The Ugly Sweater Run (USR) presented by Kahlúa is a popular 5K national running series taking place across 11 US cities in December and benefitting the One Warm Coat charity. The race organizer, Motiv Running, has also announced a new global Instagram contest to discover what city boasts the ‘Ugliest of all ugly sweaters’, and will ‘compensate the winners handsomely’. There’s also a virtual component open to Motiv Running cities globally.
“Every year runners and walkers come out and really get into the holiday spirit and wear some of the ugliest sweaters one can ever imagine,” said Race Series Director Jenna Velardi. “We thought it would be fun to crown one city the ugliest sweater winner and offer the sweater owner a special cash prize.”
Brand new for 2017 is the virtual run; and now Motiv adds that all runners can join thousands of other like minded individuals across the globe and be eligible for one grand prize. The virtual runs are open beginning from 1-31 December; and participants in the US, the UK and Europe are eligible to participate. All runners will receive a race medal and are eligible to win a cash prize.
“We are also very excited about the new virtual element to the series and we look forward to seeing the ugliness from other countries too!,” added Jenna Velardi.
To enter the Ugly Sweater Run contest all participants are encouraged to follow the series on Instagram and ‘upload an image of their really ugly sweater’ to The Ugly Sweater Instagram Page and tag it with the hashtag #TheUglySweaterRun. A select panel of judges will review all entrants and ultimately crown runner ups and the grand prize ugly sweater.
The grand prize includes US$250 cash (to buy a really nice sweater) and complimentary entry into any Ugly Sweater Run in 2018. The runner up will get US$100 and third place receives a US$50 gift prize.
One dollar from every entry will be donated to One Warm Coat and one grand prize winner will be awarded US$250 from the Virtual Run category as well.
The Ugly Run Sweater series is now open for registration. The fun holiday run is open to runners, friends,and families and additional contests held on-site at the events include: Best Dog, Best Moustache, Best Beard, Best Home Made Sweater, Best Family, Most Original, Most Inappropriate, Best Team and Best Overall. All participants are encouraged to donate a gently worn coat to go to One Warm Coat. The charity provides warm outerwear to those in need.
The Ugly Sweater Run Presented by Kahlúa takes place in the following cities:
- Seattle, Washington – December 2, 2017
- New York City – December 2, 2017
- Washington D.C. – December 2, 2017
- Boston, MA – December 9, 2017
- Hartford, CT – December 9, 2017
- Pomona, CA – December 9, 2017
- Atlanta, GA – December 9, 2017
- Denver, Co – December 16, 2017
- Philadelphia, PA – December 16, 2017
- Chicago, IL – December 16, 2017
- Baltimore, MD – December 16, 2017
Motiv Sports is an active lifestyle and entertainment company. Founded in 2015, Motiv Sports is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with offices across the United States, Australia, United Kingdom and Canada. With decades of experience in the sports and entertainment events industry, the company adds that it is continually refining what works while exploring unique partnerships and opportunities to further enhance the consumer experience.
The Motiv Sports platform currently consists of 41 triathlon and running events and digital properties with plans to expand into several vertical industries in the outdoor lifestyle space.
