A Christmas Story 5K/10K 2026

A Christmas Story 5K/10K is a December running event in Cleveland, Ohio, built around the city locations tied to the movie. Both races start at Public Square on Superior Street, right in front of the old Higbee’s building used in the film, so runners begin at one of the story’s most recognizable Cleveland landmarks. The event offers both 5K and 10K runs, with a virtual option for people who cannot get to Cleveland. The 5K route runs from downtown Cleveland to A Christmas Story House & Museum, turning the race into a point-to-point trip between two movie sites rather than a generic city loop. At its usual size, the event draws roughly 5,500 to 7,200 runners, and staging it means building large start and finish areas, closing city streets, shutting an interstate exit, and setting out many road barricades. Virtual runners receive medals and shirts, and they can complete their run by Christmas Day.