Santa's Dash for Ca$h

 The Santa's Dash for Cash event is a celebration of Slo-Hi/Denver and EVERY finisher will get a bonus envelope! Some of the gift envelopes contain CA$H, at least one envelope includes $100!

5k Run is chip-timed and performance-based awards are given in this distance.

We have two fantastic locally owned businesses that are giving you the hook-up! 

Natuur- is hosting an after party with three raffle prize drawings from 11:10am- 12Noon at the Sloan's Lake 1525 Raleigh St.  1/2Mile from the finish line!  Every single racer receives at least a 20% off coupon in your prize envelope!  25 Lucky Santa Runners get a $10 voucher & 25 more get $5 vouchers!

All day long:  Head over to Joyride Brewing after the race for a BOGO Beer! Simply show your race BIB with tear-off and your ID. 

Pre-Event Contact

We would love to work with you to feature your product or business with our racers.  There are many ways to be involved and gain exposure, from hosting a packet pick up location or after party, sponsoring a water station, adding a goody or coupon to the goody bag, providing an in-kind donation/sample for the racers on the course or at the finish line, or setting up a booth on race-day at the expo. 

We can feature your business on the event web page, racer emails or social media!  All sponsorship payments must be received before your business is included in any kind of mention or posting.

Please contact our sponsorship team before the race with any questions:

Sponsor Contact:
AJ Benefield
Email: AJ@3WRaces.com

Goody Bag Stuffer

If you have arranged to place something into the Goody Bag, please make sure your 'stuffer' reaches us by the deadline so our volunteers and staff can get it into each racer's goody bag!  Items received after the deadline will not be in the goody bag.

Stuffer Deadline:  FRIDAY before race week: December 11, 2026 by 4:00 PM

Stuffer Quantity: 300 (Subject to change closer to race date.)

Stuffer Address: MAIL OR DROP OFF: 3W Races at 7960 Hollywood St, Commerce City, CO 80022

If you would rather drop off in person than mail/ship your items, please email us in advance to make arrangements.
 

Tent/Table Rental:  You will be given approximately 12'x12' of space.  Tents and tables are NOT included, however, some of you have already arranged for table/tent rental from 3W Races.  In that case, your tent and or table will be set for you at your designated space.

A tent rental is $95 and tables are $20 each to rent for the event.  3W will bring the tent/table, set it up at your designated location and tear it down at the end of the event.  If you are interested in this arrangement, please coordinate with us at least one week in advance.
 

Racer Data: 3W Races Average Demographics:
69% Female
31% Males

3% Under 18
11% 18-29
21% 30-39
42% 40-49
18% 50-64
​5% Over 65

Race Day Logistics

ADDRESS: South Central Area
W 17th Ave
Denver, CO US 80212

TIME: 8:00-9:00AM Vendor Set Up, Race starts at 10am, 11:15am is Tear Down. The finish line officially closes when the last runner crosses.

SURFACE: Grassy Lawn. Tent WEIGHTS are recommended.  Stakes are NOT allowed in Sloan Lake Park.

BOOTH LOCATION:  Please check in the Race Director upon arrival and you will be assigned a location for set up.

PARKING: There is parking near the expo. If you have more than one staff member, please carpool! 

Race Day Contact

Race Director Direct Number:303-667-5685
AJ Benefield 
AJ@3WRaces.com

LOCATION:

Utica & @ 17th Ave on the SOUTH Side of Sloan Lake.

5k COURSE MAP - CLICK HERE

This course is FLAT AND FAST - check out the elevation!  Run from the south side of Sloan Lake park in a COUNTER CLOCKWISE loop around the lake back to the playground area that is the expo/finish line.

Course Surface: Concrete Path

Water/Snacks and Restroom Facilities are at the Start/Finish area.  There are no restrooms or water stations on the course.

Date: Thursday Dec 17, 2026
Time:4-7pm
Location: Road Runner Sports Lakewood
Address:  400 S Teller St Lakewood CO 80226

There is a free parking garage around the corner on S Saulsbury Street.  It is short walk to Road Runner from the garage

APPU FAQs:

Yes, you can pick up for a friend or send someone to pick up for you!
Yes, we will accept walk up registrations during advanced packet pick up.
Yes, you can pick up your packet during advanced packet pick up even if you just signed up!

COVID INFORMATION: We are following the current Denver County and State of Colorado guidelines.

