Rotary Santa Run 5K & 1 mile Family Fun Walk & Elf kids run

🎅 Event Overview

Evansville Rotary’s elves are busy preparing for the Santa Run on Saturday, 12/6/2025: The 12th annual Evansville Rotary Santa Run!!

Join us for the 9AM for the CANNON start from Buffalo Trace Council’s Eykamp Scout Center, 3501 E. Lloyd Expressway, Evansville.

Note parking is in the near vicinity: but not available at the Eykamp Scout Center, so plan ahead. We’ll run (or walk) through the beautiful east-side Evansville residential neighborhoods, and you may just see friends and neighbors (and carolers), Evansville’s own The Boom Squad, and Evansville Mounted Police (or is that Central Park Rangers?) cheering you along. Stick around a bit after for award presentation while you enjoy Donut Bank donut balls, apples or bananas from Houchin Industries, and hot chocolate or coffee and other treats.

Prizes: are available for the jolliest of Santa suits. We encourage embellishing your full five piece Santa suit you’ll pick up FRIDAY, 12/5/25 at Eykamp Scout Center, 11amA-6pm or before the race Saturday.

📅 Date and Location

The 5K run and 1 mile walk will be held on Saturday morning, December 6, 2025 at 9 am.

• Start Point: The 5K race will begin at the Buffalo Trace Council, 3501 E Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN.
• Course: The race will travel west to Vann Ave and winds through east-side neighborhoods of Evansville.
• Terrain: The course is relatively flat.

For those participants who would rather stroll the 1 mile course, it will begin at the Buffalo Trace Council and lead you over the pedestrian bridge and back to the start, which is away from the running Santa's.

Beginning at 8:30am is the Santa Elf kids run from 50 meters to 150 meters for kids ages 1-9. All finishers of the kids run will receive a medal.

• 1-3 years old: 50 meters
• 4-6 years old: 100 meters
• 7-9 years old: 150 meters

🏆 Awards

• 5K Awards: Overall Fastest Male and Female will receive a trophy.
• Age Groups: First place male and female winners in various age groups will receive a medal.
• Finishers Medals: All finishers of the kids run will receive a medal.

New this year, the Santa Elf kids run from 50 meters to 150 meters for kids ages 1-9. All finishers of the kids run will receive a medal.

🎉 Most Spirited Award

5 awards total – First place prizes will be awarded to individuals in these categories: Families, Teams, Kids (1-9 years of age), Young adults (ages 10-18), and Adults 19+.

Registration Reminder: Don’t wait and don’t be late. Registration costs goes up to $35 plus the processing fee after December 3, 2025. The Santa Elf registration stays at $5 per child.

📦 Packet Pickup Location

Your Santa suit, race bib number and registration packets will be available to pick up on Friday, Dec.5 from 11am to 6pm in the lobby of the Buffalo Trace Council, 3501 E Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN or on RACE Day, December 6 at the Buffalo Trace Council from 7am to 8:30am, the start of the race. They will not be mailed to you.

📝 Late & Final Registration

If you have not registered for the Rotary Santa Run and decide to get in on all the fun at the last minute, you can register at the lobby of the Buffalo Trace Council, 3501 E Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN on Friday, Dec.5 from 11am to 6pm or on the race date December 6 from 7am to 8:30am, the start of the race.

• Registration Form: You will need to fill out one registration form for each participant.
• Payment: You may pay by cash or check and the cost is $35 per participant.

You will receive your Santa suit, your race bib number and registration packet. Hopefully, we will still have Santa suits available.

🎁 Registration on Race Day!

Come join us on Race Day, December 6 in the lobby of the Buffalo Trace Council, 3501 E Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN from 7 am to the time of the race.

• Payment: You may pay by cash or check and the cost is $35 per person.
• First 800 Registrants: get a Santa suit to wear during the run/walk.

PLEASE NOTE: All registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable. All registered participants will receive a 5-piece Santa suit that is YOURS to keep! (While supply lasts)

🌧️ Race Day

The race must go on!!! There will be no cancellations for inclement weather. After all, Santa wouldn’t cancel Christmas for a little snow!

⏱️ Timing

The race will be officially timed by “To the Finish.” Results will be posted at www.tothefinishtiming.com.

🐾 Strollers and Pets

Strollers may be used in the 5K, but in the event of inclement weather please use caution to keep any children safe. Bicycles and strollers are allowed in the 1-mile walk. Dogs, cats, lions, reindeer, and bears, as well as, skates, skateboards and scooters are NOT ALLOWED in any of the races.

🚗 Parking

Parking will be available at marked lots on the Buffalo Trace Council property and the State Hospital property. Please obey parking signs. Please do not park on the busy streets surrounding the Buffalo Trace Council, as your car may interfere with the runners and the holiday traffic.

For more information, visit the Rotary Santa Run website.