In Manteca, California, out on Button Avenue,
the folks at CWC Life have some Christmas work to do.
They're stringing up lights from the roof to the door.
They're baking up cookies, then baking some more.
The tule fog's rolling, the orchards are bare,
and Christmas is coming. It's there in the air.
But up on a mountain, all grumpy and green,
lives the grumpiest grump that you ever have seen.
He's heard all the singing. He's heard every bell.
"BAH! WHO-BUG!" he grumbled. "I'm not feeling well!"
So he's grabbed his old sack and he's hitched up his sled,
and he's bound for Manteca, or so it's been said.
So lace up your sneakers and bundle up tight.
It's three point one miles to set Christmas right.
Run it or walk it, come quick or come slow,
just beat him to Button Ave. Ready? Set? GO!
Keep an Eye Out
Now this fellow is sneaky. He's sly and he's slick.
He'll hide behind hedges. He'll pull a fast trick.
He'll duck behind mailboxes, crouch under trees,
and cut through a parking lot quick as you please.
He might be behind you. He might lie in wait.
He might be that shape in the fog by the gate.
So keep your eyes peeled for a flash of bright green,
then zoom right on past him before you've been seen!
The Greatest Gift of All
Now our grumpy green fellow, as grumps tend to do,
thinks Christmas is presents, the whole season through.
Snatch the gifts and the garland, the tinsel, the tree,
and Christmas is over. At least, so thinks he.
But long before tinsel and long before lights,
a Star hung alone in the stillest of nights.
It shone on a manger. It shone on a stall.
It shone on the Gift that was given for all.
So the grump can take ribbons and boxes and bows.
He can take every stocking, right down to the toes.
But the Gift in that manger, so small and so dear,
is the one Gift he'll find he can't take from us here.
We hear that his heart is a couple sizes small.
And maybe this year it will grow after all.
The Mystery Medal
What's on the medal? Well, that we won't say.
You'll find out for sure when you cross on race day.
It's shiny and golden and made just for you,
and the only way to get one? Come running on through!
Race Day
Schedule
Saturday, December 12, 2026
7:00 AM Packet pickup begins
8:15 AM Pre-race ceremony
8:20 AM National Anthem
8:30 AM Race begins
9:30 AM Closing remarks
Packet Pickup
Race morning only, starting at 7:00 AM at CWC Life. Give yourself time to park, grab your bib, and get your costume dialed in before the start.
The Course
The 5K loops around the CWC Life campus and the surrounding neighborhood. Run it, walk it, or chase a certain green grump through it. Every pace is welcome.
CWC Life
786 Button Ave, Manteca, CA 95336
Countdown to Race Day
Grab your friends and your family. Grab a Santa hat too.
Grab your ugliest sweater. (Yes, we're talking to you.)
The clock's ticking down and the grump's getting near,
so sign up today, and we'll see you right here!
FAQ
You can walk it, you can jog it, you can run it if you please.
You can stroll it with your grandma. You can skip it in the breeze.
Every pace is a fine pace, so whatever you do,
just get to the finish. We'll be waiting for you.
Race morning at seven. Not one minute before.
Swing by CWC Life and we'll have your bib for sure.
Pin it on tight and get ready to run.
It's three point one miles of frost, fog, and fun!
Can you wear a costume? Can a reindeer fly?
Wear a sweater that's ugly. Wear a hat stacked up high.
Wear tinsel. Wear jingle bells. Wear stripes on your socks.
And green? Green's allowed. Just don't run off with a box.
Do you get a medal? Oh yes, yes, you do!
Every finisher gets one. It's custom. It's new.
It was made for this race and this race alone,
so cross the finish line and take yours on home.
Got a question we missed? A puzzle? A query?
Don't sit there and wonder. Don't sit there all weary.
Click Contact Us up top and send a note our way,
and we'll get back to you without much delay.
