Ugly Sweater Dash Half Marathon
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2026 Ugly Sweater Dash 5k, 10k & Half
The event takes place on November 28 at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA). Participants are invited to wear their ugliest or favorite holiday sweater. Walkers are welcome and a virtual race option is offered.
Distances
- 5k
- 10k
- Half marathon
The courses run on park trails and are described as fairly flat and well maintained, with some roots to navigate. The 5k and 10k use a single out-and-back route. The half marathon follows the out-and-back route twice. The race starts and ends at Shelter A.
Runners receive a finisher’s medal, a technical (Drifit) event shirt, and chip timing. T-shirt sizes are guaranteed for runners registered before November 16; extra shirts may be available after that date on a first-come, first-served basis. Packet pickup is available at the event and race day registration is offered; sizes cannot be guaranteed for race day registration.
Water and fuel: the half marathon has nine water stations at approximate mile markers, the 10k has three water stations, and the 5k has two; Gatorade is available at some stations. Live results will be posted on Athlinks and final results with series points are posted the Monday after the race.
The event benefits Paws for Purple Hearts, an organization that provides assistance dogs and canine-assisted therapy to veterans facing mobility and trauma-related challenges.
Awards are given to the top three men and women overall and to first and second place male and female in standard age groups; overall top three place finishers are not eligible for age-group awards. Points from this event count toward the Year-Long 5k, 10k, Endurance, and Back of the Pack series and toward the Fall Series. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
