Santa Hustle comes to Belmont and Cramerton

Gaston County’s Christmas-related events always draw big crowds.

McAdenville becomes Christmastown, USA, and “Holidays in the Garden” at the Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont is a big annual draw. Our county’s cities and towns are transformed into winter wonderlands during this festive season of the year.

And now there’s something new to add to this list of merry activities. Gaston County Travel and Tourism is thrilled and proud to be working with the Santa Hustle Race Series and local city officials to add to this holiday excitement by bringing you the Santa Hustle Half-Marathon and Five-K (five kilometers; a distance just more than three miles).

From the Windy City to the beaches of the Lone Star State, the Santa Hustle Race Series is now coming to Belmont and Cramerton, Saturday, Dec. 22. The half-marathon will start at 8 a.m., and the five-K will follow 15 minutes later. And kids 12 years of age and under can take part in the one-mile “Rudolph Run” for just $10. The start and finish lines will be in downtown Belmont at 4 N. Main St. The times are subject to change.

With festive music, outrageous holiday decorations and countless runners dressed up like Santa Claus, this is an event you won’t want to miss. So join your fellow Santa runners from across the nation today, and get ready to run a race that you will want to be a part of year after year.

People everywhere have fallen in love with the Santa Hustle Race Series. And once you participate, you will understand why the Santa Hustle has received national attention from such major media outlets as the Travel Channel, ESPN and “The Rachael Ray Show.”

If you love Christmas, enjoy overplayed holiday music, devouring candy and cookies and joining in on a party, then grab your favorite friends and family and register for the 2018 Santa Hustle and Half-Marathon.

Run on over to the Website at www.santahustle.com/northcarolina/ register.

And the 2018 Santa Hustle swag is bound to make your jingle tingle even brighter with a Santa hat, Santa beard, finisher medal and performance hoodies. Make it a VIP experience and add the Santa Hustle Mrs. Claus Package to your registration, which includes a red tutu, arm warmers, candy cane socks and two face tattoos.

Entry fees and more details

Entry fees for the five kilometer run and walk are $44.75 through Dec. 7; $49.75, Dec. 8-21; and $60 on the day of the race.

And correspondingly, the half-marathon’s fees are $64.75 through Dec. 7; $69.75, Dec. 8-21; and $80 the day of the race.

The top three male and female finishers in each age group for the five-K and half-marathon will each receive a customized Santa Hustle medal. The top three overall male and female finishers will each receive a Santa Hustle personalized award.

Age groups are as follows: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over. Awards will be handed out for best group and individual costumes.

Want to help out at the event? Then come volunteer! Every “elf ” will receive an elf shirt, elf hat, food and drink and our continual gratitude.

If you have any questions regarding volunteering, please send your e-mail queries to: volunteer@santahustle.com.

Volunteers will check in pre-registered participants on Friday, Dec. 21, and help pass out the participant bibs, T-shirts, goody bags and any other race information to the participants prior to race day. Training will be required. Volunteers will be assigned to either a water station, candy station, cookie station or course marshal. You will have the option to pick your preference, and we will keep all groups together. Volunteers will be assigned to race day packet pickup and registration, gear check, the starting line or the finish line.

Strollers and walkers are allowed. Strollers and walkers need to start behind all the runners.

Although we love your fur babies, no dogs or any other animals will be allowed on the course. But they can cheer you on.

We hope you’ll join us, Dec. 22!