White Elephant 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Chattanooga
About this race
Get ready for a holiday race with a playful twist! Welcome to the White Elephant 5K/10K/Half Marathon—the event inspired by everyone’s favorite gift-swapping tradition, where surprises, silliness, and a little friendly chaos make the fun. Just like the classic holiday game, this race celebrates the joy of “re-gifting,” transforming leftover treasures into unforgettable memories.
Athletes will select their preferred shirt size at registration, but the actual shirt remains a mystery until after the race. When you cross the finish line, you’ll unwrap your very own surprise bundle—a race shirt and finisher medal from a previous event, packaged White Elephant–style for a fun and festive reveal. We'll be dashing along the Tennessee River Trail starting at 9:00 am.
In addition to the post-race surprises, we’ll honor performance in the traditional way with awards to the top three male and female finishers in five-year age groups, beginning with 10 & under and continuing through our most experienced participants.
With distances for every level—a festive 5K, a spirited 10K, and a challenging Half Marathon—the White Elephant Run is the perfect way to celebrate the season with humor, heart, and holiday cheer.
Welcome to the White Elephant 5K/10K/Half Marathon—unwrap the fun, embrace the unexpected, and enjoy every mile of this joyful holiday tradition!
Join fellow runners on December 6, 2026 for the White Elephant 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Chattanooga. It's a fantastic 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, Virtual Half Marathon featuring a flat and fast course in Chattanooga.
Pick your distance
Running
5K
Come put your feet on the ground for some Christmas fun! We welcome all runners, walker, strollers, etc!
10K
Up for a little longer distance...here ya go.
Half Marathon
We've got a half marathon for all of you overachievers out there.
Virtual 5K
Can't make it, but want to join in on the fun? No problem! =) Just run when & where you want, submit your time to us and we'll mail you your shirt/card!
Virtual 10K
Can't make it, but want to join in on the fun? No problem! =) Just run when & where you want, submit your time to us and we'll mail you your shirt/card!
Virtual Half Marathon
Weather Overview
These values represent the 1-year monthly averages for December in Chattanooga.
About Chattanooga
White Elephant 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Chattanooga takes place in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States. The local timezone is America/New_York.
Reviews
Done this event?
If you've participated in this event, share your experience with other runners
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Chattanooga
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Chattanooga 5K Races Best Chattanooga routes for beginners and speed work.
- 10K Run Events in Chattanooga The most popular local distance in Tennessee.
- Chattanooga Half Marathons Top-rated 21.1K courses in the Chattanooga area.
- Marathons in Chattanooga Scenic 42.2K routes and Chattanooga Boston qualifiers.
- Chattanooga Running Calendar 2026 See all upcoming race dates.
Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.
