Annual Running of the Lights
- Date Tue 8th December 2026
- Time 6:30PM EST
- Location Mishawaka, Indiana
- Price Free
- Races 1 race
Event summary
Get ready to light up the night at the Annual Running of the Lights on December 8, 2026, in beautiful Mishawaka, St. Joseph! This festive running event invites participants to embark on a magical tour through Winding Brook Park, showcasing stunning holiday light displays created by local residents. Whether you're a seasoned runner or a casual jogger, choose your distance with options of 3.9 miles, 3.4 miles, or a super short 1.4-mile route.
As you enjoy the dazzling displays, you'll also be contributing to a great cause! Fleet Feet Mishawaka aims to raise $2,000 for local charities, starting with a generous $1,000 donation. Runners are encouraged to make a minimum $5 donation and bring a stuffed teddy bear to share the joy of the season with children in need. Participants will receive safety lights for visibility and are encouraged to don festive attire, ensuring a fun and joyful atmosphere. So mark your calendars and join us for a spectacular evening filled with holiday cheer, community spirit, and the joy of giving!
As you enjoy the dazzling displays, you'll also be contributing to a great cause! Fleet Feet Mishawaka aims to raise $2,000 for local charities, starting with a generous $1,000 donation. Runners are encouraged to make a minimum $5 donation and bring a stuffed teddy bear to share the joy of the season with children in need. Participants will receive safety lights for visibility and are encouraged to don festive attire, ensuring a fun and joyful atmosphere. So mark your calendars and join us for a spectacular evening filled with holiday cheer, community spirit, and the joy of giving!
Organiser's Description
Join us December 8, 2026 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.
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)
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
Incl. Blinky Light
Tue 8th December 2026 (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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4015 Filbert Rd, Mishawaka, 46545, IN, United States
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Annual Running of the Lights
