Santa Hustle Galveston
Galveston, TX
- Half Marathon, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
It’s not just a race. It’s a magical experience. So find that Christmas spirit and join us this December at Beach Central for the Santa Hustle® Galveston 5K, Half Marathon, and Kids Dash. Santa is bringing a lot of merry to each participant by bringing a Santa Hustle Ugly Christmas … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Dec 21):
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| H (°F) | 58 | 66 | 53 | 62 | 65 |
| L (°F) | 47 | 62 | 48 | 50 | 51 |
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Fantastic
First timer here and had an enjoyable experience from the packet pick-up to end of course. Staff were courteous and attentive. My only issue was the actual course - being … MORE
First timer here and had an enjoyable experience from the packet pick-up to end of course. Staff were courteous and attentive. My only issue was the actual course – being on the Seawall – the sidewalk was not even resulting in multiple injuries (I was witness to one). I am definitely recommending to others.
Disappointing. Not sure I’ll return
I first ran the Santa Hustle Galveston 5K in 2013, and I remember the course being lovely with manageable parking. This was my first time running it since the course … MORE
I first ran the Santa Hustle Galveston 5K in 2013, and I remember the course being lovely with manageable parking. This was my first time running it since the course was moved to the Seawall, and I had mixed feelings about the changes.
Packet Pickup: The line was long but very well-organized and moved quickly. Parking at packet pickup wasn’t too bad, which was a plus.
Race Day: Parking was a bit challenging, and we ended up about six blocks away from the starting area.
Corral: The wave start could have been better organized. Unfortunately, we started about 30 minutes late due to an incident on the course, though I’m not sure what happened.
Course: This was the most disappointing aspect of the race. The 5K was crowded, with runners, walkers, strollers, and even dogs all mixed together, making it difficult to run at a steady pace. The first U-turn was manageable, but the return was chaotic. Several participants tripped over construction signs and uneven sidewalks. At the final U-turn, the 5K runners and half-marathoners were sharing the same lane, moving in opposite directions, which created a lot of confusion and congestion. This section needs significant improvement in terms of organization and monitoring. That said, running along the Seawall was a nice touch.
After Party: The after-party was a great spot to take pictures and recover, with a pleasant setup.
Swag: I loved the medal, especially since it doubles as an ornament, and the shirt design is super cute!
While the race had some enjoyable moments, the course and crowd management could definitely be improved for future events.
Worth It!
First and foremost, I’ve done this race several times and enjoy it. Although Galveston isn’t the most beautiful beach, it’s still a beautiful, flat run and the entire race is … MORE
First and foremost, I’ve done this race several times and enjoy it. Although Galveston isn’t the most beautiful beach, it’s still a beautiful, flat run and the entire race is along the Seawall. I’m sure I will do it again! I do wish we started earlier so that we could watch the sun come up over the water, but maybe it’s a safety issue with the city. My only negatives for this year were that the medal is the exact same one I got in 2018 with a different ribbon & doesn’t have a year in it / not the Christmas tree one posted, I did not see any course photographers (maybe I just missed them and this is a lesser negative than the medal), and it took forever to have anything about the hotels posted/shared.
Admittedly, I love my medals and the years on them help me track when I did each race. Perhaps they ran out, but I was near the front of half marathon finishers and it’s the only one I saw when walking around. Pictures are always fun, especially since I don’t stop to take them myself. I just drive to and from Houston the morning of and it was fine. Again – none are deal breakers & I do recommend this race!
Walk the 5k, the great, bad and the ugly
The GREAT - Awesome finisher medals and SWAG!!! LOVE IT. Excellent location! The seawall is a scenic, flat albeit windy run. The race timing is also excellent; Galveston has lots … MORE
The GREAT – Awesome finisher medals and SWAG!!! LOVE IT. Excellent location! The seawall is a scenic, flat albeit windy run. The race timing is also excellent; Galveston has lots to do at Christmas time. Short line up for the port-a-cans! Pacers available for the 1/2 M and most 1/2 M runners sorted themselves by the pacers.
The BAD – Parking can be a little challenging. The race bib pick up line up is long. If you are a top finisher in your age group you have to pay a $10 fee for your award. It cannot be picked up at the race. No food available on the 1/2 M and limited water and gatorade. I was expecting more support. I should have brought water. Long lines just to pick up a banana and the food at the end is disappointing and lacking. No hand washing stations or hand sanitizer at the port-o-cans. Gross. The post race party is loud music and not much else.
