The Run
Christmas Challenge
Frosty, Fun and Festive – The Great Run Solo Christmas Challenge is back for a fifth year, and whether you’ve been naughty or nice, it’s time to get moving.
What Makes it Great?
Exclusive Christmassy medal-meets-tree decoration
Log your runs with our online tracking tool
Run anytime, any place to suit you
Personalised digital finisher certificate
Access to training tips and support
Exclusive access to our Great Run Rewards
The return of Great Run's 12 Runs of Christmas!
No reindeer needed for this challenge, complete 12 runs or walks between the start of December and Christmas Day and earn yourself a special Christmas medal-meets-tree ornament. And if you manage myrrh – 30, 60 or 100 miles – you’ll also receive a bespoke digital certificate (plus some serious bragging rights).
Taking part costs just £15, which includes access to our cracking tracking tool, a merry medal, and a digital certificate for finishers. All entrants will also receive access to our exclusive Great Run rewards scheme with Endurance Zone, giving you fantastic offers and deals from some of the biggest sports brands in the industry.
Sprint, Stroll or Sleigh, complete your miles at your pace – and may all your Christmas miles be merry and bright!
Places are limited, so sign up below and we’ll let you know as soon as entries open.
Solo Reminder
Sign up below for updates and to be notified when the next Great Run Solo challenge opens. We’ll also provide you with useful running information and guidance, special offers and exclusive Great Run Series event updates (you can unsubscribe at any time).
Complete the 12 Runs of Christmas
Go dashing through the snow for any distance this December. Just make sure you do at least 12 runs (or walks) by 25 December to smash this seasonal challenge. You’ll receive your very own Christmassy medal-meets-tree decoration as a lasting memento of all the miles you’ve covered. It’ll arrive before Christmas, so you can wear it with pride before hanging it on your tree.
Accumulator Distance Award
Fancy an extra challenge? We have three optional distances for you to aim for. Depending how far you travel over your 12 (or more) runs/walks, we’ll award you a special digital finisher’s certificate to download and share.
30 miles – Brr-illiant Job
60 miles – Yule Crushed It
100 miles – Jingled All the Way
From 1st December, you can log your runs with our online tracker or use your own tracking app or device to record your activity if you prefer. Once you’ve completed all of your runs and reached your target distance, simply submit your results and we’ll have your digital finisher’s certificate with you to show off to the whole family on Christmas morning.
If you have any queries, see our Christmas Accumulator Challenge FAQ section here for more information.
Active Advent Calendar
Our active advent calendar is back, for an extra Christmas challenge, see how many of these mini challenges you can tick off.
1 Santa Hat Spring – run whilst wearing your best Santa Hat! Be sure to share it with us on social media using #GreatRunSolo
2 Reindeer Route – plan a running route in the shape of a reindeer. Then check out your map art afterwards on Strava, share your screenshot with us to show off your creativity.
3 Sweet Treat Time – Treat yourself to a Christmas snack (mince pie, gingerbread, candy cane) after completing one of your runs/walks. Share your post-run treat on social media.
4 Frosty Fastest Mile – See how fast you can run or walk one mile and share your time. What better way to get in the Festive spirit than by clocking a new PB.
5 Snowflake Selfie – Grab a elfie selfie with anything festive you come across during your run, share it with us using #GreatRunSolo
6 Winter Warm-Up – Do a fun holiday-themed warm-up before your run, such as dancing to a Christmas song.
7 Christmas Carol Karaoke – make a Christmas playlist and sing-along during your run. Bonus points for sending your video to us.
8 Warm and Cosy Run – It’s time to run in your warmest winter gear. It’s time to cosy up in your gloves, scarves, and maybe even a Christmas jumper.
9 Tree Tracker – Count the number of Christmas trees you see while out on a run. Try to find as many as possible in a single outing.
10 Festive Finish Line – Create your own homemade finish line using Christmas decorations. Cross the finish line and share your celebrations.
11 Winter Walk – dedicate one day to doing a leisurely walk if you are planning to run. Take in all of the Christmas scenery along the way.
12 Christmas Eve Fun – go for a Christmas Eve run and see the festive season out in style.
The Runners’ Guide to Christmas
The school holidays are upon us and for many parents there is suddenly a lot less free time to be utilised. Running doesn’t have to be a casualty during these six weeks – here’s our guide to keeping the balance in check until September Read More.
Top Tips for Running in the Winter Season
As the colder, darker nights start to draw in, it’s time to start thinking about how we will continue with our training and improve our performance during the winter months. We spoke to Commonwealth champion, gold-medal athlete and Great Run Ambassador, Eilish McColgan, to get her top tips for running… Read More.
Should You Train With A Cold?
We answer the tricky question every athlete has to ask themselves at least once or twice a year Read More.
Power Up Your Porridge
Two ways to keep your humble bowl of oats interesting Read More.
Plan a new running route
It’s easy to get stuck in a running route rut. Keep boredom at bay and plan a new running route. Hey, we’re all human – and if sticking to the routes we know and love saves us a few minutes of deliberation and decision-making, chances are we’re going to go… Read More.
#GreatRunSolo
Use #GreatRunSolo to share your running pics and videos with us on socials and you *might* just appear in a special seasonal video. Or, join our official Great Run Solo Strava group & track your runs with other runners taking on the Christmas Accumulator challenge.
The Challenge
Christmas Challenge
How it works
Tracking your activity
We recommend that you use a tracking app to log your running activity during your challenge – any app or watch can be used. You also have the option of using our online tracker to log each run as you go, this is available here on the challenge page from the start of the challenge (1 Dec).
To use the tracker, and submit your results at the end of the challenge, you will need your unique Great Run ID which can be found in your entry confirmation email. For more information, read our guide for tracking runs and submitting evidence for your Great Run Solo challenge. If you have any queries about the challenge, see our FAQ section here.
The Reward
Christmas Challenge
Complete 12 runs (or more) to earn yourself a special Christmas medal!
A Bespoke Medal
All challenge participants will receive a show stopping medal; the Christmassy medal-meets-tree decoration is a lasting memento of all the miles you’ve covered. Our aim is for all medals to arrive before Christmas* so that you can hang it on your Christmas tree with pride as soon as you complete the challenge.
If you submit your results at the end of the challenge (this is optional), you will also receive a personalised digital certificate to download and display with pride.
Note: For international runners, there is an additional £4.75 charge to cover medal postage.
*Medals will be sent pre-Christmas.
