# Channel the Holidays 5K, 1 Mile & Kids Run

> Event for families in the Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia area (NC / SC). Times are Eastern Time.

- When: Sat, Dec 12 · 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- Where: U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214
- Ages: Kids Run: 9 & under; 5K and 1 mile open to all
- Price: Kids Run (9 & under) $20 pre-registration, $25 race day; 1 mile $37 / $42; 5K $45 / $50; pre-registration ends December 10, 2026; parking $13
- Organizer: U.S. National Whitewater Center
- Official page: https://whitewater.org/race-forms/2026-channel-the-holidays/
- Last checked: Tue, Oct 27

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 2, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-01), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/channel-the-holidays-5k-1-mile-and-kids-run--listing-3833a97926a4f525230ef9f0

## About

A December trail-to-channel footrace at the U.S. National Whitewater Center with a 5K, a 1-mile run and a separate 1-mile Kids Run for children 9 and under. Part of the course runs through the center's concrete whitewater channels with the water drained, so runners handle steps, drop-offs, inclines and wet surfaces as well as trail; the organizer asks everyone to take the channel features with care. The Kids Run starts first at 9:30 a.m. (course closes at 10:00), the 1 mile at 10:00 and the 5K at 10:30. Registration includes a post-race hot chocolate bar with toppings for all ages, and the top three boys and girls in the Kids Run receive awards (finishers must be at the ceremony). Every participant must sign the Whitewater Center's assumption-of-risk waiver, which can be printed or completed on site. Packet pick-up is Friday, December 11, 5–7 p.m. in the South Conference Center, or on race morning from 8:30. Long-sleeve shirts are guaranteed only with registration by November 30. The race goes ahead rain or shine.

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