The Sacramento area wraps up its fall running season with the CIM on December 6, but there’s a second race morning worth circling on the calendar: the Santa Hustle Roseville on December 13. It’s flat, festive, and based in the walkable corridor of downtown Roseville — which means the finish line puts runners a few steps from coffee and brunch.
The 2026 edition is on Sunday, December 13, starting at Vernon Street Town Square, 311 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678.
What It Is
Santa Hustle is a national holiday race series that runs from late October through December across the U.S., and the Roseville stop is tailored for Sacramento-area runners. Vernon Street Town Square sits at the center of historic downtown Roseville, about 25 miles northeast of downtown Sacramento on I-80. The area has coffee shops, restaurants, and pedestrian-friendly streets — it’s one of the easier post-race mornings in the region.
The course carries the Santa theme through every mile: holiday-decorated aid stations, volunteers in costume, and hot cocoa plus cookies waiting at the finish. Timing is handled by Laurel Timing using a bib chip; results go live during the event and officially post within 24 hours.
Every adult finisher receives a long-sleeve Headsweats shirt and a finisher medal. Kids Dash participants get their own long-sleeve shirt, a Santa hat and beard, a race bib, and a finisher medal. All four distances are officially timed.
The Four Distances
The race runs four distances, all launching within a 50-minute window on the same morning:
- Kids Dash (1K): 7:30 a.m. Open to kids up to age 12. Parents may run alongside for free.
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles): 8:00 a.m. Time limit is 3.5 hours.
- 10K: 8:15 a.m. Time limit is 2 hours.
- 5K: 8:20 a.m. Time limit is 2 hours.
Strava route maps for each distance are linked directly on the Santa Hustle website. The course is rated as flat — it’s USATF certified and well-suited for a December PR attempt.
Awards go to the top three overall male and female finishers in each event, plus top three masters (age 40+) and first-place age group finishers. The Kids Dash does not have awards.
Registration Fees
Prices increase in tiers. The current window — valid through October 31, 2026 — offers the second-lowest pricing of the year:
- Half Marathon: $110.80
- 10K: $84.30
- 5K: $68.40
- Kids Dash: $36.60
On November 1, prices increase to $121.40 for the half, $89.60 for the 10K, and $73.70 for the 5K. Race-day registration is available but costs significantly more: $137.31 for the half marathon, $105.51 for the 10K, and $84.31 for the 5K. Packet shipping is an additional $15.95. Register at santahustle.com/roseville.
Packet Pickup
Pre-race packet pickup is scheduled for Saturday, December 12; the exact time and location are still to be confirmed. Race-day pickup runs from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. at Vernon Street Town Square, but there’s a $15.95 surcharge for skipping the Saturday option (Kids Dash is exempt). A friend or family member can pick up your packet using your QR code or name. Groups of six or more should contact the organizers at least three days before pickup.
Two planning deadlines worth noting: shirt size and distance changes must be submitted at least two weeks before race day, and the packet shipping address deadline is November 15.
Getting There
Vernon Street Town Square is in historic downtown Roseville, roughly 25 miles from downtown Sacramento via I-80 East. The organizers recommend carpooling and arriving well before start time due to race-day street closures. A parking map is available on the Santa Hustle website; spots near the start fill quickly. Coming from Sacramento, allow 35 to 45 minutes and plan to arrive by 7:00 a.m. for the half marathon.
The Details
- Date: Sunday, December 13, 2026
- Venue: Vernon Street Town Square, 311 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678
- Start times: Kids Dash 7:30 a.m. | Half Marathon 8:00 a.m. | 10K 8:15 a.m. | 5K 8:20 a.m.
- Current fees (through Oct 31): Half $110.80 / 10K $84.30 / 5K $68.40 / Kids Dash $36.60
- Race-day fees: Half $137.31 / 10K $105.51 / 5K $84.31
- Pre-race packet pickup: Saturday, December 12 (time and location TBD)
- Race-day pickup: 6:30–7:45 a.m. at the venue ($15.95 surcharge if pre-race was skipped)
- Registration: santahustle.com/roseville
- Timing: Laurel Timing, bib chip
Bottom Line
The Santa Hustle Roseville is a well-organized, flat holiday race that gives Sacramento-area runners a second December option beyond the CIM. The four distances cover everyone from competitive half marathoners chasing a PR to families bringing kids who want their own finisher medal and Santa hat. The November 1 pricing jump makes the rest of October the practical window to register without paying full freight. For other local running options, see the full Sacramento Area Turkey Trots 2026 guide and the California International Marathon 2026 guide. If you’re making a full Roseville day of it, the Mountain Mandarin Festival at nearby Newcastle wraps up the weekend before (November 22–23), and the Roseville Downtown Holiday Celebration on December 2–4 is another reason to get familiar with that part of town before race day.