When signing up for this event, you agreeing to a set of COVID guidelines and social contract. Those guidelines will include:
1. You agree to wear a mask/face covering when in the expo area, start corral and after you cross the finish line. Face covering will not be required while you are running.
2. You agree to social distance of at least 6 ft while at the event including in the start area, finish area, and expo.
3. You must be "healthy" to attend. Please stay home if you are exhibiting any covid-like or other illness type symptoms including, but not limited to: fever, cough, sneezing, sore/scratchy throat, etc.
4. You will not arrive at the expo/start area more than 30 minutes before your scheduled start time/wave. When you arrive, you are instructed to go to the starting area and your starting corral section (marked by signs and volunteers). After you finished, you are instructed to leave as soon after as possible and not cross through the starting area.
5. You will agree to bring any race hydration/nutrition needed before or during your race. There will NOT be a water station on the 5k course. There will be water and some light snacks at the finish line. 

In addition, all runners will be sent out in small waves (depending on current COVID Dial status) to allow for social distancing (waves assigned at registration). While in the expo area, talking to vendors, and getting finisher food, face coverings will be mandatory. You will  see all of our staff wearing masks at all times and volunteers wearing gloves while handing out finisher food/water. As the regulations change due to this ever-changing pandemic, we will keep registered racers informed with the most recent guidelines.

What else have we done due to COVID-19? Events are capped so that no more than 175 people will be participating in either distance. (Adjusted based on the current COVID dial status.)

All staff has been working 100% remotely and is reporting their health status leading up to the event.
Any staff or volunteers who are experiencing symptoms or who simply do not feel comfortable working this event will stay home.
Any paid participant who cannot run on race day due to symptoms should email the race director so we can make your participation 'virtual.'

Most FAQs are answered on our parent website. Click here: 3W Races - FAQ

If you have more questions not answered there, email us: info@3wraces.com

CASH - Participants in the 1-ish mile DASH will each receive an envelope at the finish line.  The envelope will contain a prize and some of the prizes are CA$H!  (5k participants are automatically enrolled into the 1-ish mile Dash.  5k Participants do NOT get a prize envelope at the end of the 5k, only at the finish of the 1-ish mile dash.)

Water - There will be NO water stations on the course for this race. Water will be provided in the expo area. Please keep in mind that all 3W Events maintain a cup-free finish area so cups will not be provided.  Bring your own water bottle. You can leave your water bottle at the expo/finish area if you desire!

Dogs and Strollers - are welcome on this course.  Please make sure to have complete control of your dog or your stroller at all times.  Dogs must be kept on a short leash and you MUST stop to clean up after your dog - even in the middle of your race.

WHEN should I run this?

                Run anytime on Christmas Day!

WHERE should I run this?

                That is 100% your choice.  The safest place to run at this time is a treadmill.  If you choose to run outdoors, please take every precaution ordered in your area.  In most of Colorado, that means staying NEAR your HOME.  Don’t drive to a trailhead or a park.  Stay within YOUR neighborhood.  Yeah, that might mean making 10 trips up and down your block!

HOW should I run this?

                Run any way that works for you!  Please, follow social distancing precautions.  If you’re outdoors, wear a mask, stay away from other people, don’t touch anything, don’t drive to a trailhead or park, stay near your home/neighborhood.  Use your treadmill if that is an option for you!

How do I report my TIME?

                On the morning of December 25, 2020, the virtual results submission link will be active.  You’ll be able to submit YOUR time through that link until the end of the day. You'll receive an email on RACE DAY with the link to submit your time.

Are TIMES verified?

                No.  For the virtual event, times reported are on the ‘honor system’.  Please use RaceJoy if possible.  Cost of RaceJoy for participant and 'spectator' use is included in registration fees.  When using RaceJoy, the app will track your GPS positioning, capturing 3.1 or 1 mile for your intended event.  It will automatically post your time/result to the results page for you! 

WILL RESULTS be posted?

                You bet!  Starting December 25, results will be on the RESULTS page of the website.

Will participants be rewarded based on PERFORMANCE?

                No, because participants are running in different locations, times, etc. we will not award anything based on performance.  See next question regarding prizes!

Will there be any PRIZES?

                YES – EVERYONE who registers for this event will be placed in a drawing for a $25 gift card from a local business.  Winners will be announced on 12-26-20.  One winner will be drawn for every five registrations!  You have a 1 in 5 chance of winning $25.  Winners will be contacted by email.

HOW will I get my SWAG?

                It will be sent through USPS.  If your address in your RunSignUp account is outdated, please update it now.  Click on Profile where you may then edit your personal details.   If your address is not in RunSignUp, you may add it now.  Likewise, you may email info@3wraces.com

WHEN will I get my SWAG?

                SWAG will start shipping the Monday of Christmas week.  The final day that we will ship swag is no later than 12-27-20.

Can I use a discount code or voucher toward this event?

Vouchers earned through volunteer shifts or purchased during online specials (e.g. Cyber Monday, etc.) are valid for this event registration (excluding add-on purchases.)  If your code doesn't work during the checkout process, please email info@3WRaces.com before completing your transaction.  It is likely that your code has not yet been loaded into the software for THIS event and we'll be happy to update the code in the system before you check out.

