Sacramento Santa Run 5K
Sacramento, CA
- 5K, 1 Miler
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Sacramento Santa Run brings a day of fun for the whole family with a 5k Run/Walk and Merry Mile, and a festive finish at the Sacramento Downtown Plaza with cookies (Gingersnap Waffles provided by Honey Stinger), milk, music and snow. We encourage all participants to dress up as Santa … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Dec 19):
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
| H (°F) | 56 | 57 | 64 | 58 | 51 |
| L (°F) | 41 | 45 | 49 | 36 | 31 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Sunny Santa Run
Won a free race entry for 2016 from Yelp Sacramento's Facebook contest. Since I had done this race before, I knew what to expect. Normally $50, I believe there was … MORE
Won a free race entry for 2016 from Yelp Sacramento’s Facebook contest. Since I had done this race before, I knew what to expect.
Normally $50, I believe there was another Livingsocial deal/discount for registration.
Packet pickup this year was at sponsor Pottery World, El Dorado Hills on Thursday and Rocklin on Friday before the race. Beautiful store, very Christmasy. Race t-shirts this year were white (last year green). Race day pickup was at the Capitol starting 2 hours before. 5K was held before the Merry Mile run.
I learned from last year that the Santa Suit doesn’t usually survive the entire run — pants fall down, hats fly off, belts are lost, beards get annoying. This year I kept the jacket, used my own belt and Santa hat, and running bottoms/shoes. If I weren’t running the race for time (5K timed or untimed option) then I could’ve had more fun with the outfit, like having light-up Christmas lights necklace, Ugly Sweater, etc. Certainly was chilly this morning, but dry compared to last year.
Good Day Sacramento, KCRA3, Sacramento Bee were all there as well as the official race photographers, Facchino, to capture the event. Seeing so many Santas in one place is always a blast, especially post-race as Santas wander the streets of midtown.
Timed 5K runners started near the front of the pack. Festive starting area with a “White Christmas” crooner and fake snow (bubbly foam). Similar course, started from the Capitol down Capitol Mall, turning left before the Tower Bridge past Crocker Museum over the freeway. From the marina, follow the trail/railroad tracks along the river to Old Sacramento, then take the tunnel to DoCo (Macy’s/Golden 1 Center). I did not notice any mile markers along the course. The standup paddleboarders were back again near Tower Bridge.
At the finish, there were carolers, and runners got waters, regular or chocolate milk, Honey Stinger waffles (cinnamon and gingersnap flavors, vs. Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies in 2015), and Honey Stingers gummies (orange blossom, grapefruit), and mini candy canes too. Race timing was done by A Change of Pace Foundation (Davis), and laptops were available for results-obsessed runners to check their finish times/pace on the spot.
So Many Santas
Livingsocial deal on race registration ($30 instead of $50 full-price). Packet pickup at Macy's Downtown Plaza easy with QR code from Eventbrite email. Even got a photo with Santa! Every … MORE
Livingsocial deal on race registration ($30 instead of $50 full-price). Packet pickup at Macy’s Downtown Plaza easy with QR code from Eventbrite email. Even got a photo with Santa! Every runner got a one-size Santa Suit and t-shirt with registration. Mine fit pretty well but I only ended up wearing the jacket, belt, hat and beard (my own running capris and shoes of course) on race day. It really was neat to see the huge crowd of Santas (thousands) at the race start and throughout. Started at the State Capitol/Capitol Mall roundabout between 9th and 10th Streets, and ended at the West entrance of Sacramento Downtown Commons with cookies, milk, live music, snow, candy canes and Santa himself. Race photos were available online, and the goodie bag on the back of your bib included free ice skate rentals and other discounts. Two aid stations had water as well as Naked juice. I loved the cheer squad which included the Stand-up Paddleboarders (SUP) on the river dressed in Santa Suits as we ran by, and the volunteers with jingle bells too, very festive. Rain or shine! Thankfully the rain stopped and the 5K wasn’t a bad run overall, route pretty familiar to any local runner who’s run along the river. It did cut through the cobblestones of Old Sac, but I spaced out at the tunnel connecting Old Sac and Downtown Plaza and didn’t realize the finish line was so close, I could have started sprinting to the end sooner!