Annual Running of the Lights
- Date Tue 9th December 2025
- Time 6:30PM EST
- Location Mishawaka, Indiana
- Price Free
- Races 1 race
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Event summary
Get ready for a magical evening of lights and community spirit at the Annual Running of the Lights on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in Mishawaka, St. Joseph! This enchanting event invites participants to enjoy a festive running tour through the stunning holiday light displays at Winding Brook Park, created by local residents who generously contribute to area charities. This year, Fleet Feet Mishawaka aims to raise $2,000 for local causes, starting with a $1,000 donation and encouraging the running community to help match it with a suggested minimum donation of just $5 per runner.
In addition to donations, participants are encouraged to bring a stuffed teddy bear to spread joy to children in need this holiday season. Choose from three race distances: a full 3.9-mile route, a 3.4-mile shorter option, or a 1.4-mile super short route, all while wearing festive attire and safety lights provided at check-in. The run will start and finish at Walt Disney Elementary School, where volunteers will guide you through the bright and cheerful displays. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the joy of the season, support local charities, and create lasting memories with family and friends!
In addition to donations, participants are encouraged to bring a stuffed teddy bear to spread joy to children in need this holiday season. Choose from three race distances: a full 3.9-mile route, a 3.4-mile shorter option, or a 1.4-mile super short route, all while wearing festive attire and safety lights provided at check-in. The run will start and finish at Walt Disney Elementary School, where volunteers will guide you through the bright and cheerful displays. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the joy of the season, support local charities, and create lasting memories with family and friends!
Organiser's Description
Join us December 9, 2025 for a running tour of Winding Brook Park's brilliant display of holiday lights. Winding Brook Park's residents create beautiful light displays each year and take donations for area charities. Fleet Feet Mishawaka is looking to donate a total of $2000 this year. Fleet Feet will start the donations off with $1000 leaving the remaining $1000 up to our amazing running community. We are suggesting a minimum $5 donation per runner to help get us there.
**Back again!** Teddy Bear Trot! In addition to your cash donations, we encourage everyone to bring a stuffed teddy bear, which will be provided to a local Non-profit to give kids an extra hug this holiday season.
Things all participants should consider:
- Register in advance and submit your donation online.
- We will be parking and having check-in at the Walt Disney Elementary School 4015 Filbert Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
- Participants are required to check-in upon arrival. Participants will receive a safety light that they will be required to wear for the duration of the event at check-in for safety and visibility out on the route.
- All participants are expected to follow the traffic signs in order to tour all the houses on display. The traffic signs will have some sort of flashing light hanging on them to make them more noticeable.
- The run will end where it started to allow participants to cross safely at the traffic light back to their vehicles.
- Volunteers will be on the route to help guide you.
- The lights are pretty bright but be sure to bring a light source like a headlamp or knuckle lights to see any potholes or other dips in the road.
- Christmas Light necklaces and other festive wear are 100% encouraged! We get some great pictures with everyone all lit up.
- Strollers are welcome as long as kiddos stay in them.
- We chose a time that isn't as popular with cars, but they are still present. The vehicle traffic is one-way only if they follow the route. We will be running with traffic most of the time, but may also find ourselves running against traffic in some areas.
- Leave the dogs at home, it's too dark and chaotic for our furry friends.
- If you are not feeling well, please stay home! This protects the rest of the participants and our awesome volunteers.
Route Links (coming soon):
3.9 Mile (Full Route)
3.4 Mile (Short Route)
1.4 Mile (Super Short Route)
**Back again!** Teddy Bear Trot! In addition to your cash donations, we encourage everyone to bring a stuffed teddy bear, which will be provided to a local Non-profit to give kids an extra hug this holiday season.
Things all participants should consider:
- Register in advance and submit your donation online.
- We will be parking and having check-in at the Walt Disney Elementary School 4015 Filbert Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
- Participants are required to check-in upon arrival. Participants will receive a safety light that they will be required to wear for the duration of the event at check-in for safety and visibility out on the route.
- All participants are expected to follow the traffic signs in order to tour all the houses on display. The traffic signs will have some sort of flashing light hanging on them to make them more noticeable.
- The run will end where it started to allow participants to cross safely at the traffic light back to their vehicles.
- Volunteers will be on the route to help guide you.
- The lights are pretty bright but be sure to bring a light source like a headlamp or knuckle lights to see any potholes or other dips in the road.
- Christmas Light necklaces and other festive wear are 100% encouraged! We get some great pictures with everyone all lit up.
- Strollers are welcome as long as kiddos stay in them.
- We chose a time that isn't as popular with cars, but they are still present. The vehicle traffic is one-way only if they follow the route. We will be running with traffic most of the time, but may also find ourselves running against traffic in some areas.
- Leave the dogs at home, it's too dark and chaotic for our furry friends.
- If you are not feeling well, please stay home! This protects the rest of the participants and our awesome volunteers.
Route Links (coming soon):
3.9 Mile (Full Route)
3.4 Mile (Short Route)
1.4 Mile (Super Short Route)
Races
-
Annual Running of the Lights
Tue 9th December 2025 (6:30PM EST)
Free
There is a full route, that is about 4 miles and a slightly shorter route that is about 3.5 miles. You can also opt to cut it short after the first section which is about a mile.
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