Renee's Sandbox

Renee's Sandbox is a New Year's Eve 5K in Wilmington, North Carolina, run on December 31, 2026. The event has a single format, a 5K (3.1 miles), with an unusual start time of 12:04 p.m. Elevation gain is not listed for the course.

An early-afternoon start is the friendliest slot a winter 5K can have: you have time for a normal breakfast, the day has warmed up a little, and you are not standing in the dark. Coastal North Carolina is generally mild at the end of December, though a breeze off the river can make it feel sharper, so bring a layer for before and after. If you are racing it, jog for 10 minutes and add three or four strides so the first half mile does not catch you flat; if you are running it for fun, the distance takes almost no preparation and leaves you fresh for the evening.