A merry December outing

A little movement.
A lot of merry.

Let’s put a little jingle in your December. The Goose Chase’s 2026 Jingle 5K, presented by Brightspeed Fiber, brings a festive spirit to every stride.

Whether you’re here to run or take a cheerful walk, there’s room for your pace. Meet us on Thursday, December 10, 2026 for a joyful way to celebrate the season. Cross the finish line and take home a festive finisher ornament—a little keepsake of your merry miles!

The race-day essentials

Your next merry mile

A place on the starting line.

Plan ahead for a little more cheer.

Launch

$30

Oct 9–16

Early bird

$35

Oct 17–Nov 15

Standard

$40

Nov 16–Dec 6

Last chance

$45

Dec 7–10

All prices in USD. Fees additional. Each tier ends at 11:59pm Eastern on its final date.

Jingle Bell Dash (kid’s race)

$20 advance / $25 race day

Virtual

$35 plus $9.95 shipping

Register Now

Download & Print Registration Form (PDF)

2026 Jingle 5K cream long-sleeve shirt design with evergreen and red event artwork — Your 2026 Jingle 5K shirt

Dressed in holiday spirit

Meet your merry
new favorite.

Warm cream. Classic Christmas colors. A little jingle, front and center.

A little holiday cheer you can wear all season! With cozy long sleeves and our festive Jingle 5K design, this shirt is ready for race night, Christmas errands, and making merry memories.

Shirt sizes: Youth Small through Adult 3X. Register by December 1, 2026 to guarantee your shirt and selected size. After December 1, shirts and sizes are subject to availability.

Good things to know

See you on race day.

Plan your evening of festive miles and Christmas lights. The exact start/finish area will be announced.

Add to calendar: Jingle Bell Dash, 6:40 p.m. · Jingle 5K, 7:00 p.m.

Race date

Thursday, December 10, 2026

Start time

Jingle Bell Dash: 6:40 p.m. • Jingle 5K: 7:00 p.m.

Location

Downtown Johnson City, TN

Packet pickup

4:30–6:30 p.m. near the start area

The course

Start/finish area TBA. The course runs through Founder’s Park and King Commons Park in Downtown Johnson City.

Who’s welcome

Runners & walkers

Memories from past Jingle events

Oh, what fun.

Real smiles. Festive strides. A look back at past Jingle events.

Children and adults set off beneath the illuminated Jingle sign at a past nighttime event — A starting line full of holiday spirit

Together, we jingle.

A runner crosses the finish line beneath a Jingle banner at a past event — A finish full of cheer

An adult holds a clapping child beside holiday lights at a past Jingle event — Little moments. Big holiday smiles.

Gloved hands hold a green ornament-style Jingle 5K medal from a past event — A past-event medal memory

Runners and walkers stream beneath the illuminated Jingle sign and a Believe banner at a past nighttime Jingle event — Off they go, bells and all

Dressed for a little merry.

A participant dressed as Santa at a past Jingle event — Santa joins the festivities

Three participants in green and red elf costumes at a past Jingle event — A little elf ensemble

Two smiling participants wear reindeer antlers and Christmas tree accessories at a past Jingle event — Reindeer antlers and Christmas cheer

Two participants in red and white costumes hold their past-event medals at a past Jingle event — Peppermint-striped holiday spirit

Four participants in matching Santa shirts and festive hats pose beneath a Jingle sign at a past event — Friends who jingle together

A participant in a lit Christmas tree costume with a star-topped headband smiles in front of an illuminated Jingle sign at a past Jingle event — Holiday spirit, head to toe

A participant in a green elf outfit smiles at a past Jingle event — All smiles, all merry

Three smiling participants in holiday hats and race bibs pose beneath the illuminated Jingle sign at a past Jingle event — Ready, set, merry

Three participants in green and red elf costumes pose beneath the illuminated Jingle sign at a past Jingle event — The elf contingent

A joyful runner mid-stride smiles as a person in a Buddy the Elf costume cheers her on beside glowing colored trees at a past Jingle event — Buddy says: keep on running

The season, all aglow.

