Ugly Sweater Run 5K Hits Philly Next Month

Photo via Facebook

Confession: I do not love running. And I especially do not love running in the insanely windy Philadelphia winter. But this hilarious holiday-themed race on December 7th just might get me into some fleece-lined leggings and out into the blistering cold.

This is The Ugly Sweater Run’s first year in Philly (yay!), and the concept is pretty simple: Put on that hideous sequined reindeer knit-vest that your grandmother made for you last winter and run the 3.1 mile course through Fairmount Park, hydrating along the way with endless hot chocolate. So basically, you’ll get to live every six year old’s dream. Mustaches are strongly encouraged, but if you can’t grow one (because, ya know, genes), they will gladly give you a temporary ‘stache.

Post-race festivities include free beer and hard cider (!!) along with awards for best real mustache, best fake mustache, best beard, worst sweater and best sweater. So bring your A game! And, in the giving tradition of the holidays, they ask that all runners come with a new toy to put under their gigantic Christmas tree, all of which will go to Philadelphia’s Toys for Tots.

The registration fees operate on a tier system so, the earlier you sign up, the better the price:

Solo Runner/Walker
$39 Early Registration
$44 starting November 23rd
$50 race-day registration, if available

4+ Person Ugly Sweater Teams
$34 per person Early Registration
$39 per person starting November 23rd
$45 per person race-day registration, if available

A day filled with free hot chocolate, beer and mustache contests? Is there anyone in the world who could resist? Besides the Grinch, I mean. Find out more about the event and register here. (Psst! Livingsocial is currently running a deal for discounted race entry. Check it out here.)