Silicon Valley Santa Run

Join us for the 15th Annual Silicon Valley Santa Run, benefiting Christmas in the Park! 

This 5K Run/Walk is holiday fun for the whole family. You can dress up as your favorite holiday character or tradition, then make your way through San Jose for a festive afternoon celebrating the most wonderful time of the year! The flat, fast course begins on Santa Clara St. and concludes at Christmas in the Park, where you can enjoy the decorations and booths with your friends and family.

Silicon Valley Santa Run offers a 5K run/walk or a Kids Reindeer Dash. Both events are available in person or virtually. All 5K participants will receive our holiday-themed long sleeve tech shirt, ornament-style finisher medal, and race bib with timing chip. Kids Reindeer Dash participants will receive a festive short-sleeved t-shirt, an ornament-style finisher medal, a race bib, and milk and cookies at the finish line.

Not sure whether you're registered for the race? Think you may have registered last year, but need a reminder? Never fear! Search for yourself on our "Find a Participant" page to check your registration status. Have a great race!

REGISTRATION

WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH THE REGISTRATION FEE?

With your registration, you will receive our holiday-themed tech race shirt and bib. Finishers will receive an ornament-style medal.

ARE THERE ANY DISCOUNTS?

No. There are no individual or group discounts. This event raises money for two beneficiaries, so we would like to give as much money as possible to them.

WHERE DO I PICK UP MY RACE PACKET?

Pick up your race packet for the Santa Run Silicon Valley at our Expo hosted by Sports Basement, Almaden (5353 Almaden Expressway in San Jose) on Friday, December 12 or Saturday, December 13 from 12 pm - 5 pm.

If you are participating in the virtual race AND selected to have your packet shipped to you, it will be mailed out the week of December 8. To ensure your packet arrives before December 14, please register for the virtual race no later than December 7.

CAN I CHANGE MY REGISTRATION?

Sure! You can change your registration by clicking the "Manage Your Registration" link included in your confirmation email until December 7. If you would like to make a change after December 7, please visit the solutions table at Sports Basement during packet pickup or on race morning and we will do our best to accommodate.

CAN WE REGISTER AS A GROUP?

If your company or group is interested in taking part, please contact our Corporate Engagement Lead at race-support@svlgfoundation.org.

TIMING CHIP

DO WE NEED TO RETURN THE TIMING CHIP?

No, but please recycle your bib. Thanks for helping us be green!

DO I NEED TO ATTACH MY TIMING CHIP?

No the timing chip is already attached to your race bib.

LOCATION QUESTIONS

WHERE CAN SPECTATORS WATCH THE RACE?

Spectators can watch from anywhere along the course.

WHERE DOES THE RACE START?

The race starts on Santa Clara Street at Almaden Ave (189 West Santa Clara St).

WHERE CAN I PARK?

City operated metered parking is free on Sundays. There are many paid parking lots around the venue as well. The start line and stage are located at the corner of Santa Clara Street at Almaden Ave. The finish line is located at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

WHAT’S ALLOWED IN THE RACE

CAN I LISTEN TO HEADPHONES WHILE PARTICIPATING?

Yes, headphones are allowed.

WHICH ITEMS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE COURSE?

Per USA Track & Field regulations, the following are not permitted on course: dogs or any pets (except for certified service animals), baby strollers/joggers, bikes, hoverboards, scooters, skateboards, push bikes, unicycles, and wagons.

We reserve the right to remove anyone causing a safety hazard from the course.

WILL WE BE ABLE TO CHECK OUR BELONGINGS?

Yes, gear check will be available at the San Jose Chamber of Commerce (101 West Santa Clara St) from 1:30 pm - 5:15 pm. Participants may check small items to be held during the event. All participant belongings must fit in the 12" x 15" clear bags provided by us. Backpacks, suitcases, purses, children, and pets will not be accepted at gear check. You must show your bib number to pick up the bag with the corresponding bib number labeled on it. No exceptions will be made. All items left after the race will be donated.

RACE COURSE

ARE THERE ANY WATER STOPS?

Yes, there will be water stops on the course and in the finish area.

WHAT IF I NEED MEDICAL HELP?

There will be first aid responders on the course and an ambulance & EMTs at the finish line.

VIRTUAL

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I SUBMIT MY VIRTUAL RUN TIME?

You can submit your run time on our results page from December 14 through December 21. If you use our RaceJoy app to complete and track your run, your results will automatically be uploaded to the results page. 

WHAT IS RACEJOY?

RaceJoy is an application that tracks your 5K run/walk and automatically uploads your results to the results page for your event. This app is free to use and you must download the app before race week from the App Store. You need to carry your phone with you to track your time through the app. You can also track your friends and family member’s runs and send them cheers or audio messages. Not running? Download the app to watch your runner complete their run as a spectator!

