Get ready for a holiday race with a playful twist! Welcome to the White Elephant 5K/10K/Half Marathon—the event inspired by everyone’s favorite gift-swapping tradition, where surprises, silliness, and a little friendly chaos make the fun. Just like the classic holiday game, this race celebrates the joy of “re-gifting,” transforming leftover treasures into unforgettable memories.

We'll be dashing on the Atlanta BeltLine from New Realm Brewing 8:30 am.

Athletes will select their preferred shirt size at registration, but the actual shirt remains a mystery until after the race. When you cross the finish line, you’ll unwrap your very own surprise bundle—a race shirt and finisher medal from a previous event, packaged White Elephant–style for a fun and festive reveal.

In addition to the post-race surprises, we’ll honor performance in the traditional way with awards to the top three male and female finishers in five-year age groups, beginning with 10 & under and continuing through our most experienced participants.

With distances for every level—a festive 5K, a spirited 10K, and a challenging Half Marathon—the White Elephant Run is the perfect way to celebrate the season with humor, heart, and holiday cheer.

Welcome to the White Elephant 5K/10K/Half Marathon—unwrap the fun, embrace the unexpected, and enjoy every mile of this joyful holiday tradition!

Event details and schedule

Course & Timing

Water Stations:

We will have Self-Serve water stations approximately every 1.5 miles. If you are wanting to run fast and not stop, you might want to bring your own personal hydration.

 

Click here for the 5K Course Map

 

Click here for the 10K Course Map

Click here for the Half Marathon Course

 

Race check in & Early packet pickup

For the White Elephant races, only bibs will be given at race check-in or Early Packet Pickup. We want you to be anticipating your gift. All shirts and finisher medals (the gifts) will be given after athletes cross the finish line, so be sure to go back to registration area to get your gift.

Awards & Goodies

Everyone gets a "white elephant" finisher medal after the cross the finish!

Awards:

• Overall M/F
• Overall Master M/F
• Overall Grand Master M/F
• Overall Senior Master M/F
• Top 3 M/F in all the normal age groups 10 & under - 80+

NOTE:  *Race shirts and finisher medals will be from prior events, we'll do our best to wrap up the size you've requested.  We'll bring out some extra shirts if anyone ends up wanting to "swap out"!

Virtual Running - How it works & link for time submission

Can't make it out to the event site on race day?

Still want to participate and have a shot at an award? or maybe you saw the shirt and said:  "Sweet...I want one!"  Then the virtual race is for you.  Run when & where you want, just submit your time by end of Race Day.  We'll ship out virtual packages the Monday after event date! *Shipping available for continental US only.

New to Virtual Running?  Here's how it works:

Step 1

Get excited, grab some friends and buddies to join you!  Sign up and register for the White Elephant 5K!

Step 2

Hydrate, grab your buddy (or not) and get ready to get moving!

Step 3

Get out there and run or walk! You can run at the park, your favorite route in your neighborhood; anywhere you want.   Please remember to be safe!

Step 4

HAVE FUN!~

Share your distance, a selfie, or a picture along your race route and use the hashtag #WhiteElephant5K

Step 5

Submit your results.

You can submit your race time here anytime until 11:59 PM on event day. 

Step 6

View your Results Monday after the Event Date.

 

Event Courtesy & Refund Policy

Our events are designed to be fun for the entire family. With that in mind; any competitor, spectator, parent, volunteer, or sponsor, exhibiting unsportsmanlike
conduct or interfering with the positive, competitive atmosphere of the event will be asked to leave the venue and course immediately with no refunds.

All registrations are final. There are no refunds, deferments, or transfers.

Event will take place rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather, we will cancel for the safety of the participants...there are no refunds in this case.

Participants that do not show up to race/event forfeit their right to any swag.

No COVID-19 Refunds.  If unforeseen circumstances arise due to COVID-19, including any Federal or State Health Emergency, refunds will not be provided.  The event will go 100% Virtual & shirts will be shipped to participants.

Five Star Turkey Trot

All participants will be eligible for one free entry into one of the 2025 Five Star Turkey Trots; see website for details.

Event Schedule

December 11 (Early Packet Pickup)

• 4pm - 7pm
  @New Realm Brewing ATL
  550 Somerset Terrace NE #101, Atlanta, GA 30306

 

December 12

• 7:30 am:  Check-in & Race Day Registration Opens
• 8:15 am:  Half Marathon Starts
• 8:30 am:  10K start
• 8:45 am:  5K race start

 

 

Race Website

Additional race information can be found at https://www.fivestarntp.com/races/White-Elephant-5K.

Packet Pickup

We always do packet pickup on race morning starting one hour prior to the start of the race.  If we have an early pickup available, it will be added here.