keeping your weekly mileage steady through the holidays and adding one faster session, such as six repeats of 800 meters, in each of the three weeks beforehand. Beginners can walk sections without holding anyone up.