3 holiday running traditions we love/hate

The holiday season is upon us, and along with the festivities and merriment comes the fun and occasionally troublesome world of holiday running traditions. Despite many of us having a love/hate relationship with these common Christmas running conventions, we find ourselves engaging in them year after year. Here at Canadian Running we’ve compiled a short list of holiday running traditions that some of us enjoy–and some of us wish would fade into the memories of Christmas past.

The Christmas Day family run 

Ah, the Christmas family run—an occasion that can either foster delightful memories or strain relationships. Some family members are eager to participate, sprinting through the streets like reindeer in training, while others find it as appealing as an ill-fitting holiday sweater. 

If you have family members who’d rather spend Christmas Day untangling last year’s Christmas lights than start their day with a chilly 5K, consider letting them off the hook. Or put them on breakfast duty–that way you’ll have a hot cup of coffee and a warm meal waiting for you when you get back.

The running friends’ gift exchange 

The running friends’ gift exchange is a delightful tradition for those lucky enough to have a run crew that feels like a second family. A tight-knit running group can effortlessly navigate this festive ritual, exchanging presents that reflect their love for the sport and each other. Finding the perfect gift becomes a mission fuelled by friendship and inside jokes. 

Of course, not all running groups share the same bond, and the gift exchange can devolve into an uninspired parade of running socks. But fear not, for even in socks, there can be warmth and comfort.

The hot chocolate run (and other liquid adventures) 

Picture a merry group decked out in winter gear, trotting through the streets, stopping at various coffee or chocolate shops along the route to indulge in steaming cups of velvety cocoa. On the surface, it seems like a delightful tradition… at least for the first one or two stops. 

As the run progresses and the cocoa consumption continues, bloated bellies and a sluggish stride can turn a fun run into a desperate search for a bathroom. And let’s not forget the other liquid adventures that runners engage in, like eggnog runs and beer runs, where consuming copious amounts of anything other than water can lead to regrettable side effects. If you’re considering participating in one of these traditions, proceed with caution.

Bonus tradition: the New Year’s Day hangover run 

New Year’s Day—a time for reflection, resolutions… and for some, a hangover. Every year on January 1, runners drag themselves out of bed, swearing that this is the last time they agree to a run on New Year’s Day. But after struggling through five painful kilometres, the fog of a hangover lifts and they know, deep down, they’ll be back again next year.