Santa's Run Fest
About this race
Winter Haven Optimist Club proudly presents the Santa's Run Fest - A Run for Our Kids. Choose a 15k, 10k or 5k and sign the kids up for the Kid Dashes!
Winter Haven is a beautiful city of approximately 49,000 friendly folks. As the Chamber of Commerce mentions, "To some we're the perfect haven from the harsh winter months up North, and to others we are the opportunity to be involved in a town with over 55 lakes to enjoy with fantastic sunrises and sunsets over the water" ...AND an absolutely superb terrain for running.
This years 15k, 10k and 5k Course will run an out and back course on the Chain of Lakes Trail in Winter Haven (to Lake Alfred for the 15K). The courses include gentle rises, enough to cause pressure for the advanced competitors but not so much to frustrate the average person.
Runners will receive a custom shirt (Shirts and sizes will be available while supplies last), a custom bib, and a finisher medal when you cross the line on race day!
Runners may optionally create and join teams to compete for the Largest team and to compete against each other in the 5k race for the Fastest team in one of three categories: 1. Family Team; 2. Corporate Team; 3. Social/Church/School Team
There are 2 trophies in each category: Largest Team (by number of runners who compete) and Fastest Team (by the top 3 finishing times on the team - 5K only).
Early Race Packet Pickup - Friday, December 18, 2026
4:00-7:00 pm - In The Breezeway of The Winter Haven Chamber Of Commerce Building - 401 Avenue B NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881Day of Race - Saturday, December 19, 2026
START LOCATION! Next To The Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Building on 4th Street NW & Ave B NW - 401 Avenue B NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881 6:00 am - Race Packet Pickup and Day of race registration 7:00 am - 15k Start 7:15 am - 10k Start 7:30 am - 5k Start 8:30 am - Awards Ceremony for the 5K (Approx Time) (Please check your times in the kiosks for unofficial results after you finish your race) 8:45 am - Awards Ceremony for the 10K (Approx Time) (Please check your times in the kiosks for unofficial results after you finish your race) 9:15 am - Awards Ceremony for the 15K (Approx Time) (Please check your times in the kiosks for unofficial results after you finish your race) 9:00-9:15 am - Approx. start for the Kids SprintsPick your distance
Running
15k Run - Adults
10k Run - Adults
10K Run - Students
5k Run - Adults
5K Run - Students
Kid's Sprints (Kids 10 & Under)
There will be several races for the Kids 10 years and younger and will be broken down by age groups.
Volunteer
Please consider volunteering if you are not able to run!
Typical race-day weather
Based on 5 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Winter Haven, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 7:13 AM and sets at 5:35 PM local time (EST) in Winter Haven on December 19, 2026 — 10h 22m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
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Other races near Winter Haven
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Warriors For Wellness 5k
Badge of Hope Haunted 5K
Mayor's 5K Run/Walk
OctoberFAST Fun Run 5K and Kids 1K
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Winter Haven
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Winter Haven 5K Races 2 races
- Winter Haven Running Calendar 2026 2 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 2 Winter Haven events
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.