The Santa Hustle Race Series offers races of varying distances in seven different cities, along with a virtual race. So pretty much anyone anywhere can participate.

The concept of the race is pretty straightforward: the race organizers provide runners with a red running shirt, a Santa Claus hat and a beard. Then the runners all dress up like Santa and run together on race morning. It’s silly; it’s fun; and best of all, all of proceeds from the series go to the American Cancer Society.

A few other good things about the Santa Hustle:
<ul>
<li>Besides water tables, the course has Christmas Cookie and Candy tables.
</li><li>The half marathon courses have ten music stations that play Christmas music.
</li><li>Half Marathon finishers get medals.
</li><li>There’s Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes at the finish line.
</li><li>There are live reindeer and a variety of other giant inflatable Christmas decorations and other props that make for great photo opportunities along the course and at the finish line.
</li><li>There’s an awesome holiday themed post race party.
</li></ul>

Santa Hustle races are held in different cities on different dates throughout the month of December. So you can do more than one if you like the concept and want to travel. The Chicago and Milwaukee races are on the same day and include about 8000 Santa Runners between the two cities.

The Chicago event only has a 5K course. It starts in front of Soldier Field, heads south down the Lakefront path for about a mile and a half and then turns north and heads back towards the city. Runners get a nice view of the Chicago skyline during the second half of the race. There’s a cookie table at Mile 1, a water table at mile 1.5, and a candy table at mile 2. All of the tables have Christmas music playing and friendly volunteers dressed like elves.

The finish line for the Chicago Santa Hustle course is back in front of Soldier Field. There’s a small post race party with refreshments at the finish line and trolleys that bring runners to Navy Pier for a massive indoor post race party that includes hot hard cider and a few other holiday themed drinks.