North Dakota Santa Run
- Date Sat 12th December 2026
- Time 4:15PM CST
- Location Mandan, North Dakota
- Price $32.80 - $41.28
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Get ready for a festive and meaningful experience at the North Dakota Santa Run on Saturday, December 12, 2026, in Mandan, Morton! This heartwarming 5K event invites participants to don Santa suits and run through a cheerful winter wonderland, celebrating the spirit of the holiday season while raising awareness for addiction recovery.
Originally founded as the Bismarck Santa Run, this event has evolved into a beloved local tradition that embodies the principles of compassion, community, and resilience. Inspired by Judge David Reich's vision to support those battling addiction, the North Dakota Santa Run not only promotes physical fitness but also emphasizes the importance of community support and hope for recovery. Proceeds from the event will benefit Hope Manor, a recovery-based housing and support program dedicated to helping individuals rebuild their lives. Join us for a day filled with joy, camaraderie, and the chance to make a positive impact. Together, we run for hope, recovery, and the vibrant spirit of North Dakota!
Originally founded as the Bismarck Santa Run, this event has evolved into a beloved local tradition that embodies the principles of compassion, community, and resilience. Inspired by Judge David Reich's vision to support those battling addiction, the North Dakota Santa Run not only promotes physical fitness but also emphasizes the importance of community support and hope for recovery. Proceeds from the event will benefit Hope Manor, a recovery-based housing and support program dedicated to helping individuals rebuild their lives. Join us for a day filled with joy, camaraderie, and the chance to make a positive impact. Together, we run for hope, recovery, and the vibrant spirit of North Dakota!
Organiser's Description
Running for Hope. Running for Recovery. Running for Community.
The North Dakota Santa Run has a story rooted in compassion, recovery, and community spirit. Originally founded as the Bismarck Santa Run, the event was born from the vision of Judge David Reich, a longtime North Dakota District Judge who saw firsthand the struggles of those battling addiction. Motivated to make a difference, Judge Reich created Runners Against Destructive Decisions (RADD), a running group that uses movement, friendship, and purpose to support those in active recovery.
RADD began on a cold, sleety April morning in 2014 with a simple belief: Running can change your life. It became a supportive community for individuals in recovery, helping them set goals, build strength, and find encouragement on and off the trail. Today, RADD continues to meet every week, offering fellowship, accountability, and the reminder that positive steps both literal and figurative can lead to lasting change.
Seeking a way to bring the message of recovery into the holiday season, founders Judge Reich and his wife Ann introduced the Santa Run a 5K event where every participant dons a Santa suit and runs through a winter wonderland of red suits and white beards. The run quickly became a local favorite, filling the streets with joy while shining a light on addiction recovery and the importance of community support.
In 2024, the Reich family entrusted the future of the event to the Mandan Progress Organization (MPO), ensuring the Santa Run would continue to thrive and grow as a cherished holiday tradition for both Mandan and Bismarck. Under MPOs leadership, the North Dakota Santa Run remains deeply committed to its founding mission raising awareness for addiction recovery and supporting organizations that make a difference in peoples lives.
Proceeds from the run will continue to benefit support Hope Manor a recovery-based housing and support program dedicated to helping individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
The North Dakota Santa Run stands as a celebration of resilience, recovery, and the power of community. Together, we run for hope. We run for recovery. We run for North Dakota.
Well see you at the starting line.
The North Dakota Santa Run has a story rooted in compassion, recovery, and community spirit. Originally founded as the Bismarck Santa Run, the event was born from the vision of Judge David Reich, a longtime North Dakota District Judge who saw firsthand the struggles of those battling addiction. Motivated to make a difference, Judge Reich created Runners Against Destructive Decisions (RADD), a running group that uses movement, friendship, and purpose to support those in active recovery.
RADD began on a cold, sleety April morning in 2014 with a simple belief: Running can change your life. It became a supportive community for individuals in recovery, helping them set goals, build strength, and find encouragement on and off the trail. Today, RADD continues to meet every week, offering fellowship, accountability, and the reminder that positive steps both literal and figurative can lead to lasting change.
Seeking a way to bring the message of recovery into the holiday season, founders Judge Reich and his wife Ann introduced the Santa Run a 5K event where every participant dons a Santa suit and runs through a winter wonderland of red suits and white beards. The run quickly became a local favorite, filling the streets with joy while shining a light on addiction recovery and the importance of community support.
In 2024, the Reich family entrusted the future of the event to the Mandan Progress Organization (MPO), ensuring the Santa Run would continue to thrive and grow as a cherished holiday tradition for both Mandan and Bismarck. Under MPOs leadership, the North Dakota Santa Run remains deeply committed to its founding mission raising awareness for addiction recovery and supporting organizations that make a difference in peoples lives.
Proceeds from the run will continue to benefit support Hope Manor a recovery-based housing and support program dedicated to helping individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
The North Dakota Santa Run stands as a celebration of resilience, recovery, and the power of community. Together, we run for hope. We run for recovery. We run for North Dakota.
Well see you at the starting line.
Races
-
5K Adult (13+)
Incl. $3.28 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 12th December 2026 (4:15PM CST)
$41.28
OPENS 01 OCTEveryone 13 and older runs or walks a 5K in a Santa suit (included in your race packet) in downtown Mandan on Saturday, December 20th. -
5k Youth (Ages 5 - 12)
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 12th December 2026 (4:15PM CST)
$32.80
OPENS 01 OCTYouth registrants (12 & younger) will receive a Holiday Tote with Santa Suit, Youth Long Sleeve Shirt and Race Bib.
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411 West Main St., Mandan, 58554, ND, United States
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North Dakota Santa Run
