Ugly Christmas Sweater Run
Time to put your ugly holiday sweater to good use! Pictured: Jaime Padgett (left) of Centreville, Virginia, sings karaoke during the Ugly Sweater Run on Dec. 21, 2013 in Fort Washington, Maryland. Reuters

It’s time to put those ugly, over-priced Christmas sweaters to good use! Instead of packing away that itchy, wooly knit -- you know, the sparkly one with dancing penguins on it that you wore once to your friend’s silly, holiday party -- why not sport that bedazzled bad boy one more time … during a race.

Every holiday season, runners of all shapes, sizes and endurances gather at the starting lines across the globe to partake in ugly sweater-themed runs. So, how about you get one more wear out of that hideous gift you received from your grandma last Christmas and join in on the sweaty, festive fun!

Check out the ugly sweater-themed runs you can partake in during the 2015 holiday season below:

Ugly Sweater Run

In 2011, Human Movement, Inc. created a race called the Ugly Sweater Run. The now-annual run takes place in several cities across the U.S. (with the hopes of expanding globally) and encourages their runners/walkers to don their ugliest ensembles for 3.1 miles. In fact, the Ugly Sweater Run takes pride in being the “Ugliest 5k on the Planet” and celebrates that title with a cup of hot chocolate and a glass of beer at the end of the race, which is served to (of age) finishers.

Their upcoming events are listed below along with the cities they take place in (in alphabetical order):

  • Atlanta -- Dec. 19
  • Baltimore -- Dec. 19
  • Boston -- Dec. 12
  • Charlotte, North Carolina -- Dec. 5
  • Chicago -- Dec. 12
  • Colorado Springs, Colorado -- Dec. 12.
  • Denver -- Dec. 19
  • Grand Rapids, Michigan -- Dec. 5
  • Hartford, Connecticut -- Dec. 5
  • Las Vegas -- Dec. 5
  • Omaha, Nebraska -- Dec. 6
  • Philadelphia -- Dec. 19
  • Sacramento, California -- Dec. 12
  • Tempe, Arizona -- Dec. 19
  • Washington D.C. -- Dec. 12

Ugly Christmas Sweater Dash

Looking for a festive run to sign up for in the Great White North? Well then, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Dash is for you! The Canadian race, which is partnered with The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, celebrates the holiday season with family, friends and a sea of ghastly Christmas sweaters. The event will take place in Rock Point Park in Port Mood on Dec. 5.

Rockin' Around Cooperstown Ugly Sweater Run/Walk

New Yorkers can break a sweat in their ugly sweaters, too, this season during the inaugural Rockin' Around Cooperstown Ugly Sweater Run and Walk on Dec. 5. Participants can chose to run either a 4-mile loop around the New York town or opt for the 2-mile course. However, all finishers will receive free coffee/hot chocolate courtesy of Stagecoach Coffee or a free beer from Ommegang Brewery.

Ugly Sweater 5k & 10k

Feel like going the distance? Active.com is hosting a virtual run that will allow U.S. runners to partake in their very own ugly sweater run. Those who complete the virtual race (of their choosing) between Dec. 5 and Dec. 31, 2015 will receive an ugly sweater medal and assist in raising money for the charity Feed My Starving Children.

What festive races will you be participating in during the 2015 holiday season? Sound off in the comments section below, runners!

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