Discount codes (% off, etc) are not valid on this event.  The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for local charities and small businesses.  Pricing/costs have been adjusted as low as possible for participants while still being able to give something of value to our local partners.

Want to win some cool stuff including 3W Races vouchers, gift cards, and gear from our sponsors?  Bring 5 or more items to donate to our Charity Partner on race day and you'll be entered into the exclusive race day raffle!! Drop off items before you run at the charity table near the 3W Race's tent in the expo. After you race, view the RAFFLE board at the registration tent to see if your bib number was pulled for a prize!

Current Need: 
Pull-Ups for boys (size 2T-3T or 3T-4T)
School supplies (crayons, markers, pencils, glue sticks),
Gift cards to Target for foster families

9:00 Late Packet Pick Up and Walk Up Registration

10:00 5k Run Start

10:45 5k Awards

11:30 FINISH LINE CLOSES

We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with Sneakers4Funds to provide you with a socially responsible way to donate your gently worn, used or new sneakers and running shoes to a good cause we support! The sneakers will help benefit Growing Home as well as give a hand up, not a handout, to micro-enterprises in 25 developing countries. The athletic shoes will be kept out of landfills where they can take decades to fully decompose. Visit Sneakers4Funds to learn more!

It's super simple! All you need to do is bring your lightly worn athletic shoes and sneakers to the race (either race day or at packet pick up). We collect them and mail them and a donation is made to Growing Home! 

Please donate only gently worn, used, and new athletic shoes.  These sneakers, trainers, and other athletic shoes will be worn again by people in developing nations, so please make sure there are no holes or soles falling off and that they are in wearable condition.  Dress shoes, sandals, brown shoes, flip flops, cleats, etc. and other shoes that are NOT athletic shoes will NOT be accepted. 

Please tie your shoes together or put a rubber band around the pair! 

Performance Tee: 2025 Images coming soon

60% combed ringspun cotton/40% polyester lightweight jersey
Fabric laundered for reduced shrinkage

Front coverstitched 1x1 baby rib-knit set-in collar (women's)
Tear-away label

ADULT Sizes:

WOMEN's Sizes:

Note - the women's sizes fit very small.  Please consider the sizing chart here before selecting!

PLUSH SANTA HAT: One size fits most (24" circumference)

Per USATF Standards, 10 year age groups will be recognized:

Age groups 5k: M/F 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

The top 3 Men and Women will be recognized as well as the top three m/f in each of the above listed age groups.  Awards will be given in the 5k.  (See race schedule.)

The event is CHIP TIMED.  OVERALL Winners (top three m/f) are scored based on GUN TIME.  All others (age groups) are scored based on chip time.

Your chip time starts when your timing chip crosses the start line.  Your timing chip is adhered to the back of your race bib (race number.)  You will receive this number from the registration volunteers when you pick up your shirt/race packet.  Please wear the bib that is assigned to YOU and not to someone else in your family.  Please wear the bib on the FRONT, OUTSIDE of your clothing just above your hips.  If you wear a bib assigned to someone else or do not wear the bib HORIZONTALLY on the front, outside of your clothing, your result may not register and you will be ineligible for awards.

RESULTS will be sent to you electronically upon finishing (if you opt in for that option during registration) and will be available to view here LIVE during the event and after the race.  Please email us if you find an error, in the case that you wore someone else's bib or your age/gender information, name spelling, etc is incorrect.  info@3wraces.com  RESULTS will be posted LIVE during the event on the RESULTS PAGE.

Bring your kiddos and get a picture with SANTA!

All 5k participants receive:

• FREE RaceJoy GPS Tracking and Results Reporting
• Chip Time
• Eligible for Performance Based Awards
• Event Tee Shirt
• PRIZE ENVELOPE at the finish line! At least 1 envelope contains $100 CA$H
• & SANTA HAT or Headband!

"The challenges people face today call us to go further than ever. Our mission is to stand up for vulnerable children, refugees, and families around the world, because family holds an incredible power to connect us, lift us up, and transform lives." -Chris Palusky, President

Bethany believes every child deserves to be loved, connected, and safe. For more than 75 years, our faith has inspired us to stand for children close to home and around the world. Together, we can change the world through family.

Bring your IN-KIND donations for Bethany Foster Services and you'll be entered into the Race Day Raffle!

Current Wish List from Bethany:

New Winte Coats, Hats, Mittens

Gift cards to Target for foster families

Visit our website.

We are proud to partner with Sneakers4Funds! When you donate your gently used or new athletic shoes at the Central Park, a donation is made to our other charity partner, Growing Home! 

Bring your shoes to Advanced Packet Pick Up or on Race day! Click here for more info!