Tacky Light Run registration is closed!

But a donation to a local charity just might nab you a spot.

December 5, 2013; 10:08 AM • by RVANews staff

Update #1 — December 5, 2013; 10:07 AM

Organizers of the first annual CarMax Tacky Light Run, Sports Backers, announced this week that the 6k fun run event has reached its 5,000-person capacity.

But Sports Backers announced it will offer entries to the first 10 individuals who donate $250 or more to Kicks & Wheels, the official charity of the event, which will use raised funds to purchase athletic shoes or a bike for children in underserved communities.

The holiday-themed fun run is scheduled for December 14th and will take runners past tacky light displays in Midlothian.

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Original — September 12, 2013

Today Sports Backers announced a new event: the CarMax Tacky Light Run. The Midlothian-based 6k run takes place in and around Midlothian Mines Park and winds it’s way through the Walton Park neighborhood. Participants will run past some of the crazy, tacky lights for which Richmond is known while wearing crazy, tacky sweaters of their own.

The race takes place Saturday, December 14th at 6:00 PM. Registration fees start at $35 with some discounts available. You can download the course map here (PDF).

More information can be found on the Sports Backers website.

Here’s the press release:

The Sports Backers announced today the first annual CarMax Tacky Light Run will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. This six kilometer (3.72-mile) holiday-themed fun run takes one of Richmond’s favorite traditions–tacky holiday lights–and meshes it with a celebration of active lifestyle.

The trend we’re seeing in the industry is that running is becoming more and more of a social sport. People want to share their experiences with friends and family, both physically and through social media outlets,” said Sports Backers executive director Jon Lugbill. “With all of the energy, lights and decorations out on the course, the CarMax Tacky Light Run will perfectly mirror that trend.”

The tradition of tacky lights was born in Richmond, and so was CarMax, Inc. nearly 20 years ago. Not only is Richmond the nation’s “Capital of Tacky Lights,” but it is home to the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, making the CarMax Tacky Light Run an incredibly unique event.

“The CarMax Tacky Light Run will be a festive and entertaining event to celebrate our Richmond hometown and help Richmond area families get moving toward a healthier and more active lifestyle,” said Bill Nash, executive vice president of human resources and administrative services for CarMax, Inc. “We’re proud to call Richmond home and to join the Sports Backers in introducing this exciting new event.”

The CarMax Tacky Light Run starts and finishes in Midlothian Mines Park, looping participants by some of the most festive homes in the adjoining Walton Park neighborhood.

“Our residents take a lot of pride in the number of holiday lights we use to decorate our homes each year,” said Virginia Goin, former president of the Walton Park Neighborhood Association. “We are thrilled the CarMax Tacky Light Run will give us an opportunity to show off our holiday enthusiasm to more people.”

An untimed event, the CarMax Tacky Light Run is fit for families and groups alike. Team rebates will be offered to encourage group participation. Teams with six to 14 members will receive a $3 rebate on all entries, and teams with 15 or more members will receive a $7 rebate on all entries.

Participants have the ability to make a donation at the time of registration to the official event charity, Kicks & Wheels, a partnership between the Sports Backers and the Richmond Area Bicycling Association (RABA). Funds raised will benefit children in underserved communities with the gift of athletic shoes and bikes during the holiday season. These shoes and bikes will be distributed to pre-qualified, low-income families in the Richmond region.

To kick off the registration period, the Sports Backers are celebrating “12 Days of Tackiness” on the CarMax Tacky Light Run Facebook page. During this 12-day period, contests and discount promo codes will be posted daily. For more information or to register for the first annual CarMax Tacky Light Run, please visit www.sportsbackers.org.