Work off those inevitable Christmas cookie calories by racing in the Christmas Eve 5K Run/Walk in North Park.

The event, sponsored by Wolf Creek Race Management, starts at 10 a.m. Dec. 24 near the lake at the North Park Swimming Pool on South Ridge Drive in Allison Park.

Volunteers from North Allegheny High School’s cross country team will help at the event, and the race also supports the North Allegheny Foundation, said Andrew Mascio, co-owner/founder of Wolf Creek Race Management.

The Christmas Eve 5K sold out in 2022 with more than 700 participants, and the 2023 race is set to be the biggest yet.

“Last year, in its first year, the event had 740 registrants. So far, this year we have 645 registrants, which is up 44% versus this point last year. This year will be the largest Christmas Eve 5K to date,” Mascio said.

Along with a festive holiday atmosphere, Santa will squeeze in one more stop from 9 a.m. to noon to rally on racers and take free photos with kids before beginning his own special run later that night.

“It’s all about the holiday and the event experience. Similar to Thanksgiving morning turkey trots, people want to get out and move before their family celebrations,” Mascio said.

About 10 to 20 cross country members from North Allegheny came out last year to help with the race, said John Neff, a cross country coach and physics teacher in the district.

“This is a great event for not just our current team, but for our alumni network. The race serves as a way for all the runners past and present to reconnect and share what it means to be part of this community. It is a special event for sure,” Neff said.

Race participants can take part in a gift basket raffle and enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and coffee. Pittsburgh Pirates in-game host Joe Klimchak will be the event emcee, Mascio said.

The cost to participate is $40. Children 4 and younger run free, but they must be registered online at wolfcreektrackclub.com.

There will be Christmas Eve 5K campfire mugs given to the top three overall male and female finishers, plus the top three finishers in each of the age categories.

This is Pennsylvania’s largest Christmas Eve race, according to Mascio.

Registration also is open online for Wolf Creek Race Management’s North Park Half Marathon on Jan. 6.

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