Westerville Lions Rudolph 5K Run/Walk and Winter Fest

Race Day Timeline

1:30 PM - Race day check-in and packet pickup will begin underneath the shelter building at the Westerville Sports Complex
2:30 PM - The Rudolph 5K Run/Walk is underway! A 5K run that runs through the Sports Complex and around Heritage Park... you can't beat that! Please note: there will be no late starts allowed. All participants must start the event at 2:30 PM sharp and be complete by 4:00 pm.
3:30 PM - Awards announcements at the finish line.  
4:00 PM - All participants must be complete!  

Awards

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 overall finishers (male and female)

1st overall male and female: $150
2nd overall male and female: $100
3rd overall male and female: $50

We will also have prizes for age groups winners for both genders:

19 and under
20-29 years old
30-39 years old
40-49 years old
50-59 years old
60-69 years old
70 and up

Giveaways

We have race shirts printed by Rising Moon Custom Apparel (while supplies last). Our t-shirt order date is Nov. 11, and all shirts and shirt sizes are guaranteed within the registration platform through this date. After Nov. 11, shirts and shirt sizes will be first come, first serve within the registration process (all inventory currently available is listed as such when you sign up and any sold out sizes will be noted). All finishers will also receive a Rudolph Run finisher medal (last year's medal is pictured below for reference). Water and snacks will also be available at the finish line.

Last year's finisher medal!

Early Packet Pickup

You can pick up your race swag at Columbus Running Company's Westerville location (50 N State St 43081) on Friday, December 6 (10a-8p) and Saturday, December 7 (10a-6p). There is also race day check-in and packet pickup available on race day starting at 1:30 pm (details in the "Race Day Timeline" section above).

Safety

Strollers are allowed for this race. We kindly ask that if you have a stroller to please start near the back of the pack at the starting line.

Dress for the Season

Holiday races are always fun, and can be even more fun when participants are racing in costume. We encourage our participants to run or walk their race dressed in reindeer antlers, Santa costumes, elves, snowmen, etc. Have fun and let's show our holiday spirit!

Interested in becoming a sponsor for 2024?

Our sponsor letter is included in the PDF below.

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.

Founded in 1928, the Westerville Lions Club is the oldest service organization in Central Ohio.  We are local men and women who volunteer our time to provide service to the Westerville community.  Profits from Lions events go to charitable organizations.  Among our contributions

• Free quality eye care, eyeglasses, Braille-writers, large print texts, white canes and guide dogs for the visually-impaired
• Hundreds of pairs of donated eyeglasses distributed to those in need each year
• Collect plastic for 'bags to benches'. To date we have donated over 20 benches to the community preventing 5 tons of plastic film from going into the landfill
• Pick up litter along a 2 mile stretch of State Route 3 north of Westerville
• Scholarships to six seniors graduating from Westerville High Schools each year
• Sponsorship and volunteer support to Westerville BMX 

Westerville-area elementary school students can take part in the Elementary School Challenge 5K to try and earn prize money for their school. Here is how it works:

RULES

• The entry fee is $30 per student
• Schools must have at least 8 STUDENT runners participate to qualify
• For any school with at least 8 student runners, the top 8 times will be counted, with the lowest combined time winning!
• School prizes will be as follows: Top school - $250; second place school - $200; and third place school - $175

To enter, student runners age 12 and under should use the "Elementary School Challenge 5K" option above to register.

Elementary School Challenge team winners will be announced via email and social media on the Monday after the race.

Area businesses can register a team and take part in the Business Team Challenge to earn prizes and bragging rights. Here is how it works:

RULES

• The entry fee is $35 per Business Team member ($40 after November 1st)
• Businesses must notify the Westerville Lions that they intend to field a team before team members register.  To qualify, a business team must have at least 5 registered runners
• For each business team, the top 5 best times will be counted, with the lowest combined time winning
• Business prizes will be as follows: Top business  - $250; second place- $200; and third place - $175

To enter, runners should register using the “Business Team Challenge 5K” option above.register.

Business Team Challenge team winners will be announced via email and social media on the Monday after the race.