The UGLY – Walkers and runners do NOT mix but the slowest walkers start with the fastest runners. It’s an absolute NIGHTMARE before Christmas to try to run the 5K. If you run the 5k at a sub 21 min… you’ll be fine; otherwise, just plan to walk. It’s way to crowded to run and the race does NOT separate the 5 k runners from the walkers. There is absolutely NO pace coordination in the 5k. It’s a miserable run. I did it in 2023 and will NEVER run the 5 k again. My husband foolishly tried to run the 5k with my son while I ran the 1/2M this year. FOOL. He was in the corral for 40 minutes after the 5k race was supposed to start (waiting to run) and had to painfully pass about 1,000 walkers (because many walkers go to the front of the one corral). At 2,400 people, the 5k race desperately needs to place people in corrals… A (fast), B (you know your race pace and can sort yourself accordingly), C (run/walkers), D (walkers), E (walkers that walk 5 wide with no regard for anyone else… especially the 1/2 Marathoners who catch up to them even after running 11+ miles with a 15 minute head start). Parked vehicles are left running toward the end of the race course (ewww… exhaust does not taste good while running!) and super odd as most of the race does not allow parked vehicles. The parked cars not only choke the racers but also narrow the race course when the 5k and 1/2M merge. It’s HORRIBLE. There is not enough room to run on this course when the 5k and 1/2M merge. And the 5 km walkers have NO regard for the 6 mile/min 1/2 M runners nor the 9 mile/min 1/2 M runners either. Why the 1/2 marathoners don’t have there own lane at this point is beyond me… especially given that parked vehicles take up 1/2 the race course at this point and aren’t allowed on the majority of the race course. Some of the 5k walkers are terrified of the faster 1/2M runners and the 5k walkers are like dodging moving traffic cones at the end of a long race when 1/2 M runners are picking up the pace.
I truly hope that a competent race coordinator is hired next year and can properly stage the 5k run/walkers. One can always HOPE.
So fun, loved that it was on the Seawall
As a first-timer for literally any race ever this exceeded my expectations! Can’t wait to see what they do different next year. The only negative thing I would say is … MORE
As a first-timer for literally any race ever this exceeded my expectations! Can’t wait to see what they do different next year. The only negative thing I would say is that the packet pick up was a crazy long line but they did a great job at making the line move fast towards the end. I would arrive way earlier next time. My siblings and I will definitely do the Santa Hustle every year from now on!
My fav part about it was being able to enjoy the sound of the waves and just the beach scenery in general. (:
Disappointing
This run is usually awesome! However, the ugly shirt was truly ugly, not a so ugly it is cute. I have been coming out for 10 years, and they used … MORE
This run is usually awesome! However, the ugly shirt was truly ugly, not a so ugly it is cute. I have been coming out for 10 years, and they used to have the race in different locations. For the last few years, things have just been lackluster. The normal MC and coordinator, Mr. Santa, did not host this year (maybe he was disconnected from the process?), which was the first year. His stand in was very generic and felt like a last minute stand in. There have always been candy and cookies along the path and water and Gatorade. This year, only one water stand during the whole course! We do this race every year as a family, but for the first time, I am not sure we will repeat the experience, especially when factoring in the cost of participating for everyone. The race also started very late. Very different from standard , in not a good way.
Gorgeous location!
We’ve been participating in the Santa Hustle for years, and it’s become a cherished holiday tradition for our family! The location is fantastic, and the course is wonderfully accommodating—perfect for … MORE
We’ve been participating in the Santa Hustle for years, and it’s become a cherished holiday tradition for our family! The location is fantastic, and the course is wonderfully accommodating—perfect for strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs. Running along the seawall at dawn is absolutely stunning, and having a Santa with a real beard is always a delightful touch!
Let’s hope the sleigh is more organized
Get there early. Super early. 3000+ participants without a set parking area. Nothing like a >1/2 mile walk to a race (thrice to take your shirt back to the car) … MORE
Get there early. Super early.
