Craven Smart Start Holiday Hustle

Working with community partners, Craven Smart Start provides Craven County children with quality early learning opportunities and health and family support to give them a foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. Proceeds raised from the Holiday Hustle will expand Craven Smart Start’s ability to provide more services for children, birth to five, and their families in Craven County. The Holiday Hustle will feature the Tinsel 10K and Jingle Bell Jog 5K, which take runners on a course through downtown New Bern starting and ending in Union Point Park. The event also includes the Santa Family Fun Run with a course around Union Point Park. All races will be available as a virtual option including the virtual 48.6 mile 12 Days of Christmas Challenge, we introduced in 2020.

Registration Fees:

• Jingle Bell Jog 5K - $30 until Nov. 28 / $35 Nov 29 until race day
• Tinsel 10K - $35 until Nov. 28 / $40 Nov 29 until race day
• Santa’s Fun Run - $15 / $20 on race day
• Virtual 5k & 10k - $20
• Virtual 48.6 mile 12 Days of Christmas Challenge (this race can be any form of exercise-Running, walking, swimming, biking, elliptical, etc.) - $40

$5 per person family discount for in person races (3 or more participants)

Register by Nov. 6 to guarantee T-shirt.

DUE TO SUPPLY ISSUES, PLEASE BE AWARE IF YOU REGISTER AFTER NOVEMBER  6TH, YOU WILL NOT GET A RACE SHIRT.

Registration Fee is NONREFUNDABLE. 

Packet Pick up will be Friday, December 11th from 4-7 at Craven Smart Start, 211-F Neuse Blvd, New Bern or at Union Point Park beginning at 7am the morning of the race.

Awards:

• In-Person Awards for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place, male & female, in age categories 8-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-64 and 65+
• Medals to 1st, 2nd, 3rd place overall in each race male and female

Giveaway:

• All in-person registrants will receive a long sleeve performance t-shirt. Available in YS, YM, YL, AS, AM, AL, AXL, AXXL. Register by Nov. 6th to guarantee t-shirt!
• All Children 15 and under participating in the Family Fun Run will receive a medal.
• Everyone that completes the Virtual 48.6 mile 12 Days of Christmas Challenge will receive a long sleeve performance T-shirt and medal upon completion. 
• Participants of the 5k and 10k virtual run will receive a medal upon completion (no shirt).
   

VIRTUAL RUN

This year, we will be offering a virtual run in addition to the normal in-person event.

How it Works
Sign up here (use the Sign Up button at the top of the page).
Print out your digital bib (from your Runsignup profile page) if you'd like.
Download the RaceJoy app for the best race experience.
Run your race at a place of your choosing (including a treadmill) before the deadline. If you use RaceJoy, it will automatically submit your results. If not, go to the results page and submit your time.

Virtual Race FAQs
What is a virtual run?

A virtual race is an event where you sign up and participate on a course of your choosing (or a treadmill). This is a great opportunity to work towards your running goals, stay healthy, and support a great cause!

The event will feature a leaderboard so you can still see how you stack up against your fellow competitors!

Where do I run?

You can run at a course of your choosing, including on a treadmill. 

When do I run?

You can run (or walk) anytime on December 5-12, 2026.

Will this race be timed?

The virtual run will not be officially timed, but by using the RaceJoy app, you can receive a GPS-based time which will automatically submit your time for you. There will be an online leaderboard showing everyone's times.

How do I post my results?

The easiest way is to use RaceJoy during the race! If you choose not to use RaceJoy, then you can visit the results page and click the "Submit Virtual Results" link at the top of the page.

When/how will I get my swag?

There will be packet pickup Friday, December 11, 2026 and morning of the race. 

5k and 10k Performance long sleeve t-shirt, included with in-person registration, $5 extra for virtual.  

12 Days of Christmas Challenge Participants will receive a Long Sleeve Performance T-shirt and a medal.

This event is timed by Run the East! With professional race timing services and a focus on delivering accurate results, 
we’re here to make your race day seamless and enjoyable. Learn more at runtheeast.com.