Tacky Wonderland Is Back!

The holidays are sweet, so this year we’re turning up the sugar with a candy theme! Step into a tacky wonderland filled with lights, elves, gum drops, peppermint sticks, the big man himself...and more! We've turned RVA's favorite holiday tradition into a can't miss experience for anyone and everyone! Travel to the North Pole and spend a night immersed in holiday cheer.

Youth pricing available for ages 4-14; pricing will adjust on the check out page.

2020 CarMax Tacky Light Run Participants will receive $5 off their registration (excludes Christmas in July pricing).

Packet Pick-Up @ Santa’s Workshop

Fri, Dec. 10

4:00 – 6:30 PM location TBD

Sat, Dec 11

4:00 – 6:00 PM @ the North Pole in Mid-Lothian Mines Park.

A Photo ID or RunSignup Confirmation Email are required to pick up your packet. You may pick up a packet for another pre-registered participant, provided you have a copy of their photo ID or confirmation email.

PERKS

Santa Tracker – bib
Admission to the North Pole
Ornament Finisher Medal
Participant Swag Choice: Knit hat or short sleeve t-shirt
Plenty of Photo Ops

Please note: Secret Santa Glow Kits & other holiday-themed merchandise are available during the online registration process for an additional fee.

Virtual

Unable to participate at Walton Park, but still want to be part of the festive cheer?! Participate virtually, bring your family, & revel in the tacky!

How it works:

• Register by Dec 11
• Participate on your own tacky course
• Have fun!

Cost Includes:

• Santa Tracker – bib
• Ornament Finisher Medal
• Participant Swag Choice: Knit hat or short sleeve t-shirt
• Packet Mailing

For those who register by Nov 19, shipping will begin the week of Nov 22. After Nov 19, shipping will continue on a rolling basis.

Celebrate Your Finish

Even if we are not together, we want to see your holiday spirit. Dig out your grandmother’s favorite holiday sweater, charge those battery packs, & wear all the garland you can find. Post a photo or video to share your virtual experience using the race hashtag #nevertootacky.

Tacky Wonderland Course

Click here to download a map of tacky wonderland. The course starts and finishes on Woolridge Road adjacent to Mines Park.

You’ll weave your way through the Walton Park neighborhood, where you will be dazzled with lights and sights from the North Pole and beyond. It is a 6k, but who cares about the distance when Santa and his elves are cheering you on?!

For a full listing of road closures, click here.

Reindeer Parking

A limited amount of parking is available within walking distance:

• Surface lots off of Walton Park Lane & Browns Hill Ct near The Goddard School & MEDI Weightloss Clinic (approx. 0.3 miles)
• First Citizens Bank off Midlothian Tpke. (approx. 0.3 miles)
• The Millworks @ the Green (approx. 0.4 miles)
• Midlothian Middle (approx. 0.7 miles)
• JB Watkins Elementary (approx. 1 mile)

Polar Express Parking**

• John Tyler Community College in Lots A, B, & D (800 Charter Colony Pkwy, Midlothian, VA 23114) – use the Greenway Crossing Drive entrance off of Charter Colony Pkwy.
• Midlothian High School (401 Charter Colony Pkwy Midlothian, VA 23114). 

NOTE: Shuttles will drop off & re-board at Woolrdidge Road & Mid-Lothian Mines Park/Start/Finish Festival. The Polar Express will begin at 4 PM. from each lot. Allow 30 mins for getting from the off-site parking to the event.

Sports Backers created Kids Run RVA to make running & active living fun for kids of all ages, abilities, & backgrounds. Kids Run RVA promotes physical activity to youth across the Richmond region & encourages more kids to get moving more often. Between our programs & events, we instill healthy habits that continue to flourish into adolescence & adulthood. We are so excited to be back with in-person run clubs & youth running events this school year, but we need your support to make it all happen for the kids of RVA!

Play Santa for the kids of RVA by setting up your own fundraiser & making your Tacky Light Run miles matter! 

Let’s Go, RVA! Sports Backers mission is to inspire active living in all corners of our community. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to producing quality sporting events & programs that motivate residents & visitors to be more active, supporting youth running & fitness programs, & advocating for safe bike & pedestrian infrastructure. 

Due to COVID-19, we had to stop all in-person events & cancel all in-person programming in the Spring. But, our staff is hard at work bringing virtual & social distancing options to our region including virtual & outside fitness classes, virtual kids physical activity videos & classes, workout challenges, virtual events, &, most recently, socially distanced in-person events.

Cancellation Policy

Entry fees are non-refundable, even in the case of a race cancellation, event postponement, even format changes, and/or if you are unable to participate. Race numbers and entries cannot be transferred to another person. No exceptions. This means once we have received your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate, and you may not give or sell your number to anyone else. Anyone found participating with another person’s number will be disqualified and both people will be barred from future Sports Backers events, including the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k and VCU Health Richmond Marathon. Sorry y’all, but no dogs allowed.