Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic 5k 2026 — Bedford, VA

The Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic 5K is celebrating 47 years of holiday tradition! 🎄 Join runners and walkers of all ages and abilities for this beloved Central Virginia event, with the Peaks Junior 1-Mile offering fun for younger participants, too. Proceeds support the Bedford Area YMCA’s Financial Aid Program, while friendly faces, caroling volunteers, and a delicious post-race cinnamon roll make this a festive experience for the whole family. Traditionally followed by the Town of Bedford Christmas Parade, it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season! LOCATION Race HQ will be located at Bedford Baptist Church, 1516 Oakwood St. Bedford, VA 24523. EVENT START TIMES: *5k (Live): 8:30AM 1 Mile "Junior Peaks": approx. 9:45 AM REGISTRATION: 5K (in person): $30 (thru 10/7) || $35(10/8- 12/4) || $40 Race Day (12/5) 1 Mile "Junior Peaks": $12 (thru 10/7) || $15 (10/8-12/5) All Team Members Must Be signed Up Before Race Day. PAPER REGISTRATION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT REFUND POLICY: Registration fees are non-transferable & non-refundable. An entry can only be used for the person registered for the entry. Entries cannot be deferred to the following year or a future event. T-SHIRTS: World famous, long sleeve, t-shirts are guaranteed to those registered for all 5k and 1 Mile events by November 16th. On November 17th and after, t-shirts will be available at packet pickup on a first come basis. Packet Pickup: Thursday (12/3) 12-6pm, Bedford Area Family YMCA, 1111 Turnpike Rd., Bedford, VA 24523 Friday (12/4) 12-6pm, Bedford Area Family YMCA, 1111 Turnpike Rd., Bedford, VA 24523 Saturday (12/5) 7:00am - 8:15 am, Bedford Baptist Church, 1516 Oakwood St. Bedford, VA 24523 "yes" someone else can pick up your packet for you. Assisted Participants: We are pleased to provide an opportunity for assisted participants to enjoy race day. An assisted participant is typically being pushed in a stroller "appropriate" for the event (ie.. hand break, tether, appropriate wheels). Both the participant being pushed and the pusher are required to register for this event. Assisted participants will start prior to the 5K start and be ranked separately from the 5k event. AWARDS: Award ceremony will be held following both 5k and 1 mile events. After the event results can be found on our RunSigUp page. For those whom are unable to stay for ceremony then awards may be picked up beginning Monday, December 8th. Top 4 Overall M/F, Top Overall Masters M/F, Top 3 in each age group. Awards ranked on "chip" time. "Top of the Hill challenge, $25 RR Gift card to first male and female to reach top of Bedford Memorial hill. "Top of the Hill challenge, $25 RR Gift card to first male and female in a FESTIVE COSTUME to reach top of Bedford Memorial hill. *This is a Chip timed event, Disposable MyLaps Race Bib Technology will be used. Riverside Runners. Team Competition Individuals have the option during registration to register for our team competition. A minimum of 5, regardless of gender, comprise a team. Participants can choose to join a team already listed or create their own team. The corporate cup will be given to the top team based on the lowest cumulative time of the 5 team members. Team registration ends on Friday, December 4th at 6:00PM. No Team Members will Be Added on Race Day. Age Groups Custom medals for age group awards. 5K Race: 12 & under, 13-17, 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & up. Age Group ranking based on "chip" time. Peaks Junior 1 Mile Race Age Groups: 0-5, 6-8, 9-12. Awards ranked on "chip" time. RACE COURSE: Once again 2023 saw the introduction of our course on the Bedford Loop. Our start and finish is at Bedford Baptist Church, 1516 Oakwood St., Bedford, Virginia 24523. Participants for the 5k proceed out of the church driveway and left on to Oakwood St, From then it will follow the Bedford Loop such as in years past. Proceeding right on Longwood Ave., right on Hampton Ridge., left turn on Locust St. then left onto Elm St., right turn back on Longwood Ave., turn right into Old Bedford Middle School parking lot, across parking lot then turn right onto Peaks St., right onto Witfield Dr., right on Oakwood St., cross over Oakwood St and back into the exit of Bedford Baptist Church. 100% of the proceeds raised will go for scholarships to low and fixed-income families, seniors, and individuals which allow them to join the YMCA’s Health & Wellness and Childcare programs.