Christmas Run

The Vilnius Christmas Run takes participants through Lithuania’s capital during the holiday season, with most of the course set on the streets of Vilnius Old Town. It is the oldest Christmas run in Lithuania and the country’s largest by participation for this race type, attracting nearly 4,000 runners. The primary distances are 12 km, 6 km, and 3 km, plus a 300 m Kids Run. The 12 km distance represents the 12 months of the year, with the shorter races set at half and a quarter of that main distance. The event originated as a New Year’s gathering for a small group of running enthusiasts, initially named the New Year’s Run before adopting the Christmas title. Its initial start and finish were at Žalgiris Stadium, before the event relocated to the Old Town streets. Costumes are a feature of the day: runners frequently appear as Santa figures, Christmas characters, film heroes, or other recognizable figures. The participants are diverse, including veteran runners, children, club runners, and casual holiday participants; one consistent participant, Vytautas Stanevičius, has completed every race since its inception.