ChristmasTown 5K

Kick off your holiday with the most festive 5K this side of the North Pole! Run through one of the world's most popular destinations for Christmas lights and feel the holiday spirit. It's a party you don't want to miss! 

We only gift medals to the overall winners and winners in each category. We do not provide finisher medals.

We will award the top three male and female overall winners. We will then award the top three finishers for both males and females in each of the following age categories. 

• 12 and Under
• 13 - 18
• 19 - 24
• 25 - 29
• 30 -34
• 35 - 39
• 40 - 44
• 45 - 49
• 50 - 54
• 55 - 59
• 60 - 64
• 65 - 69
• 70 and up

Overall winners are not eligible to win in their age category. 

Our annual costume contest will take place on the Plaza in front of the Pharr YMCA at 5:30 PM, before the race. Everyone is invited to participate. 

This event is rain or shine, and no refunds will be given.

You may officially transfer your race entry to another non-registered runner before 5 PM on Race Day.

Please initiate a bib transfer if anyone other than you plans on running with the bib assigned to you to maintain the integrity of our race results. 

You will not be refunded/reimbursed for your original registration. Any transfer compensation must be arranged between you and the transfer recipient. The race organizers are not responsible for the terms of payment between parties in the transfer process and we do not condone the resale of registrations at elevated prices. Please do your due diligence before sending money to anyone. Anyone offering a bib for sale should be listed under "Participant Tracking" on our website. We are not responsible for any financial transactions that may result in loss of funds and/or bib. 

All transfers will be required to take the shirt size that was originally selected, unless you transfer prior to October OR the race selling out. 

To Transfer Your Bib to Someone Else:

1. Find a runner interested in officially participating in the event. Race organizers do not participate in this part of the process, and there is no waiting list. It is up to you to locate someone who wishes to purchase your bib and then coordinate the exchange of funds with them. 

2. Go to "Participant Tracking" and use either option to pull up your registration.  

3. Select "More Details" beside your name. It may prompt you to log in. If so, make sure you log-in with the account you registered under.   

4. Select “Transfer to Someone Else” either at the bottom of this page or in the menu at the top. You only need the name and email address of the recipient. They will go in and fill out the rest of their information once they receive the transfer request in their email. 

The bib transfer is not completed until the new participant updates the information. Initiated transfers must be completed by the new participant before 3 PM on race day. At this time our system will not accept any changes in information. 

To Receive A Bib Transfer:

1. Find someone who wants to transfer their bib to you. Ask them for the first and last name they registered under. Race organizers do not participate in this part of the process, and there is no waiting list. It is up to you to locate someone who wishes to sell their bib and then coordinate the exchange of funds with them. 

2. Go to "Participant Tracking" on this website and enter their name to ensure they are a registered participant. Please do your due diligence. We have had several people scammed out of money in the past by people pretending to have bibs to sell on Facebook. A quick Facebook search of someone's name sometimes will show you that these people do this on event pages all over the country. 

3. You will receive an email from Run Sign Up with a link to enter your information. The bib will not transfer to you until you fill out this information online. Please scroll all the way to the bottom of the screen to confirm the changes. 

4. Please read the packet pick up directions on when and where to receive the bib and shirt. Transfers after October OR when the race is sold out will have to take the shirt size that the original participant selected.

When is this event?

The 3.1 mile run starts promptly at 6:00 PM on Saturday, November 30. The start/finish line is on Main Street in downtown McAdenville. All participants will be expected to be at the start line with their bibs visible prior to the 6:00 PM gun. The start line will be closed promptly at 6:15. 

When is packet pick up?

Please read the section on this website for details. All bibs must be picked up by 4:30 PM on race day. 

What is the route?

The US Track and Field certified route is the same as previous years. Main Street, Wesleyan and Church Street all have two-way traffic and runners need to keep to the left of the cones on these streets. There are two 180-degree turns on the route. See the map under Race Info on this page. There will be mile markers at mile 1 and mile 2. The route follows the LEFT side of the road, please stay to the left of any roads that see two-way traffic. These roads will be marked with cones and have volunteers helping you.

Can I walk this race?

We welcome walkers and runners of all speeds. We will have walkers and those with strollers line up down Park Drive. You will be funneled into the start line from there. Everyone is chip-timed, so your time doesn't start until you cross the start line. Participants must stay on the 3.1 marked route, moving forward at all times. A pace vehicle will be at the back of the runners to keep everyone on track and on pace. Roads will re-open approximately 90 minutes after the race starts. If you can't maintain the pace to finish in time, the pace vehicle will escort you to the finish line. 

Can I dress up in something fun for the event?

Please do! We even award the best costumes at our annual costume contest. Bring your most festive attire, and don’t be afraid to get creative. The contest will be held on the Plaza in front of the YMCA. Please be there at 5:15 if you would like to enter the contest. It will begin promptly at 5:30.  

Can I bring spectators?

Please review the Spectators page on our website. Anyone not displaying a visible bib will not be allowed on the course. Please encourage your guests to watch from the sidewalks for the safety of them and our participants. Everyone who is age 3 or up and on the course must have a bib visible at all times. Please place your bib on your front. Anyone participating without a visible bib will be asked to leave the course. 

