Dashing Thru The Glow

WHAT:
"AvanceCare" Dashing Thru The Glow

Downtown Wilmington and It's Go Time welcome you to the AvanceCare Dashing Thru The Glow 5K. Join us as we bring together the Christmas spirit, family fun, and entertainment along the beautiful Cape Fear River.

Run or walk through the holiday lights in downtown Wilmington, take pictures next to the Christmas Tree, meet Santa himself, and stay for the Downtown Wilmington Holidays on the Water Drone Show.

 The elves will be at the finish line passing out Finisher Medals to all the good little boys and girls who finish the 5K and 1 Mile. To make this event even better, everyone receives a light up holiday beanie.

*Parts of the course are a little dark, we encourage you to bring a headlamp.



BEST DRESSED COSTUME CONTEST! 
Deck your halls to the max and enter the Best Dressed Runner Costume Contest!

Pull out your most festive tinsel, garland, twinkle lights and beyond to show us what it means to Holiday-Slay All Day! Don't be a Grinch, come on out and show us all what you've got (hope it's not coal!)

DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON HOLIDAYS ON THE WATER DRONE SHOW
This year's show will start at 7:30 PM, giving you enough time to finish your race, grab some cookies and meet Santa.  The best viewing areas for the Drone Show are along Water Street from Grace Street to Dock Street.

DATE:
Saturday, December 12, 2026

START/FINISH LINE LOCATION:
Live Oak Bank Pavilion
10 Cowan Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

DISTANCES OFFERED:
5K - this event is timed
1 Mile - this event is NOT timed
*You can walk or run either race.
*Parts of the course are a little dark, we encourage you to bring a headlamp.

CHECK OUT THE SWAG  
- Race Shirt (while supplies last)
- Finisher Medal
- Holiday Hat 
- Cookies
- Glow Necklace
- Free Pictures with Santa
- Experience downtown Wilmington's holiday light displays

HOW TO REGISTER:
Register Before the Race: Click on the SIGN UP button in the upper right corner
Register At Pre-Race Packet Pickup or On Race Day:  To register at packet pickup or at the race, we will provide a QR code for you to register on your phone.  You can also register online from your phone or device up until the race starts.

PARKING:
Any legal available parking spot in downtown Wilmington.

PACKET PICKUP & RACE SCHEDULE:
Click HERE for the full schedule of events

HOW YOUR REGISTRATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE:
AvanceCare Dashing Thru The Glow is raising funds for the Coastal Horizons Open House Youth Shelter and Toys for Tots.

The Open House Youth Shelter is committed to improving the safety and well-being of displaced abused, neglected and vulnerable youth.  Children and adolescents ages 6-18 who are in need of a safe place to stay can receive shelter in the 24-hour, 9-bed facility. Open House does more than just meet youths' basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Personal growth is encouraged through counseling services, vocational/educational opportunities, life skill building, and recreational activities. All confidential services are provided at no cost to youth and their families, and continue for a period of three months after discharge, to maximize the success of the family reunification plan.

Avance Care Dashing Thru the Glow 5K & 1 Mile
Live Oak Pavilion | Downtown Wilmington

Celebrate the holiday season while connecting your business with more than 1,200 runners, walkers, families, and community members at one of Wilmington’s most festive holiday events!

The Avance Care Dashing Thru the Glow 5K & 1 Mile brings the community together for an evening filled with Christmas lights, holiday music, Santa, hot chocolate, family fun, and running through Downtown Wilmington.

More than just a race, Dashing Thru the Glow gives local businesses an opportunity to engage directly with participants while supporting two important causes in our community:

Toys for Tots – helping bring the joy of Christmas to local children in need through the collection and distribution of new, unwrapped toys.

Coastal Horizons Open House Youth Shelter – providing safe housing, food, counseling, education, and life-skills support to displaced and vulnerable youth.

Why Partner With Dashing Thru the Glow?
Sponsorship gives your company valuable exposure before, during, and after race day while allowing your team to be part of a family-friendly community tradition.

Depending on your sponsorship level, benefits may include complimentary race entries and race swag, website and email recognition, dedicated social media exposure, banner placement at the start/finish line, booth space, participant race bag inclusion, race bib branding, premium booth placement, and additional customized opportunities.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor – $2,000
Official Sponsor – $1,500
Bib Sponsor – $1,250
Water Stop Sponsor – $750
Retail Booth – $550
The Title Sponsorship is SOLD and the Packet Pickup Sponsorship is SOLD OUT.

Retail Booths Start at Just $550
Looking for an easy way to put your business directly in front of participants and families? A Retail Booth includes booth space at the race, start/finish banner recognition, website and email presence, complimentary race swag, and two race entries.

Get Your Team Involved
Sponsors receive complimentary race entries based on sponsorship level, making Dashing Thru the Glow a great opportunity for employees, clients, friends, and family to participate together.

Whether your company wants maximum brand exposure, a fun on-site activation, or simply a way to support the Wilmington community during the holidays, we can help find the right partnership.

Join Us This Holiday Season
Come run, walk, celebrate, and spread some holiday cheer with us at Live Oak Pavilion!

Sponsorship opportunities are limited, and select categories are exclusive.

Interested in becoming a sponsor?

Contact:

Beth Ann Soporowski
 babssop@gmail.com

Rob Reynolds
 robdreynolds@yahoo.com
 910-619-2445

2026 Sponsorship Guide
View the complete sponsorship guide for specific benefits and opportunities available at each level. 

Parking is limited.  We do encourage you to carpool or arrive early. 

PARKING AVAILABLE:
- Marina Village (There are only 2 dirt lots available here. This area will fill up early)
- Sandlewood Way in RiverLights
- On Watercraft Ferry Ave between Old Town Center St and The Lake House at the lakes
- Oyster Tabby Drive
- Any other street in RiverLights

PARKING NOT AVAILABLE:
*The below streets are used for the race course.
- Watercraft Ferry Ave between Marina Village and Old Town Center St
- Olde Towne Center St
- Shell Quarry Drive
- Any apartment or condo complex parking lot.

Please DO NOT Park in apartment or condo complex parking lots.  You will be towed.  Thank you.

Click on Parking Map Below to Enlarge

PRE-RACE PACKET PICKUP & TOY DROP OFF
Friday, December 11, 2026

Fleet Feet at Crossroads at Independence
3852 Carolina Beach Road
Wilmington, NC

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

PARKING: Parking is NOT allowed behind Harris Teeter near the loading docks. Vehicles blocking access for semi-trucks will be towed.

Can't make it to Pre-Race Packet Pickup?  A family member or friend can pick up for you.  You can pick up at the race, starting one hour prior to the race start.  However, we encourage you to pick up at Pre-Race Packet Pickup to avoid race day lines and added stress.

RACE DAY SCHEDULE
Saturday, December 12, 2026

Start/Finish Line & Registration Location
Live Oak Bank Pavilion
10 Cowan Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

4:00 PM - Registration & Toy Drop Off Opens
4:15 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus Arrive
4:30 PM - FREE Pictures with Santa 
5:05 PM - 1 Mile Starts
5:35 PM - 5K Starts
5:35 PM - FREE Pictures with Santa continues
6:40 PM - Awards (time is approximate)
7:30 PM - Downtown Wilmington Holidays on the Water Drone Show (Best area to view show is along Water Street between Grace and Dock Streets)

*the course is a little dark in a few areas, we recommend bringing a headlamp just in case.

PARKING:
Any available street parking or parking garage in downtown Wilmington.