Craven Smart Start Holiday Hustle
Sat, Dec 12, 2026, 3:00 AM EST
- Type
- Run
Finish signup on the organizer site (check fees and dates there).
Race feel
A festive holiday run in New Bern supporting early childhood education, offering in-person races and a unique virtual challenge for all.
- Fun
- Competitive
- Quirky
- Festive
- For a Cause
Fun
Competitive
Quirky
Festive
For a CauseGreat for
- Family Friendly
Past race snapshot
What the field usually feels like
A plain-English read from past public results. It is helpful context, not a prediction.
Past result sets can use different distance labels by year. Choose the distance version first, then pick from the years available for that version.
Crowd
Small field
100 5K finishers in 2019. A quieter race where the pack may spread out more quickly.
Typical finish
35:53
Think middle-of-the-pack, using chip time when available.
Competitive feel
Speedy front
There is real pace up front, even if the overall field is broad. Front-group read: 21:22.
People mix
More women
About 67% women and 33% men among finishers who listed gender.
Quick read
For the 5K in 2019, this looks like a small field: 100 finishers are represented here. A middle-of-the-pack finish was around 35:53. The quicker front of the field averaged about 21:22. Use it as a feel check, not a promise about race day.
Where runners came from
Aggregated city counts only. Small groups stay hidden in public views.
New Bern, NC
Close-to-home draw
Havelock, NC
Travel draw
Grantsboro, NC
Travel draw
Kinston, NC
Travel draw
Trent Woods, NC
Travel draw
Award clues
Historic placement clues only. Race-day awards can use different rules.
Female 1 - 17
Top 3 (from posted divisions)
Female 18 - 29
Top 3 (from posted divisions)
Female 30 - 39
Top 3 (from posted divisions)
Female 40 - 49
Top 3 (from posted divisions)
Female 50 - 64
Top 3 (from posted divisions)
Show the year-by-year numbers
| Distance | Year | Finishers | Typical | Average | Front 10% | Fastest M / W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | 2019 | 100 | 35:53 | 36:06 | 21:22 | 18:49 / 22:52 |
| 10K | 2025 | 23 | 59:40 | 1:00:33 | 40:31 | 34:44 / 53:32 |
Last summary update: May 2, 2026
From the organizer
Working with community partners, Craven Smart Start provides Craven County children with quality early learning opportunities and health and family support to give them a foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. Proceeds raised from the Holiday Hustle will expand Craven Smart Start’s ability to provide more services for children, birth to five, and their families in Craven County. The Holiday Hustle will feature the Tinsel 10K and Jingle Bell Jog 5K, which take runners on a course through downtown New Bern starting and ending in Union Point Park. The event also includes the Santa Family Fun Run with a course around Union Point Park. All races will be available as a virtual option including the virtual 48.6 mile 12 Days of Christmas Challenge, we introduced in 2020.
Registration Fees:
Jingle Bell Jog 5K - $30 until Nov. 28 / $35 Nov 29 until race day Tinsel 10K - $35 until Nov. 28 / $40 Nov 29 until race day Santa’s Fun Run - $15 / $20 on race day Virtual 5k & 10k - $20 Virtual 48.6 mile 12 Days of Christmas Challenge (this race can be any form of exercise-Running, walking, swimming, biking, elliptical, etc.) - $40 $5 per person family discount for in person races (3 or more participants)
Register by Nov. 6 to guarantee T-shirt.
DUE TO SUPPLY ISSUES, PLEASE BE AWARE IF YOU REGISTER AFTER NOVEMBER 6TH , YOU WILL NOT GET A RACE SHIRT.
Registration Fee is NONREFUNDABLE.
Packet Pick up will be Friday, December 11th from 4-7 at Craven Smart Start, 211-F Neuse Blvd, New Bern or at Union Point Park beginning at 7am the morning of the race.
Awards:
In-Person Awards for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place, male & female, in age categories 8-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-64 and 65+ Medals to 1st, 2nd, 3rd place overall in each race male and female Giveaway:
All in-person registrants will receive a long sleeve performance t-shirt. Available in YS, YM, YL, AS, AM, AL, AXL, AXXL. Register by Nov. 6th to guarantee t-shirt! All Children 15 and under participating in the Family Fun Run will receive a medal. Everyone that completes the Virtual 48.6 mile 12 Days of Christmas Challenge will receive a long sleeve performance T-shirt and medal upon completion. Participants of the 5k and 10k virtual run will receive a medal upon completion (no shirt).
Shirt