Rock'in Santa Half Marathon & Sunshine Santa 5K - ESM Events 5K

Get into the holiday spirit with either a half marathon or 5K run Saturday, December 16th, 2023 from Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville, TN. Events benefit the Sunshine Ambassadors -  Enriching the lives of people with disabilities through dance! Christmas Rock-n-Roll music will abound from Victor Ashe Park and along the routes.

Participants of the half marathon, relay & 5K will receive custom ROCK'IN SANTA long sleeve performance hoodie for the half marathon and SUNSHINE SANTA long sleeve shirt for the 5K. Shirts not guaranteed after December 1st.  Half marathon & 5K finishers will also receive a custom finishers medal.

We have activated RaceJoy mobile app for this year's events.  Once we get closer to the events, we will send out instructions on how to download the app and get set up for race day.  If you want to familiarize yourself or download now, there are instructions at the bottom of this page in the RaceJoy section.  You can share this with family and friends so that they can monitor your progress throughout the race.  They will be able to get notifications just like you will.  Stay tuned for information on RaceJoy. 

Route Links

5K Route - The 5k will start at the Pavilion and continue onto the Greenway to the back of the school and loop right back to the Start/Finish line.

Half Marathon Route : Please note that Greenway course will be 3 loops with a 4 hour time limit. Christmas music at aid stations passed 9 times over route (weather permitting). Note: walkers welcome but Police traffic control will end at 1 PM. 

Half Marathon Relay Route : The Greenway course will be 3 loops with a 4 hour time limit. Each relay member will complete 1 loop each transitioning the next runner at the designated area.  Each Loop is 4.37 miles.  The final runner will complete through the finish line.  Christmas music at aid stations passed 9 times over route (weather permitting). 

Packet pickup:

Friday, Dec. 15 from 4 PM to 6 PM @ Victor Ashe Park race site. Continues at race site Saturday, Dec. 16th from 7 AM to 8:45 AM  Runners can pickup for friends.

Both Half Marathon & 5K  - Age Groups and Awards: Overall awards for the top three male and female finishers & top male and female masters. Age group awards for first, second, and third place in the following M & F age groups: 12-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45- 49, 50-55, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70.

Events will be electronically chip timed: Start & Finish - with Live Results to participants via text / e-mail. Tentative Awards: 5K = 10 AM - Half Marathon = 12:30 PM 

Events benefit Knoxville's Sunshine Ambassadors. Please consider coming out to help this great cause, enjoy & give thanks for the holiday season and bring friends for a memorable run!

Headphones - Any headphone devices are discouraged due to the safety hazard(s) to other runners & runners themselves but allowed as courses only crossing public roads and not being run on them.