Where can I park?

We will provide detailed parking information closer to race day and email it to all registered participants. All parking will be in the town of McAdenville, and we encourage you to carpool if possible.  

Will there be on-course refreshments?

There will be water and refreshments for runners at the finish line. Please come prepared with anything you may need between the start and finish line. 

Is there a time limit?

We can only close the roads to traffic for a limited amount of time. If you are too far behind to finish before the roads re-open, you will be given the opportunity to board a shuttle bus to make it to the finish line. Please stay on the official course the entire time. You are not free to roam into yards or down streets not on the official route. 

Can I push a stroller or run with my pet?

Strollers are welcome, and children under 3 do not need to register or receive a bib. Animals are not allowed to participate. For those who decide to utilize a stroller, please be advised that you must line up on Park Drive. Look for signs telling you where to line up. 

I signed up and now I can't make it. Can I receive a refund?

All sales are final, but you can transfer your space to someone else. Please read the directions on how to do this under Bib Transfers. Please note that the person who receives your bib will have to take the shirt size you selected. 

Where can I pick up my shirt and bib?

Please read the section on Packet Pick Up on this page. 

Is it possible to change the shirt size that I ordered?

Before the race sells out, you can change your shirt size by logging into your Run Sign Up account and modifying your registration.  

How can I get another confirmation email?

RunSignUp allows you to access your registration through your Profile. From there you can resend your confirmation email if you have misplaced it, or if you have not received it.

Note: If you did not receive your confirmation make sure to check your Spam/Clutter folders.

You will always be able to resend the registration confirmation for any registrations associated with your Profile (including any sub-accounts of yours) by following these steps:

1. Log in to your RunSignUp account

2. Go to your Profile

3. See your events under Upcoming Events

4. Click Resend Confirmation next to the registration that you would like to resend the confirmation email

5. Check the email listed in your Profile for your registration confirmation

At that point, the confirmation email will be sent to the email address associated with that registration.

The ChristmasTown 5K is a project of the McAdenville Woman's Club in partnership with the Pharr Family YMCA. The committee is made up entirely of volunteers from our area. All money raised stays in our community and is used to support a variety of projects and needs. Recently the ChristmasTown 5K has been able to provide:

- Support for The Lighthouse Children's Advocacy Center

- New uniform pieces for Stuart Cramer High School Marching Band

- Hygiene and dental supplies for McAdenville Elementary School

- Sponsorship of YMCA sports teams 

- Financial support for a local family dealing with an unexpected illness

- Christmas presents for underprivileged and foster children in our area

- Cornhole and indoor bowling set to a local nursing home

- Funded local 5th grade team for the Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader competition

- Support of a local family living in a local motel due to financial hardships

- Building of 2 canoe launches in McAdenville

- Scholarships for deserving college students in our area

- Support of the Catawba Riverkeeper Non-Profit Organization

- Donation of new books for every single classroom at McAdenville Elementary

- Updates to the Pharr Family YMCA, including the ballfields

PHARR YMCA 208 Main Street, McAdenville

Please arrive during one of the following times to pick up your bib and shirt. Come in the front door that faces Main Street. You can park in front of the building, in the church lot beside it, or behind the building off Elm or Park Drive. 

All bibs must be picked up by 4:30 PM on race day. 

Wednesday, November 27 - 10 AM to 5 PM
Friday, November 29 - 12 PM to 4 PM

RACE DAY - Pharr YMCA at 208 Main Street, outside in front of the building

Saturday, November 30 - 2 to 4:30 PM

All bibs must be picked up by 4:30 PM on race day. 

You are able to pick up packets for runners other than yourself. We just need the name they registered under to pull up their information.

You will not be able to change shirt sizes at packet pick up. 

You will always be able to resend the registration confirmation for any registrations associated with your Profile (including any sub-accounts of yours) by following these steps:

1. Log in to your RunSignUp account by clicking the circle icon in the top right of this page. 

2. Go to your Profile

3. See your events under Upcoming Events

4. Click Resend Confirmation next to the registration that you would like to resend the confirmation email

 5. Check the email listed in your Profile for your registration confirmation

At that point, the confirmation email will be sent to the email address associated with that registration.

Any packets not claimed after race day will not be mailed. You will have one week to email us at christmastown5K@gmail.com to arrange a time to pick up your shirt. Anything not claimed by Saturday, December 7 will be donated. 

2:00 PM - Packet pick up begins

4:30 PM - Packet pick up closes

5:00 PM - All roads in McAdenville close to traffic

5:30 PM - Costume contest begins in front of YMCA on Plaza

6:00 PM - Race begins

6:15 PM - Start line closes; all participants must have chipped in

6:45 PM - Awards ceremony begins in front of YMCA on Plaza

7:30 PM - Roads in McAdenville re-open to traffic

This event will proceed rain or shine. In the event of threatening weather, we reserve the right to alter/postpone/cancel the event till further notice.