Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Greatest 5k(ish) in the History of the World.

December 13th, 2025.
Runners start @ 6.

Our Event:

The Running of the Balls is a unique annual event held in Greensboro, North Carolina, that has become a cherished tradition in the community.

This whimsically named community running and walking event is held in the Sunset Hills neighborhood during the holiday season. Participants, often festooned with holiday-themed attire, engage in a night-time 5k run or walk beneath a canopy of thousands of brightly lit, colorful Christmas balls that adorn the trees along the route. The twinkling spectacle provides a unique, merry backdrop to this gathering.

The event is more than just an entertaining spectacle though, as it has raised more than 4 million meals for those in need through its partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank. Click below to learn more and register for this year's event.

Three adults laughing and running at night dressed in festive Christmas sweaters and accessories.

Your Impact:

CS Lewis said, "Joy is the serious business of heaven" and the joy created for our participants and volunteers has fed millions of people throughout NW NC. Below are just a few of the numbers regarding the miraculous impact of this event and the kindness of the folks in Sunset Hills.

49,560

People Who Have Participated

12

Years Held

5,816,012

Meals Provided via Second Harvest

118,150

Miles Run or Walked

10,372

Christmas Balls Hung

Get Involved:

There's a place for everyone at our event. From participants, to volunteers, and sponsorship, there's a place for everyone at the Running of the Balls. Click on the links below to find out the details and find your place!

Participants in festive costumes including an elf and snowman running in a night race under an inflatable arch decorated with lights.

Be A Participant

Each year more than 5,000 folks of all ages, shapes, and sizes enjoy this event. Click below to find out all the details you'll need regarding participation and sign up.

be a participant
Person wearing a gray knit hat and blue jacket smiling and handing out cups at an outdoor nighttime event.

Be A Volunteer

This event is made possible because of the tireless work of hundreds of volunteers. Young to old are able to help this event happen. Groups are welcome and various shifts are available.

be a volunteer
Woman in festive red vest and scarf holding wrapped items at a holiday event booth with red bowls filled with similar wrapped items and holiday decorations.

Be A Sponsor

Our faithful sponsors have provided millions of meals for folks in NW NC via Second Harvest, while enjoying promotion and participation in this event. Click below to hear more and register to sponsor.

be a sponsor

Our Sponsors:

Below are our faithful sponsors. Click below to learn more about each of them. We encourage anyone able to visit and support these great folks.

Chick-fil-A logo with the text 'Triad East' below.
Logo featuring two stylized house buildings in blue and green next to the text 'hawthorne RESIDENTIAL PARTNERS'.
Harris Teeter logo with stylized bread, apple, and fish icon next to text 'Harris Teeter Your Neighborhood Market' in red.
Text reading 'Work Hard Go Fast Be Nice' in varying blue shades next to a circular icon with abstract human figures surrounding a globe.
Colorful text reading '98.7 SIMON says...' with 'SIMON' in large yellow letters and other words in red on black background.
Logo showing a construction hard hat above the text 'UNIVERSAL STEEL'.
Hitachi logo with text 'South Boston, VA' in white on a red background.
Logo with the text 'FRYE' above 'BUILD + DESIGN' in a minimalist style.
Cone Health logo with stylized human figure in teal and blue text.
Skyla Credit Union logo with lowercase text and four blue-green circles of varying sizes.
Melissa Greer logo with initials MG on a purple background alongside Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Yost & Little Realty logo on a white background.
ACNC Anesthesiology Consultants of North Carolina logo.
Emerge Ortho logo with stylized shield formed by blue and orange curved ribbons.
Smith Partners Wealth Management logo with stylized blue floral design on the left.
Text reading 'Law Offices Of James Scott Farrin' with 'James Scott Farrin' in large capital letters inside a rectangular border.
Logo with three human silhouettes in blue, orange, and green beside the text 'Occupational TEAM SOLUTIONS' in orange, blue, and green.
Murray Anderson Wealth Management logo with the text '1863' and an abstract bridge graphic.
UNCG Athletics logo featuring a Spartan helmet in gold and navy blue above bold UNCG text with 'ATHLETICS' below.
Finn Dentistry logo with the word 'FINN' in large uppercase letters and 'DENTISTRY' in smaller uppercase letters below.
Logo of Carolina Psychological Associates with a blue letter C and green leaves, and the website URL www.carolinapsychological.com below.
Text logo reading 'kate black realty.' in bold black lowercase letters on a white background.
Deuterman Law Group logo in maroon script and uppercase text.
Crosspointe Homes logo with teal geometric emblem and text.
Health Team Advantage logo with stylized graphic and text in gray and blue tones.
Logo with silhouette of a sitting dog inside circle labeled Downtown Greensboro with Animal Hospital in green banner below.
Text logo reading 'WHERE FRIENDS MEET First Friends MEETING' with 'First Friends' underlined and centered.
Blue dove icon above the text United Church of Christ.
eXp Realty logo with contact info: Michael Driver 336.333.MIKE
Logo featuring a stylized green tree on the right with pink stylized text on the left.
Taylor Homes logo with a stylized house roof outline and the text 'BUILD + DESIGN' below.
Columbia Forest Products logo with a green circle containing a white oak leaf between the letters c and l.

Let's Run the Balls! Register for our event now....

Use the form below to register for the Greatest 5k(ish) in the History of the World...