Running of the Lights
Decision scores
Six 0–100 scores telling you, at a glance, who this race is for.
Best for
About the Race
Start your New Year with a healthy tradition at Running of the Lights! This unique January race begins at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day and takes participants on a magical run or walk through the dazzling Tanglewood Festival of Lights in Clemmons, North Carolina. Choose between the 5K(ish) Run/Walk or the 1.75 Mile Fun Run/Walk and experience a one-of-a-kind course that transforms the park’s Christmas wonderland into your personal race route. Before the race, you’ll join hundreds o...
Course Profile
Course profile data unavailable for this race.
Course features
Accessibility & inclusion
Vibe & community
History & past results
Past finisher times and year-over-year participation will appear here once the organizer publishes them.
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Common questions
How hard is the Running of the Lights 5K?
We don't have a verified elevation profile yet — check the organizer's course map for the climb breakdown.
What should I wear?
Dress for ~10°F warmer than the standing temperature once you start running. Throwaway long-sleeve at the start, gloves and a hat for sub-50°F mornings, singlet plus visor when it climbs above 60°F. The race-day forecast above is the source of truth closer to the date.
When does it sell out?
No published deadline. Most races raise the entry fee in tiers and can sell out without warning — sign up early if you're committed.
Similar races worth a look
- More like this in this city: All 5K races in Clemmons, NC
- Same distance, same month: Best 5K races in January
- Same distance, statewide: All 5K races in North Carolina
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