Elevated nighttime view of a downtown Johnson City park filled with glowing holiday trees and a large lit Christmas tree, with an illuminated Johnson City Tennessee sign at a past Jingle event — The town green, all aglow

Green Christmas lights frame a Johnson City Tennessee sign at a past Jingle event — A town dressed in twinkle

The illuminated Johnson City Tennessee sign glows at night beside a bright green holiday tree and a smaller red tree at a past Jingle event — The town signs in, tree in tow

Aerial nighttime view of Johnson City with illuminated Christmas trees during a past Jingle event — A bird’s-eye view of the festivities

Photographs from past events.

Before you jingle

A few good
questions.

What we know so far, all in one place.

When is the 2026 Jingle 5K?

The race is Thursday, December 10, 2026. Jingle Bell Dash: 6:40 p.m. • Jingle 5K: 7:00 p.m. Location: Downtown Johnson City, TN.

Can I walk instead of run?

Yes! Runners and walkers are welcome at the Jingle 5K. Bring your holiday spirit and enjoy it at your own pace.

How do I register?

Registration is open! Use the Register Now button on this page — it takes you straight to our official RunSignup registration page.

Is the shirt included with registration?

Shirt sizes: Youth Small through Adult 3X. Register by December 1, 2026 to guarantee your shirt and selected size. After December 1, shirts and sizes are subject to availability.

Do finishers receive an ornament?

Yes! All finishers receive an ornament.

Will there be a Jingle Bell Dash (kid’s race)?

Yes! Jingle Bell Dash (kid’s race) starts at 6:40 p.m. and is $20 in advance or $25 on race day.

How does the Virtual Option work?

How a Virtual Race Works

A virtual race gives you the freedom to complete the event on your own terms—whether that’s in your neighborhood, at the gym, on a treadmill, or even at home. Simply track your run or walk using your GPS watch, Fitbit, Garmin, or a running app on your phone. Then take a photo or screenshot of your results and send it to info@thegoosechase.org. Once we receive it, we’ll log your completion and include you in the official results. It’s that easy!

How You’ll Get Your Race Items

You’ll still receive all the fun race swag—like your t-shirt, medal, and awards! You have three options to get your items:

Pick up at packet pickup during the normal times.
Have it mailed for a $9.95 shipping and handling fee. We’ll follow up closer to the race with a link to pay for shipping.
Local pickup at Natural Foods Market. We’ll text or email you when your packet is ready, and you can pick it up at your convenience.

What awards are available?

Overall: Top 3 male and female.
Masters: Overall male and female masters.
Grandmasters: Overall male and female grandmasters.
Age groups: 1st, 2nd, 3rd male/female in 10–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70+.
Jingle Bell Dash (ages 6–9): Top 3 boys and top 3 girls.

Please visit the awards table to pick up your award after the race.

Where can I find the race-day details?

See the Race day section for the schedule and location. Packet pickup: 4:30–6:30 p.m. near the start area. Start/finish area TBA. The course runs through Founder’s Park and King Commons Park in Downtown Johnson City.

Jingle volunteers in festive outfits beneath the illuminated Jingle sign

Join the crew

Volunteers Needed!

We need about 25 cheerful faces along the course this year!

If you aren’t participating, come help us spread some holiday cheer.

Choose a volunteer time slot that works for you, or email info@thegoosechase.org with questions.

We also give extra volunteer hours for students!

Volunteer with us

Our presenting sponsor

Thank you to Brightspeed Fiber, presenting sponsor of The Goose Chase’s 2026 Jingle 5K.

Race Partners

Thank you to the partners who help make our merry miles possible.

Help make the season a little brighter.

Want to put your business in the holiday spirit? Join our Jingle 5K family as a sponsor! Individuals and businesses are welcome to help bring festive miles and merry memories to our community. Email info@thegoosechase.org to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Let’s spread some cheer

Make spirits bright.One stride at a time.

A little movement.A lot of merry.