Escape the Elves 5K

About the Event

Join us for the *Escape the Elves 5K* hosted by South Hall Rotary in Downtown Oakwood, GA! We’ve moved this year’s event to a new location for an even better race day experience, with enhanced safety for all our guests.

What to Expect:

Meet Buddy the Elf before the race and keep an eye out for some mischievous elves hiding along the course!
A Best Dressed Award for the most festive outfit—dress in your holiday best for a chance to win an early gift.
The 5K course is USATF Certified and will start at the Oakwood Community Center.
Packet Pick-up at 5512 Main St, Flowery Branch 3pm - 7pm Thursday, Dec 11th or 9am - 3pm Friday, Dec 12th

Race Day Schedule:

Packet Pick-up: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM at the Oakwood Community Center
Race Start: 8:30 AM with Santa sending us off from Oakwood Park (Course closes at 9:45 AM)
Fun Run: Starts at 8:45 AM, after the 5K start
Course Closes: 9:45 AM
Awards Ceremony: 9:30 AM at the park
Pancakes with Buddy: After the race, all runners and families are invited to join us at the Community Center for our Pancakes with Buddy breakfast for $10 per plate. To Go Meals will be available. An email will be sent to all who register for a chance to purchase tickets for themselves and their family.

Giving Back: Bring a canned food item for the South Hall Food Pantry

Supporting Great Causes:
Proceeds will benefit the South Hall Food Pantry, Lanier Tech’s Adult Education Scholarships, Hall is Home for Kids, Shelterbox, Alzheimer's research through Rotary’s CART Fund, and the South Hall Rotary's S.H.A.R.E. Fund for local community causes.

Note: Race T-shirts are only guaranteed for those who register by 12/5.

Races Offered

Other

Dec 13, 2025

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Distance — Other

terrain

Type — Running

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-118 days remaining

1K

Dec 13, 2025

straighten

Distance — 1K

terrain

Type — Running

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-118 days remaining

5K

Dec 13, 2025

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

-118 days remaining

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for December in Oakwood.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 3.7° / 11.5°

wb_sunny -0.3° / 8.3°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 11.5 /

water_drop 75.0%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 3.7° / 11.5°

wb_sunny -0.3° / 8.3°

air 11.5 km/h

water_drop 75.0%

About Oakwood

Learn more about the host city, Oakwood.

Oakwood is a city in Hall County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Gainesville, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,822 at the 2020 census, up from 3,970 in 2010. Oakwood is home to the University of North Georgia Gainesville Campus and Wayne Farms.