Attention runners: It’s time to lace up your sneakers and leaf your competition in the dust. (See what we did there? 🍁) We’ve rounded up 16 of the top races in our area for runners, walkers, and joggers happening this fall and winter — from races to benefit local organizations to themed marathons to celebrate the holidays.

Gruene 5K/10K (Sat., Sept. 10)

Starting line: Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels
Registration fee: $30+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 6:45 a.m.; race starts at 8 a.m.
The race weaves through the beautiful neighborhoods surrounding this historic community. After the race, participants can enjoy music, food, and beer.

Blue Santa's Dam 5 Miler and 5K (Sat., Sept. 24)

Starting line: Five Mile Dam Park, 4440 S. Old Stage Coach Rd., San Marcos
Registration fee: $20+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 6:30 a.m.; race starts at 7:30 a.m.
All proceeds from this race will go to the Blue Santa Program in Kyle, which supports and distributes toys to disadvantaged children and families in the area.

The Purple Run (Sat., Oct. 1)

Starting line: Our Lady of the Lake University, 411 SW 24th St., San Antonio
Registration fee: $30+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 7 a.m.; race starts at 8:30 a.m.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. This race is designed to honor the victims, survivors, and those who have lost their lives to domestic violence.

Sixth Annual Semper Fi-Ve K (Sat., Oct. 15)

Starting line: New Braunfels High School, 2551 TX-337 Loop, New Braunfels
Registration fee: $25+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 6 a.m.; race starts at 8:30 a.m.
This race benefits the NBHS MC JROTC Booster Club, a nonprofit organization that supports the NBHS cadets and student activities within the New Braunfels community.

Seth Strong Foundation 5K (Sat., Oct. 29)

Starting line: Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center, 30280 Cougar Bend, Bulverde
Registration fee: $15+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 7:30 a.m.; race starts at 8:30 a.m.
This race benefits the Seth Strong Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides support to local families experiencing a life-threatening illness of a child to ease the financial burdens of medical expenses, living expenses, and possible loss of caregiver employment.

Wurst 5 Mile Run (Sat., Nov. 5)

Starting line: Landa Park Dance Slab, 32 Gazebo Cir., New Braunfels
Registration fee: $40+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 7 a.m.; race starts at 8 a.m.
Run through the beautiful neighborhoods of New Braunfels and then enjoy beer, sausage, and polka music after the race.

Trails Fur Tails 5K (Sun., Nov. 6)

Starting line: McAllister Park (Pavilion 2), 13102 Jones-Maltsberger, San Antonio
Registration fee: $30+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 7:30 a.m.; race starts at 9 a.m.
This pet-friendly run benefits the Alamo Area Partners for Animal Welfare, which provides support and veterinary funding for rescue groups in the San Antonio area. There will be pets available for adoption, along with music, games, food, and more.

New Braunfels Half Marathon (Sat., Nov. 12)

Starting line: Stars and Stripes Drive-In Theatre, 1178 Kroesche Ln., New Braunfels
Registration fee: $30+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 6 a.m.; race starts at 7:30 a.m.
This race is set along a scenic course along country roads — making it one of the fastest and flattest races in the area.

Run the River 5K Green Run (Sat., Nov. 12)

Starting line: Mission County Park (Pavilion 1), 6030 Padre Dr., San Antonio
Registration fee: $15+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 8 a.m.; race starts at 9 a.m.
In addition to the race, runners are invited to the Green Spaces Alliance Nature Festival, which will celebrate the community's connection to the nature around us.

Two Rivers Half Marathon and Ryan Bielke 5K (Sun., Nov. 20)

Starting line: Rockin R River Rides (Gruene), 1405 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels
Registration fee: $15+
Start time: Race starts at 7 a.m.
The race benefits Chosen Care, an organization that helps children heal from trauma by strengthening foster, kinship, adoptive, and reunified families.

Comal Cops for Kids 14th Annual Gruene Turkey Trot 5K + Kids Turkey Chase (Thurs., Nov. 24)

Starting line: Gruene Hall., 1281 Gruene Rd.,New Braunfels
Registration fee: $15+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 7 a.m.; race starts at 8:30 a.m.
Enjoy an exhilarating run through Gruene’s historic district. Kids 12 and under are invited to chase a turkey mascot for a quarter mile through the town of Gruene.

Little Alsace Turkey Trot (Thurs., Nov. 24)

Starting line: Hardt Realty, 806 London St., Castroville
Registration fee: $15+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 7:15 a.m.; race starts at 8 a.m.
Don your turkey day running gear and enjoy the run through historic Castroville.

14th Annual Jingle Paws Classic 5K Run + Walk (Sat., Dec. 10)

Starting line: OP Schnabel Park, 9606 Bandera Rd., San Antonio
Registration fee: $25+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 7 a.m.; race starts at 8 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to participate in this race — including your furry friends as long as they’re on a leash.

Santa's Jingle Bell Run 5K (Sat., Dec. 10)

Starting line: San Marcos Plaza Park, 204 N C M Allen Pkwy., San Marcos
Registration fee: $25+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 7:30 a.m.; race starts at 9 a.m.
Don your favorite Christmas gear and run along the route through historic San Marcos while listening to Christmas music.

SJRC Jingle Bell Run, presented by Comal ISD (Sat., Dec. 10)

Starting line: Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Rd.,New Braunfels
Registration fee: $25+
Start time: Registration and packet pickup at 6:30 a.m.; race starts at 8 a.m.
Jingle all the way to the finish line of this race. After the race, runners can enjoy a holiday costume contest, hot cocoa, coffee, sausage wraps, beer, and pictures with Santa.

YMCA Reindeer Dash 5K + Rudolph Kids Dash (Sat., Dec. 17)

Starting line: YMCA at O.P. Schnabel Park, 9606 Bandera Rd., San Antonio
Registration fee: $30+
Start time: Race opening ceremony starts at 7:30 a.m.
Proceeds for this race will benefit the YMCA at O.P. Schnabel Park and the Mays Family YMCA at Potranco scholarship programs.

Poll:

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