SANTA PAWS 5K benefiting Guide Dogs of the Desert

Yes, it will seem like Christmas because of all the goodies you receive with your registration!  Each participant receives a 5-piece Santa suit that can be worn during the event and is then yours for keeps! This includes a jacket, pants, belt, hat and beard. You will also receive a holiday tech T-shirt, gorgeous finisher medal with sublimated ribbon, finisher and posed photo downloads and goodie bag!

THE PALM SPRINGS LIONS CLUB IS THE PRESENTING SPONSOR OF THIS YEAR'S RACE.  THE LIONS CLUB'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT VISION HEALTH AND SO IT IS MOST APPROPRIATE THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO SUPPORT GUIDE DOGS OF THE DESERT THROUGH THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP.  YOU ROCK, P.S. LIONS CLUB!

The SANTA PAWS 5K would like to announce this year's Grand Marshal, Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon!  We are honored to have Mayor Moon join us.  He has been a great supporter of Guide Dogs of the Desert and will ride along with Santa Claus in a convertabile sleigh at the start of this year's race. You will also see Mayor Moon and Santa at the top of Holiday Hill (water stop) where they will be giving out candy canes to all the good little runners and walkers!

Follow a fast and flat course (well, mostly flat...there is one little hill..but then the downhill to the finish is awesome) beginning in front of the American Legion at 400 Belardo Rd. Palm Springs and following a quiet and scenic route through local neighborhoods.

The Elf Dash, for children 10 and under is a short 200 meter run at the start/finish line and well in view of all parents and spectators.

Everyone is welcome! Runners, walkers, strollers, doggies, EVEN reindeer - come one - come all for a great morning filled with holiday cheer and lots of Ho! Ho! Ho's! Too lazy to come and run? Sign up for the Scrooge category and you can hide under the covers and still support a wonderful cause! Out of town that day? Sign up as a virtual runner and we will mail you your complete outfit and you can race with us from anywhere on the globe! (even the North Pole)

Get into the Christmas Spirit and help support Guide Dogs of the Desert, a 501c3 charity that provides guide dogs at no cost for the blind and sight impaired as well as assistance dogs for those with seizures, Autism or PTSD.

Registration is limited to 1,000 participants! On-line registration is $35.00.  Elf Dash for children 10 and under is $5.

5K Registration at packet pick-up and race day, if available, is $40.

For your convenience, packet pick-up will be held on Thursday, December 15th from 11AM-5PM and Friday, December 16th from 11AM - 5PM at Running Wild 611 S. Palm Canyon, Palm Springs.

Packet pick up and late registration also available race morning at race site beginning at 7:30AM 

All 5K participants will also receive a beautiful 5th Anniversary Santa Paws tech quality T-shirt.

-Beautiful finisher medals with sublimated ribbons presented to all registered participants at finish line.

-Division Medals presented to first 3 men and women in each age division in 5 year increments through 85+.

-Overall trophies presented to top 3 male/female/dog/stroller finishers

-Special award presented to the TOP TEN race finishers!

-Trophies awarded to biggest team and fastest team. 

Children 10 and under may enter the Elf Dash for $5. Elf Dash participants receive an Elf hat, Elf Dash button and special finisher treat. Elf Dash registration does NOT include an event t-shirt, but shirts are available for purchase.

Not going to be in town on race day? No worries-you can run from anywhere in the world! For a $45 entry fee, we will mail you your Santa Suit, tech t-shirt and finisher medal. If you record your finish time on your Garmin or any GPS technology and send it to us, you will be eligible from an age group award as well. Register early and make this a Christmas gift to yourself! We will mail your suit and goodies to your home!

Want to help GUIDE DOGS but you're too lazy to get up early on race day and don't feel like leaving your comfortable bed? Well then, we have the perfect category for you! Be a Scrooge and you can just stay in bed and pout! We will send you a special Scrooge certificate thanking you for your support of GUIDE DOGS OF THE DESERT!

This race is owned and produced by Palm Springs Marathon Runners where you "come for the run and stay for the fun!"  We always offer a money back guarantee.  Our races support local charitable causes!