White Elephant 5K & 1 Mile

Get in the holiday spirit with the White Elephant 5K and 1 Mile

When: Saturday, December 9, 2023
Where: The Square in Fayetteville
5K race: Starts at 8 a.m.
1 Mile fun run: Starts at 9 a.m.

Lights of the Ozarks, holiday music, hot cocoa and "White Elephant" gifts! These 5K and 1 Mile road races (run/walk) are sure to be jolly. 

Registration

Online registration will open on July 1, 2023 and can be found on RegWiz. Get your crew signed up to jingle all the way with us on December 9.

Volunteers

If you are looking to get involved, we have plenty of opportunities for you such as event set up, participant check in, and course monitors. Register for this or any Fayetteville Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs event via Give Pulse or contact Tiffany Hoover, Assistant Recreation Superintendent, by email.

Sponsors

The Fayetteville Race Series would not be successful with out support from our event sponsors. Thank you to those who have contributed! For information on sponsorship opportunities, please view the 2023 Sponsor Packet and contact Fayetteville Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs.

Registration

Online registration will open on July 1 and can be found on RegWiz. Get your crew signed up to jingle all the way with us on December 9.

• 8 a.m.: 5K race start
• 9 a.m.: 1 Mile fun run start

Cost

• 5K Adults (16+): $30
• 5K Youth: $15
• 1 Mile Adult (16+): $20
• 1 Mile Youth: $10

Registration include a long sleeve shirt, finisher medal, photo downloads, and more from our sponsors!

Packet Pick Up

Goody bags and timing devices will be available for pick up on Friday, December 8 from 4-6pm at Rush Running in Fayetteville. 
Race day packet pick up will also be available at the Fayetteville Town Center from 7 - 8:30 a.m. 

Race Day

The 5K race will start at 8 a.m.
The 1 Mile fun run will start at 9 a.m. 

Post-race/run celebrations at the Town Center (lobby and plaza) will take place until 9:45am. 

• Course will be marked with signs (orange arrows) and spray chalk (white)
• There will be a lead bicycle and a sweep
• There will be a water station near the halfway mark (5K Only)
• This is not a closed course, use extra caution when running in / crossing streets
• Dogs are not allowed in the race or fun run
• Holiday themed attire is welcomed, the tackier and uglier the better!
• We will have coffee, cocoa, bagels, water, and fruit available at the race / fun run

Parking

There will not be parking available on The Square, however there are plenty of free options in the vicinity of it. Two large lots are located on Church Ave / Center Street. The Town Center Parking Garage is also open.

Street Closures

Closures for the race and fun run are as follows:

• Dickson Street (from East Ave to Arkansas Ave): 8 - 8:15 a.m.
• The Square: 6 - 10 a.m.

 Other Information

• Awards will be given to the top 3 overall male and female finishers as well as age groups of the 5K race only.
• Santa will be floating around the start/finish area – so bring the kiddos over to visit with him!

Awards

All 5K finishers will receive a finisher medal. 5K Awards will be given to the top three overall individuals and to the top three overall age group finishers.

• 5K Age groups: <9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, >70.

All 1 mile fun run participants will receive a finisher item.

Course Details

The White Elephant 5K and 1 Mile run/walk will be a road race and will take place on an open course. The course will utilize roads in the downtown area of Fayetteville. 

Street Closures

Street Closures for the race are as follows: Dickson Street (East Ave to Arkansas Ave): 8 - 8:15 a.m., The Square: 6 - 10 a.m.  

Maps

• 5K Course Map
  1 Mile Course Map

The start/finish will be on the Mountain Street side of the Fayetteville Square.

The 5K course will have one water/aid station near the halfway point. 

Pre/Post race celebrations will be on the Town Center Plaza and Town Center Lobby.

2022

2022 Results (provided by Race Wizard)
2022 Photos (provided by Kate Austin Photography)

2021

2021 Results (provided by Race Wizard)
2021 Photos (provided by 1611 Photography)