Event Information

Saturday, November 11, 2023

8:30AM EST

Cleveland, OHIO

Come join us at 8:30AM EST on November 11th as we celebrate the holidays in style in the beautiful city of Cleveland! Enjoy some of the most memorable and historic sites on the courses while making memories with friends and family. Costumes are encouraged, dress us in your favorite holiday costumes or favorite Christmas movie characters! We love seeing and even a Leg Lamp or Bunny! This race attracts serious runners, everyday runners and walkers alike! We are family friendly and hope to add to your Christmas spirit during the holiday season. We want to make your stay in Cleveland an amazing experience. We will be featuring many of the area holiday attractions to add to your agenda while you are with us! Refer to the “Holiday Attractions” tab for more information. We will be adding to it periodically as we move closer to race weekend!

Know the course

The starting line is right in the heart of Cleveland in historic Public Square. The 5K and 10K races start right in the middle of Public Square, on Superior Street. Both courses take participants downtown with views of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Guardians Stadiums, traveling over the beautiful Lorain Carnegie bridge with sites of the Cleveland skyline. Next, stop for a picture in front of the script Cleveland sign, before heading down West 14th Street, the heart of the Tremont District. This portion of the course features 7 beautiful churches with some dating back to the 1800’s. Both the 5K and 10K run to 3159 W. 11th Street, the site where the A Christmas Story Movie was filmed in 1983. The 5K finishes at this point, while the 10K turns back on the same route to the original starting area at Public Square. For the 5K runners, buses will be transporting you back downtown near the starting line on Public Square!

turn by turn directions

turn by turn directions

Registration now open for the 2023 cleveland christmas run!

Join us on November 11th at 8:30am, come run with us!

Online Cleveland registration

    • Early bird registration

    • $50

    • May 18th – July 25th 2023
    • Registration

    • $55

    • July 26th – August 31st, 2023
    • Registration

    • $60

    • September 1st – Race Day
  • ** Plus shipping and handling fees.
  • ** or until participant capacity is reached and race is sold out.
Register now

Virtual registration

(USA and CANADA)
    • Early bird registration:

    • $50

    • May 18th – July 25th 2023
    • Registration

    • $55

    • July 26th – August 31st, 2023
    • Registration

    • $60

    • September 1st – Race Day
  • ** Plus shipping and handling fees.
  • ** Virtual registrations received by October 29th will have delivery by Race Day.
  • ** Virtual registrations received between October 30th and November 11th or after will ship by December 1st in time for Christmas 2020
Register now

Virtual Group Registration
(closes October 29th)

Groups of 15 participants or more
    • Early bird registration

    • $50

    • May 18th – July 25th 2023
    • Registration

    • $55

    • July 26th – August 31st, 2023
    • Registration

    • $60

    • September 1st – October 29th
  • ** $3 shipping discount per runner. For group coupon code, email: info@achristmasstoryrun.com
  • ** Plus shipping and handling fees.
  • ** Group attendees must be registered by October 29th for guarantee of supplies on race day.
Register now

Virtual Overseas Registration
(closes October 29th)

(Groups of 15 participants or more)
    • Early bird registration

    • $50

    • May 18th – July 25th 2023
    • Registration

    • $55

    • July 26th – August 31st, 2023
    • Registration

    • $60

    • September 1st – October 29th
  • ** Plus shipping and handling fees
  • ** Virtual Overseas Registration must be registered by October 29th for guarantee of supplies on race day.
Register now

Amenities

What the participants will receive

Cleveland Race Participants Receive

  • A stellar themed Cleveland Christmas Run – Quarter zip long sleeve shirt

  • Unique Christmas themed race bib

  • Collector’s edition Cleveland Christmas Run finisher medal

  • Hot Ovaltine at the finish lines

  • Christmas themed temporary tattoos

Virtual Race
Participants Receive

  • A stellar themed Cleveland Christmas Run – Quarter zip long sleeve shirt

  • Unique Christmas themed race bib

  • Collector’s edition Cleveland Christmas Run finisher medal

  • Finisher certificate

  • Christmas themed temporary tattoos

Virtual Group Registration

(closes October 29th or the sell out date, whichever comes first)

If you have a group of 15 or more participating, save some money and have some fun! Register your group and save $3/participant shipping fee. All packets will be mailed to one location. make this your Christmas Running Party this holiday season! To Register your group, send an email by clicking here and we will get you a group coupon code to get started.