HOW DO I USE RACEJOY?

Once downloaded, go through the RaceJoy Tutorial to learn how to find your event and track your run. Once you have selected your event and entered your bib number, you are ready to track your run. Go to My Races on the day you choose to complete your 5K run/walk, and just hit the green ‘GO’ button once you begin! Make sure your GPS tracking is ON and WIFI is OFF (if you are leaving the house for your run). Once you are finished, hit the red ‘END RUN’ button to complete your run and submit your results to the leaderboard. 

RACE RESULTS

WHERE AND WHEN WILL THE RACE RESULTS BE POSTED?

After the race, results will be available at this link HERE.

VOLUNTEERS

WHERE IS THE VOLUNTEER CHECK IN?

Volunteer check in is at 10 S Almaden Blvd, San Jose, CA 95113.

WHERE DO I FIND THE PARENTAL PERMISSION SLIP FOR VOLUNTEERS UNDER 18?

The waiver is included during the volunteer sign up process. If you are under 18, please have your parent or guardian approve it when you register.

HOW DO I GET MY VOLUNTEER SLIP SIGNED FOR SCHOOL?

Please return to volunteer check in after your shift and notify them that you need your volunteer slip signed for school so they can sign it off.

RACE SHIRTS

WHEN/WHERE DO WE PICK UP OUR SANTA RUN LONG-SLEEVED RACE SHIRTS?

You can pick up your race materials at Sports Basement Almaden (5353 Almaden Expressway in San Jose) on Friday, December 12 or Saturday, December 13 from 12 pm - 5 pm.

I REGISTERED FOR THE WRONG SHIRT SIZE, CAN I CHANGE IT?

Yes! You can change your registered shirt size by clicking the "Manage Your Registration" link included in your confirmation email until December 7. If you would like to change your shirt size after December 7, please visit the solutions table at Sports Basement during packet pickup and we will do our best to accommodate.

WHAT DO I NEED WHEN I GO TO BIB PICKUP?

You’ll need to know the first and last name of the runner and/or their bib number.

MISCELLANEOUS

IS THE RACE HAPPENING RAIN OR SHINE?

Yes, Santa delivers in all weather and so will we!

WHERE ARE THE RESTROOMS?

Restrooms are located near the starting line and at the south end of Christmas in the Park.

I’VE LOST SOMEONE (CHILD, PARENT, FRIEND) WHAT DO I DO?

Go to the start stage or finish line tent.

WHERE ARE THE NEAREST TRANSIT STOPS?

The nearest transit is at the San Jose Diridon station, which is served by buses, light-rail, Caltrain, ACE and Capitol Corridor. You can also use VTA light rail by the San Jose Convention Center. There will be a copy of light-rail and Caltrain schedules at the info booth.

WHERE ARE THE NEAREST RESTAURANTS?

There are a lot of restaurant options in downtown San Jose. Please visit www.sjdowntown.com for a list of locations.

Packet Pickup, hosted by Sports Basement Almaden (5353 Almaden Expressway in San Jose), will be held Friday, December 12 & Saturday, December 13 from 12 - 5 pm.
 
Enjoy participant discounts on any Sports Basement purchase when you come in to pick up your gear!

If you are participating in the virtual race AND would like your packet shipped to you, you must be registered by December 7. Race packets will be mailed out the week of December 8.

Friendship pays off!

Refer four friends to join you at the Santa Run for a $20 refund when they register using your referral link. Keep it up until you're running for free!

Just share your unique referral link* with your friends and family (available in your confirmation email) after you register, and once you hit four referrals you will receive an automatic $20 refund!

*Only referrals using your custom link will count towards your refund. Referrals cannot be awarded retroactively.

Please note the new start time at 3 pm!

RACE DAY TIMELINE
1:30 pm - Bib & shirt pickup and gear check begins at San Jose Chamber of Commerce (101 West Santa Clara St)
2:15 pm - Costume contest judging at start line (189 West Santa Clara St)
3:00 pm - 5K Run/Walk starts
4:30 pm - Kids Reindeer Dash starts at the finish festival (125 South Market St)
5:00 pm - Kids run ends
5:15 pm - Bib & shirt pickup and gear check closes

*Times are subject to change.

Grab your family & friends and run your Virtual Santa Run in your neighborhood, on the treadmill, or on your favorite trail anytime from December 14 through December 21! You have a week to complete your 5K and you can utilize our RaceJoy run tracking app for automatic result upload, or manually upload your results here. 

Learn how to use the RaceJoy app here!

You would love to be involved in the race but not as a runner or walker? Join the 2025 Santa Run Silicon Valley as a volunteer by signing up here.

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation produces three annual races that support local non-profits and organizations. Check out our events!

• Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot
• Santa Run Silicon Valley
• Lam Research Heart & Soles Run