The Christmas Gift 5k is an event that will run at Snake River Landing for its ninth year on December 5th, 2020. The 5k fun run will donate needed items to the Ronald McDonald House which helps provide for local families fighting health issues. The course for the event will run through the beautiful and decorated Snake River Landing and act as a kick-off for the month’s festivities. This event will include a 5k race and one-mile fun run with prizes given to the top competitors, a gift-wrapped race bag provided to each runner, a commemorative finisher ornament for every finisher, gift decorated course, chip timing, and a fastest Santa competition.

We are once again supporting the new Ronald McDonald House Charity Room at EIRMC. They have requested that we help them fulfill their wish-lists for the families staying in their care. They do great things for children fighting serious illnesses. They have requested specific items to be donated this year, and you can find the list at the bottom of this page. Donations will be accepted both on the day of packet pickup and the day of the race.

We know things have changed due to Covid-19, and we have adapted for that reason. We are going to do our best to allow you to not have to be near those you do not live with. There will be no opening ceremony or awards ceremony. Runners will come to the start line between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to begin their race. You will start at your own time and we ask that you leave after you have completed the course. Please wear a mask when you are not running and maintain a 6-foot distance from others as well as you can. PLEASE DO NOT COME IF YOU CURRENTLY ARE OR RECENTLY HAVE EXPERIENCED COVID-19 SYMPTOMS.

Packet pickup will be at Bill’s Bike and Run (930 Pier View Drive Idaho Falls, ID, 83402) on Friday, December 4th, from 4-6 p.m. If you can’t make it on Friday, you can still pick up your gift before the race on Saturday. The race start will be at the same location the next morning at 9:30 a.m. There is plenty of parking available behind Bill’s Bike and Run.

As is tradition, we will have a 1-mile children’s elf-chase. The elf-chase will start at 10:45 a.m. It does not require any sort of registration because they won’t have numbers or chip timing, but we do ask that you offer a donation if your child decides to run. If your child is under the age of 6 they must not run alone. A parent or sibling over the age of 10 must run with them to be sure they don’t get lost on the course. It is an out-and-back so it shouldn’t be too hard.

In line with our theme, “Spreading Christmas Cheer,” we hope that we will see all of our 5k runners dressed up as Santa! A “Santa” must be dressed up with more than a hat to be considered for the Fastest Santa Contest. Only one award will be given to the Fastest Santa, so come ready to run like you are delivering presents to the whole world in one night – on foot!

Even if you are not dressing up as Santa, please dress warmly. It is December and it will be cold outside. We suggest having an ear warmer and gloves, long pants or leggings, and a windbreaker at the very least. The predicted high temperature on Saturday is 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don’t forget that we will have the real Santa Claus at Bill’s Bike and Run. He will not be able to have anyone sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas this year, but he will still be there to spread Christmas cheer!

We have also designed a new course! With the creation of a new road on Snake River Landing, we have access to more paved pathways. Check out the new course here.

TIMELINE:
Friday, December 4th:
4-6 p.m. packet pickup

Saturday, December 5th:
9:30 a.m. You can start your race! (Remember, each runner will start on their own time.)
10:00 a.m. The last call to start the 5k course.
10:45 a.m. Elf Chase start

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