Virtual Switch Option

(closes October 29th or the sell out date, whichever comes first)

Virtual Switch! If you are signed up for the actual race in Cleveland race and your plans change, don’t worry! You can switch to the Virtual Race for nominal fee. Just go to your runsignup.com account. Switch by October 31st for guaranteed delivery before race day on November 11th 2023.

Spectator Information

3 favorite places to watch your favorite runners on race day!

  • Starting Line

    In in front of Tower City Center at Public Square at the starting line

  • Mid Course

    Lincoln Park on West 14th Steet

  • CHEER STATIONS

    We also have two official “CHEER STATIONS” along the route!

We are happy to announce this year that Grumpy’s Café on West 14th St and the Clark Bar on Clark Ave will be celebrating and cheering on the runners! Come to these great establishments as they support the run! Spectators need to arrive between 7:30AM-8:15AM to ensure positioning before the start of the races.

There will be no accommodation for spectators at the 5K finish. No available parking for non residents. This is strictly enforced.

Participant Safety and Public Safety

Spectators and participants alike are the eyes and ears of safety for all that are involved in this event. If a person is in need of medical assistance, call 911 and notify race officials immediately. Your response is key to the safety of others. EMS will be on alert if assistance is needed. Intersections will be staffed by police officers, security personnel and course marshals. Please follow their instructions for the safety of you and others. Thank you in advance for your diligence.

Thank you for helping to keep yourself and those around you safe. Please join us in being vigilant of your surroundings during The Cleveland Christmas Run 5K/10K Weekend. If you see a suspicious person, object or vehicle along or near the race course, report the sighting to 911 or to law enforcement personnel.

Do not store, hide or leave any personal items, backpacks, packages or clothes along or near the race course, including the start and finish line areas on Ontario Street or on West 11th Street at the 5K finish line. Please leave your personal items with a friend or family member.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. There are no refunds or exchanges for this event. We offer the “Virtual Exchange” option for runners that cannot attend. Know that your registration funds support the RoadRunner Enterprises Foundation for Neighborhood Restoration Projects. We are doing amazing things in Tremont!
Yes! Please provide our volunteers with a copy of your driver’s license or ID and your written permission. They may only be picked up in person by you or your authorized representative. This year we will be offering the “Race Packet Mailing” option for participants prior to the event. Packets can be mailed for those unable to make it to packet pick up.
Yes! Transfers are available through October 27, 2023. NOTE: Virtual Switches before October 27, 2023 are guaranteed BEFORE race day. Virtual Switches AFTER October 27th are guaranteed by December 8 2023. Just go to your runsignup.com account and purchase a Virtual Race Switch and we will mail your packets to you.
Yes! Transfers are available through October 27, 2023. There are no extra fees for transferring to the Cleveland race. Once the virtual packets are mailed out after October 27, 2023, the materials are considered delivered, and the transfer option is not available.
No. The race is certified for a limited number of participants, and we are expected to sell out. Any additional participants can risk the safety of those on the course. The race bibs will be marked to distinguish between the virtual/actual race. Virtual runners who attempt to sneak in will be escorted off the course immediately by law enforcement/ security personnel.
Yes! We allow a free transfer from 5K/10K distances. You will need to manage that yourself using your runsignup.com account. Since we have 2 finish lines, we need to have a count for medals at each finish line. You may not change your distance during the course on Race Day, because your medal will be at the original finish line that you signed up for. For instance, if you signed up for the 10K but choose to stop at the 5K finish line, you must return to the 10K finish line to receive your medal. ALL BIBS are COLOR CODED.
To check if you are registered for the race in Cleveland, or the virtual race, you can view the participant list at: __________________________(JIM) fill in____________________
No (Cleveland Race). If the race is not sold out, we can take registrations through Friday, November 10, 2023, whichever happens first.
No. These unique medals and shirts are one of a kind and are exclusive to The Cleveland Christmas Run. The only way to receive these “Major Awards” would be to purchase a race registration. We will have merchandise on hand for sale at packet pick up locations.
No, there is no partnership with the A Christmas Story House.
No, we are not offering a pet option this year. We will re-evaluate this option in 2024.

Restaurants

Grab some great local food after the run.

All of these amazing tremont establishments are open race weekend!

Hotels

Looking for a place to stay race weekend? Here you will find information on official Cleveland Christmas Run Hotels.