3000+ participants without a set parking area. Nothing like a >1/2 mile walk to a race (thrice to take your shirt back to the car)
You can pick up your packet on race day for a fee … $5 paid in advance or $16 day of, if I remember right… but the line was 100+ people and 40+ minutes at one point. Again – early.
Aid stations were basic. Water and Gatorade only. Every 2-3 miles. That part was okay – none ran out that I saw. Sufficient Portapotties en route should you need.
If you were in the back of the half marathon, they ran out of medals. So you ran the 13.2 but got a 3.1 medal. Motivation to be faster??? They did offer to mail one later. Also no water at the finish – at least, not for the slowest.
There wasn’t much post party….maybe there was for the 5km, but the area was dead and being taken down before everyone finished the half. People seemed to finish and leave. There were some very green bananas and candy canes. Again – come early?
Plenty or portapotties at start and on the course. Course just had water and Gatorade. I thought they said cookies and candy but those were only at the end, if you finished early enough.
It wasn’t the worst, but it was busy and less fun than maybe some others. The running view is nice though.
What a Great Race!
This was a really well organized, scenic and fun race. I definitely will do this one again!! They really knew how to put their Santa on!! The aid stations were … MORE
This was a really well organized, scenic and fun race. I definitely will do this one again!! They really knew how to put their Santa on!! The aid stations were well spaced and one never wanted for water or Gaterade. The volunteers were so great! AND they were well stocked and generous with food at the end. I am a slower runner and have gotten to the end of races where nothing was left- not this race ! I totally enjoyed my cookies, peppermint candies and fruit at the end! There were plenty of other offerings I could have had! The only thing that was a bit rough was the 3:00 hour pacer (13:43 minute miles) – who didn’t seem to end to get “pacing” . The first 4 miles she did at 12:00 + miles and then did a whole lot of walking. I know that’s one way to do a run but a “pacer” should set a pace and stay with it. I let her go after the first 4 miles but passed her at the end and came in just under 3:00. She came in right after me so she got the time but running 12 minute miles then walking 14 minute miles isn’t really pacing! Other then that minor thing this was a great race you will totally enjoy!!
So much fun
This was my first half marathon race and it was so fun! The weather was perfect. Couldn't have asked for a better day. The scenery was so beautiful. Watching the … MORE
This was my first half marathon race and it was so fun! The weather was perfect. Couldn’t have asked for a better day. The scenery was so beautiful. Watching the sunrise over the beach while running the seawall was so gorgeous! Will definitely do it again!
A yearly ‘must do’ race!
This is my 2nd year doing this race and I will keep coming back. The location changed from last year and I think this one was better. The swag was … MORE
This is my 2nd year doing this race and I will keep coming back. The location changed from last year and I think this one was better. The swag was nice and although I wasn’t able to stick around, the after party looked fun.
One race you don’t want to miss!
My mom and I have done the Santa Hustle since 2016, and this a yearly tradition for us. The swag is some of the best out there, the course is … MORE
My mom and I have done the Santa Hustle since 2016, and this a yearly tradition for us. The swag is some of the best out there, the course is scenic, the holiday cheer is infectious and the coordinator for this race is there to make sure we all have a great time! Even when it’s cold and windy, you can’t help but love this race. 10/10 would recommend to anyone wanting to have some fun.
I Sign Up Every June
I have been running this event since 2012 and my family looks forward to it each year. There have been hiccups a few times but it's fairly consistently a well … MORE
I have been running this event since 2012 and my family looks forward to it each year. There have been hiccups a few times but it’s fairly consistently a well put together event.
My only gripe is they never seem to be able to get the new and slower runners to keep right while running and to move to the back of the corral so us faster runners can sprint out.
Fun family race
This race series is such a fun family event. I love that everyone gets Santa hats and beards. Plus, there are cookie stops along the way! This race is very … MORE
This race series is such a fun family event. I love that everyone gets Santa hats and beards. Plus, there are cookie stops along the way! This race is very well supported.
Easy course. Not enough shirts
The most unique aspect is you get a Santa outfit to wear. That's really fun. The course is extremely flat so get ready to set a PR! Pick up your … MORE
The most unique aspect is you get a Santa outfit to wear. That’s really fun. The course is extremely flat so get ready to set a PR! Pick up your packet as early as possible or they’ll be out of your shirt size!