Miracle On Erie Street 5K and Miracle Mile

The Miracle on Erie Street 5K Run/Walk is back for 2026! It will once again kick off Willoughby, Ohio’s Christmas holiday weekend thanks to Erie Street Miracles, a charitable organization that spreads holiday cheer by making hundreds of Christmas Mornings possible for those in need.

The annual tradition of a Christmas themed 5k in Downtown Willoughby is in its 11th year (yeah, its a big deal!). Now with an optional 1-Mile Walk which makes a great opportunity for more people to enjoy the festive fun! Over our years it has grown to become a cherished event for runners, walkers and their supportive family and friends. This is a great race for seasoned and not so seasoned, and a great opportunity to have some fun and share Christmas Cheer!

The race starts and ends in Downtown Willoughby, freshly decorated from the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony which kicks off the festive weekend. The mostly flat course winds through some of Willoughby's oldest neighborhoods.  Each participant is then welcome to stay in DTW for celebratory drinks on us; with each runner receiving two drink tickets to use in the bars and restaurants. 

The Miracle on Erie Street 5k is graciously supported by a host of sponsors without them, our local supporters and volunteers this race, and the whole weekend could not be a success. 

Course Route

Roads will be partially closed beginning at 10:30am on Saturday, December 6th and will reopen once the last runner crosses the finish line. Willoughby Police will handle high traffic intersections. Erie Street Miracles volunteers will be on-hand to keep traffic clear on side streets and lesser intersections. There may be times when you will share the road but that will be at an absolute minimum. The well marked route is a relatively flat 3.1 miles through the gorgeous streets of Downtown Willoughby.

The new "Miracle Mile" route will also start in Downtown Willoughby. It will head up Center St. turn left on Wilson, then right on Wood. Walkers will turn right on Barber and right on Center Street again for the home stretch. Walkers will be timed, but ineligible for age group awards. .

Race Starts at 11:00am, the "Miracle Mile" 5 minutes later; Saturday, December 6th, 2025

Friday, December 5th from 3:00pm - 8:30pm

This year packet pickup will be held at Willoughby General Event Center. It is located above Fiona's Coffee Shop and Bakery. Come inside Fiona's front door and use the steps to the right, we ill be waiting for you upstairs.

Fiona's Coffee/Willoughby General is located at 4144 Erie St, Willoughby, OH 44094

Parking is available at the WE Library's lot (off West Spaulding), or in City Hall's main lot 

Packets can also be picked up the day of the race at our registration tent starting at 9:30am. 

Parking
Free parking is available in the following lots and indicated in Blue on the map:

• Todd Field (from Mentor Ave or Glenn Ave)

• Public lot north of City Hall by 1899 (Glenn Ave)

• Library Lot (in designated areas 30 West Spaulding)

• Willoughby City Hall (limited) 

• former Willoughby Brewing Company Lot (from Glenn Ave) - Paid Parking $5.00 

You may also park on any residential streets not on the race route. Please pay attention to any no parking signs, do not block driveways and do not park on the hydrant side of the street. Please consider carpooling or using Uber or Lyft.

The Miracle on Erie Street 5k and Miracle Mile is a great way to kickoff the Christmas season. After the race, take some time to stroll (you're done running now) through downtown Willoughby and enjoy some drinks on us!  You will get 2 free drink tickets at the finish line to use on Saturday December 6th, 2025. 

Use your tickets for your free beer or drinks at any of these fine establishments in Downtown Willoughby.

• Barrio Willoughby - 4061 Erie St

• Erie + Vine – 4027 Erie St

• Fiona's Coffee Bar & Bakery - 4148 Erie St

• Frank and Tony's Place - 38107 Second St

• Garage Bar Willoughby - 37825 Vine Street

• Mickey's Ice Cream & Hot Dogs - 14 E. Spaulding St

• Mullarkey's Pub - 4110 Erie St

• Nóra’s Public House - 4054 Erie St

• Sage Karma Kitchen - 4051 Erie St

• Sol - 38257 Glenn Ave

• Spirits In Willoughby - 3872 Erie St

• Westel's Alibi & Hush - 4084 Erie St

• The Wild Goose - 4144 Erie St

• The Yard on 3rd - 38040 3rd St

Now that is Christmas Cheer!

TBA

Awards will be handed out for the 5k participants in the following categories:

Top Overall Male & Female

Top Male and Female finishers in the following age groups
Under 11,   12-19,   20-29,   30-39,   40-49,   50-59,   60-69,   Over 70

All participants (5k and Miracle Mile) will receive a commemorative medal that will also make a perfect Christmas tree ornament. A keepsake for the day, an heirloom for a lifetime!