By: Matthew S. Taylor
While the idea of a Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake may suggest a sedentary activity, on Sunday, Dec. 7, this was far from the case. Nearly 300 people from across Tennessee and Georgia participated in three primary races: a 5K, a seven-mile run and a half marathon.
The event is set to become an annual tradition, as the inaugural event was Dec. 1, 2024, and there are plans for 2026 and beyond. The Christmas spirit was in the air, as runners wore festive costumes to match the theme. Holly Merrymaker, an anthropomorphic Christmas Tree Cake mascot, and the Grinch himself cheered for the runners. Participants were given a “swag bag” that included a box of the Christmas Tree Cakes as a sweet incentive, as well as the choice of a Little Debbie water bottle or towel.
Despite the temperature being in the low 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
The 5K proved to be the most popular race of the day, drawing a total of 126 runners, according to official results provided by Race Roster. The demographics of the race leaned slightly female, with 77 women and 49 men crossing the finish line. The average pace for the group was 12:38 per mile, suggesting a healthy mix of competitive sprinters and families enjoying a holiday jog.
The 7-Mile Run offered a unique challenge; the distance, serving a nod to the “Little Debbie 7 Fun Run” tradition, saw 42 participants take the course. The field was nearly evenly split, featuring 22 women and 19 men, with an impressive average pace of 10:02 per mile.
The most grueling event of the morning, the half marathon, attracted 29 dedicated endurance runners. These athletes tackled the 13.1-mile course with serious intent, clocking an average pace of 6:37 per mile. The gender split here was almost perfectly even, with 15 women and 14 men completing the long-distance circuit.
For students at Southern, the race offered an opportunity to step off campus and engage with the wider Collegedale community. The physical proximity of the race, which began just down the road from the university, made it an accessible escape from the stress of upcoming exams.
This race was held simultaneously to the Kirsten Wolcott Memorial 5K Race on Southern’s campus, which was offered as an extra-credit opportunity to students in fitness classes. However, some still participated in the community event.
Joshua Taylor, a freshman engineering major, saw the race as a way to challenge himself before the semester ended.
“I participated because it had been a while since I had pushed myself, and it was an opportunity for extra credit in my fitness class,” Taylor said. “This race stood out because it seemed like not too many people were going to be there, so I could have a bit of my own space to run.”
Taylor noted an atmosphere of respect paid to the veterans involved in the race operations.
“I appreciated the people in uniform that we raced by,” he added. “If I’m in town [next year], I think I will do it again.”
Mike Gloekler, corporate communications & PR manager for the event, emphasized that the purpose of the event was not only to have fun, but also to celebrate community.
“We’re proud that this event brings neighbors and families together, supports our beautiful Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park and underscores how sports, service and community pride can go hand in hand,” Gloekler said.
The event was not only a race, but a fundraiser with a specific local focus. Following the run, representatives from McKee Foods, along with the event mascot, Holly Merrymaker, presented a check for $7,341.11 to the Collegedale American Legion.
These proceeds will go directly to benefit Collegedale Veterans Memorial Park. Located adjacent to the university, the park is a familiar landmark for students, often used for Sabbath walks or quiet reflection. The donation helps ensure the park remains a place of honor for the community.
“I think this also serves as a humbling reminder that the freedoms we enjoy in our country and in our local communities come with a heavy toll paid by the men and women who chose to wear the cloth of the nation to defend our American way of life,” Gloekler added.
In addition to the veterans’ support, the event hosted a collection for Toys for Tots, with participants bringing new, unwrapped toys to support children in the community. Veterans from the American Legion, VFW and National Guard, along with the Ooltewah High School ROTC, were on hand to assist, reinforcing the service-oriented theme of the day.
The course itself showcased Collegedale’s natural beauty, utilizing the city’s greenway system to keep runners off busy roads. Participants wound their way past Veterans Park, around the duck pond and through the scenic tunnel and bridges that characterize the Wolftever Creek Greenway.
The event concluded before noon, allowing runners to collect their finisher medals, and perhaps a second helping of Christmas Tree Cakes, before the Christmas in Collegedale celebration began later that afternoon.
As the semester wraps up and students head home for the holidays, the 2025 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Run stands as a reminder of the vibrant, supportive community that surrounds the university. It gave them a chance to burn calories, honor veterans and share in the simple joy of a small-town Christmas.
