December Marathon Shirts 2026: Memphis, CIM, Honolulu

Four well-known US marathons run on back-to-back December weekends in 2026: the St. Jude Memphis Marathon on Saturday, Dec. 5, the California International Marathon in Sacramento on Sunday, Dec. 6, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon in South Carolina on Saturday, Dec. 12, and the JAL Honolulu Marathon on Sunday, Dec. 13. Each one has a different crowd: charity fundraisers in Memphis, Boston and Olympic Trials qualifiers in Sacramento, a resort race on Kiawah, and a no-cutoff race in Honolulu that draws walkers as well as runners.

That variety is good for custom shirt shops. Runners order team and goal shirts, families order spectator shirts, and charity teams order matching tees weeks ahead. This guide covers each race, shirt ideas, fabric and press settings, and when to order. It continues our November marathon shirt guide, which covers San Antonio on Dec. 6, and the Dallas and Houston guide.

The four races

St. Jude Memphis Marathon, Dec. 5

The 2026 race is the event's 25th anniversary. St. Jude calls the weekend the largest single-day fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and every in-person distance has sold out. The marathon and half start at 8 a.m. at B.B. King Boulevard and Beale Street; the 10K and 5K start at 7 a.m. at B.B. King and Madison Avenue. The marathon has a 6.5-hour time limit. Runners can sign up as St. Jude Heroes, committing to raise money in exchange for fundraising benefits, and the course passes through the St. Jude campus, where patients and families cheer.

Shirt angle: Fundraising teams. Heroes teams often order matching shirts with a team name, the runner's fundraising goal, or the name of a child they run for. The 25th anniversary is another hook for "I ran the 25th" designs that avoid the official logo.

California International Marathon, Dec. 6

CIM runs point to point from Folsom to the California State Capitol in Sacramento on a net-downhill course that organizers say has not changed in 42 years. The race is a Boston Marathon and US Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier, and USA Track & Field lists it as the site of the 2026 USATF Marathon Championships. Organizers also run a relay, and they say more than 100,000 runners have finished CIM over its history.

Shirt angle: Qualifier chasers. Goal-time shirts ("Sub-3 or Bust," "Chasing Boston"), running club shirts, and relay team shirts with each leg's runner on the back.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon, Dec. 12

The 2026 race is the 48th annual edition. The full and half marathon both start at 8 a.m. and finish at West Beach Village, and the route passes maritime forest, marsh, and island homes. The resort says entries are limited and that registration closes automatically when it fills; the full marathon is open to runners 18 and older. Entry includes a finish-line party.

Shirt angle: Destination race. Lowcountry and beach art, "Island 13.1" shirts, and travel-group shirts for friends who book the trip together.

JAL Honolulu Marathon, Dec. 13

The marathon and the Start to Park 10K both start at 5 a.m. on Dec. 13, and the Kalakaua Merrie Mile runs at 7 a.m. on Dec. 12. Organizers say the race has no time limit, no qualifying time, and no lottery, and that it brings together more than 35,000 participants. That makes it a common first marathon and a popular race for walkers.

Shirt angle: First-timers and walkers. "First 26.2" shirts, family support shirts, and aloha-style prints for groups who make it a vacation.

Logo and name rules

Race names, logos, and title sponsor names belong to the race organizers and sponsors. A shop that prints an official logo on a fan shirt without permission is taking a risk. Safer designs use the distance, the runner's name and goal, the city, and original art, or ask the team captain to get artwork from the race or charity. The same approach is covered in more detail in our Chicago, Marine Corps, and NYC spectator guide.

Fabric and press settings

Runners usually want polyester performance tees, while spectators often want cotton or blends. DTF Database's press settings chart lists:

• Performance and moisture-wicking polyester: 250 to 275°F, 15 to 20 seconds, cold peel.
• 100% polyester: 270 to 285°F, 10 to 12 seconds, cold peel.
• 100% cotton spectator tees: 300 to 325°F, 10 to 15 seconds.

Dye migration is the main risk on dark or red polyester. Our dye migration guide covers blocker films and lower temperatures. For a common race tee, see the Port & Company PC380 guide.

When to order

Work back from race day, then subtract the week of Thanksgiving, when many transfer suppliers and carriers slow down.

Shirts shipping to Hawaii take longer than mainland ground service. The 2026 holiday shipping deadlines guide lists the carriers' published dates for Hawaii and Alaska.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print the St. Jude or Honolulu Marathon logo on a shirt?

Not without permission. Race names, logos, and sponsor marks belong to the organizers and sponsors. For a charity team, ask the team captain to request approved artwork from the race or charity. Otherwise, use original designs with the distance, city, team name, and runner names.

What shirts do marathon runners wear on race day?

Most runners wear lightweight polyester performance tees or singlets because they wick sweat and dry quickly. Cotton gets heavy when wet and can chafe over 26.2 miles, so cotton is better for spectator shirts and post-race celebration shirts.

What temperature do I press DTF on a polyester running shirt?

DTF Database's press chart lists 250 to 275°F for 15 to 20 seconds with a cold peel on performance and moisture-wicking fabric, and 270 to 285°F for 10 to 12 seconds on standard 100% polyester. Test on a hidden area first, since some performance fabrics scorch easily.

When should a charity running team order shirts for a December marathon?

Most teams should order transfers about three weeks before race day and avoid counting Thanksgiving week as production time. For races on Dec. 5 and 6, that means ordering by mid-November.

Where this fits in the DTF Database

For other race-season orders, see the turkey trot shirt guide and the ugly Christmas sweater and Jingle Bell Run guide. To find a transfer supplier with a turnaround that fits your race date, browse the DTF supplier directory.