FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Below is a listing of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Christmas Town Dash 8K. If you see a question that you would like the answer to, simply click on the question and the answer will be revealed.
Check our Race Weekend Page for dates, times, & locations!
The event will be held at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg.
Event parking opens to participants and families at 6AM and closes at 8AM. All parking is free.
All participants must enter through the employee entrance, on Route 60, adjacent to the brewery. Be sure to allow plenty of time to walk from the parking area to the Start/Finish line. The Busch Gardens trams will NOT be running at the event.
7:30 a.m. Warm-up fun begins
8:00 a.m. Dasher 1/2 Mile
8:30 a.m. Christmas Town Dash 8K
10:00 a.m. Awards Ceremony
For the Dasher 1/2 Mile: Plan to arrive no later than 7:15am. Fun Run start time: 8:00 a.m.
For the Christmas Town Dash 8K: Plan to arrive early. Parking entrance will close at 8:00 a.m. and all traffic will be blocked. Christmas Town Dash 8K start time: 8:30 a.m.
You may register for the Christmas Town Dash 8K or the Dasher 1/2 Mile here
If you would like to defer or change, please contact raceteam@flatoutevents.com. The fee to defer the 8K is $20 and the deadline is November 28, 2025. Transferring of bibs is not permitted.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer refunds for any reason whatsoever.
If the race is not sold out, you may register at packet pickup or race day!
Participants must pick up their packets in person at one of the scheduled packet pick-up locations. Race packets not picked up by the participant prior to the start of the race will not be mailed once the race date has passed. Unclaimed t-shirts will be placed back into inventory and made available for runners to exchange sizes at the post race celebration, and sizes are not guaranteed.
Yes, please download the Authorization Form and follow the instructions. You do not need identification to pick up for your spouse or child with the same last name; you need only to present your own identification.
New in 2025, hop on the fast track to your corral when you purchase Race Day Pickup. Your race bib, shirt and safety pins will be preassigned and packaged to quickly get you to the start line.
Must be purchased by November 28, 2025.
A course map may be viewed here
This exciting 8K course through Christmas Town contains many hills, turns, and different surfaces. Please wear appropriate running footwear.
There are NO strollers or handcycles allowed during the 8K. Strollers are allowed during the Dasher 1/2 Mile.
Yes, there will be corrals for the Christmas Town Dash 8K. The corral that you will be placed in will be determined by the finishing time that you provided on your registration form. It is important to line up according to the corral that you are placed in. A chip embedded in your bib will time your run, so your time will begin only when you cross the start line.
Due to safety and insurance requirements within Busch Gardens, NO strollers of any type will be allowed on the 8K course. Strollers are allowed during the Dasher 1/2 Mile and in the spectator area.
Pets, bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, etc., are not permitted in the races.
The use of personal audio devices is strongly discouraged. To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, Flat-Out Events encourages a headphone-free environment during the running of the Christmas Town Dash 8K. Busch Gardens will be playing Christmas music in the park for your enjoyment.
Runner safety is a top priority for our event. Please be mindful of the other participants and respect the race personnel to ensure a safe and enjoyable race for everyone.
Yes! Registered walkers are welcome in the 8K. However, a brisk, athletic walk will be appropriate. The course will be cleared of participants by course marshals at 10:30 a.m.
There are no minimum or maximum age restrictions on either event.
Bottled water, fruit, and healthy snacks will be provided to all participants after the 8K.
Dasher 1/2 Mile participants receive bottled water and healthy snacks.
COLD! The average high for December in Williamsburg is 52.6⁰F and the average low is 31.4⁰F. Please check the weather the night before the race and dress appropriately!
Yes, there is gear check! We will provide you with a clear bag to check your gear. All runners have to use the clear bags. No other bags will be accepted due to safety reasons. We will put your belongings in a bag, write your Bib # on the bag, and keep it secured for you during the race. This is for simple items like keys and sunglasses. Please do not plan to leave high-value items with the gear check.
Yes, there will be 3 water stops along the 8K course.
The spectator area is at the Start/Finish line area. Please note that spectators will not be allowed inside the theme park. There is no cost to be a spectator at the event.
Parents may choose to run with their child if he or she needs help staying on course or is under 4 years old. Otherwise, we encourage you to stay at the start / finish line area to get great pictures!
Certainly! The fun run will be completed a few minutes before the 8k start.
Once the race concludes, the park and parking areas must be cleared before the Christmas Town can open for the day at 2PM.
Each 8K runner will receive a FREE 2024 Christmas Town ticket and a discounted Busch Gardens, Williamsburg Spring 2025 ticket. The Christmas Town ticket may only be redeemed at the gate, it may not be used to purchase a ticket in advance.
Pets are NOT allowed on the race course or post-race field for the safety of race participants, spectators and the animals.
However, service animals as recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are permitted on course. Should you decide to run the race with a service animal, please email us at raceteam@flatoutevents.com. Runners with ADA service animals will be placed in the last corral behind individual runners for safety purposes.