T'was The Run Before Christmas
The epic Christmas event back for the 6th time but this time at High Lodge.
| Date | Sunday 13th December, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Distance | Half Marathon + other events: 5K, 10K, 10M, Marathon, Ultra, 5.3K laps |
| Location | High Lodge |
| Town/City | Thetford |
| Area | Suffolk |
| Start postcode | IP27 0AF |
| Start time | 9:00am |
| Organiser | Zig Zag Running |
| Website | Enter Now |
Christmas is coming, and you are invited to join the second festive run of the season at the sixth edition of Twas the Run Before Christmas, now taking place at High Lodge in Thetford Forest.
This event brings together like-minded runners of all abilities, offering a range of distances including 5K, 10K, 15K, half marathon, heavy half marathon, full marathon, and ultra marathon. The event follows a flexible format, with a six-hour cut-off for those starting at 9 am and a four-hour cut-off for those starting at 11 am.
The course features a 5.3K loop within the grounds of Thetford Forest, with the final route to be confirmed. The setting is largely self-contained, creating an intimate atmosphere with exclusive use of the main area and plenty of open space.
A standard heavy half marathon consists of five laps, with the option to increase this to six or seven on the day. A standard ultra marathon is nine laps, with the flexibility to extend this up to twelve laps depending on the time available.
A water and aid station will be available at the lap point, removing the need to carry large amounts of food, water, or equipment. Parking is available at a discounted rate of £5 for participants, using a QR code provided.
The event will be based adjacent to Oak Lodge, which will be used for registration as well as providing complimentary tea, coffee, and cake after your run.
All finishers will receive a bespoke medal. If the lucky dip option is selected, where available, participants can choose from a selection of previous medals instead. The course will be mainly on pathways, with a small section of trails and woodland, although the final route is still to be confirmed. Road trainers are recommended, but trail shoes may be useful depending on the weather leading up to the event.
Festive fancy dress is encouraged, although not compulsory, to help create a fun and seasonal atmosphere.
Please note that this is a cupless event, so all participants should bring their own cups or bottles for refilling. Additionally, 20 percent of each entry fee goes towards the upkeep of the forest and the care of the woodlands.
