The best 10 Santa runs across the UK
Santa runs are a great fun way to get your friends, family and colleagues together and have a nice festive jog in a group environment without the pressure of a PB or fast time.
Whether you want to hop, skip, dance or run the route “yule” be sure to have lots of fantastic festive fun along the way.
Here’s our choice of the best ones across the UK…
Devon Santa Run - Sunday 10th December
We’re bringing the festive spirit to Exmouth seafront again this December with our family friendly Santa Run.
This fun run is open to everyone from experienced runners to complete beginners and is a jolly way to kick off the season of goodwill.
A 2.5km and 5km route will start and finish at Beach Gardens on Queens Drive, both routes will travel along shared pavements and will be fully marshalled.
All finishers will receive a bottle of water and a Santa inspired finishers medal.
Start Time: 10.00am
Cost:
Adults £15 (includes Santa suit or dress)
11-16 years £12.50 (includes Santa suit)
Under 10s £10 (includes Santa suit)
Or all ages £6 (Santa hat only)
Derby Santa Run - Sunday 10th December
This Christmas, join Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity and Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People at Markeaton Park for the Derby Santa Run!
Whether you hop, skip, dance or run the route, ‘yule’ be sure to have lots of festive fun. We’re also inviting Santa Paws to get involved, and they can wear their own special ‘pawsome’ festive bandana!
As a gift from us to you this Christmas, everyone who signs up to take part will also receive their very own Santa suit (under-3s are free but do not receive a suit) before they start the fun run; while you’ll also receive a finishers medal and goody bag once you’ve crossed the finish line.
Adults: £15
Children: £8
Skipton Santa Run - Sunday 26th November
The Great Skipton Santa Fun Run is a charity run and walk organised by The Rotary Club of Skipton Craven.
Starting at 1100 on Sunday 26th November 2023, on Skipton High Street, this is a precursor to the Christmas Lights switch on later on in the day
The event takes place with the support of Skipton Town Council
In addition to many of the runners’ own charities, the main beneficiaries this year will be Sue Ryder Manorlands, local Skipton charities and Rotary charities
The run follows a 5km course around Skipton, through Aireville Park and Skipton Woods. A shorter (3km) walkers and wheelchair friendly route, again starting on the High Street, takes in a circuit of Aireville Park.
North Berwick Beach Xmas Eve Santa Run - Sunday 24th December
This event is aimed at seasoned athletes, casual runners and families alike. Three race distances along the scenic East Lothian coast line.
The 2k run will start at 9:30am.
This year the event is raising funds for Mary’s Meals.
Santa in the city - Thursday 7th December
Santa in the City is the perfect way to get you, your friends, and your family into the London festive spirit! Starting at the Tate Modern run the 4.3km festive fun run on 07 December 2023.
Every runner is provided with a 5-piece Santa Suit (Hat, beard, jacket, trousers & belt), runner number & medal)
Be part of #TeamSands and you will receive:
a bespoke Sands t-shirt, to wear with pride support from a dedicated contact in our Fundraising team to help you achieve your target training advice and tips to ensure you are fully prepared ahead of race day our Sands digital fundraising pack full of ideas and advice fundraising materials to help you promote your fundraising events opportunities to celebrate with the team throughout your experience
Blues vs Reds Santa Dash - Sunday 3rd December
The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is the biggest and longest established Santa Run in the UK and in just the second year (back in 2005) achieved Guinness World Record status for the Biggest Santa Gathering.
The 5K fun run starts at the magnificent Pier Head in front of the famous Liver Building and by 9.30am the whole of the public space is completely full of Santas, many bedecked in traditional red with some blue among the mass crowd.
The 5K route flows through the city centre passing through the Royal Albert Dock and back along the main waterfront roads before turning into the tightly packed streets to finish in front of the Town Hall.
Runners are greeted with giant Christmas characters and a flurry of snow right on the finish line.
St Michael’s Hospice Santa Run - Sunday 17th December
On your marks, get set, Ho Ho Ho. The Hereford Santa Run brings a flash of red to the City centre with hundreds of runners dressed as Santa Claus to spread festive fun and burn a few cheeky calories for the holidays.
Open to everyone of all ages, bring the whole family along to walk, jog, scoot or run like Santa in this fun festive dash around Hereford!
What you get:
A Santa suit for all participants in your group (Adult & child sizes available)
A sweet treat and bottle of water at the finish line
A St Michael’s Hospice Santa Run medal
Signed and marshalled event route
Festive goody bags for those raising over £25 in sponsorship!
300 other Santa’s to run and have fun with
Southsea Santa Run - Saturday 16th December
The Santa Runs 2023 Southsea for a fundraising run in aid of many local charities.
FREE entry for all children 9yrs and under, to be with full paying adult.
230 kids places still remain
Festive Fun for the whole family
Rewards for all
Individual present from santa for all 9 yrs and under
Bespoke medal
Mince Pies
Refreshments available onsite
5k or 10k distance to choose from
Bolton Santa Dash - Sunday 10th December
The 5km fun run starts at Bolton Arena running track.
The 5km route starts on the running track, then flows out through the grounds of Bolton Arena before returning back to the running track to finish in front of a cheering crowd.
It really kick starts a healthy Christmas in Bolton and this fun run has something for all the family.
Christmas related refreshments will be available to purchase on the day.
SANTA SUITS
Everyone who enters the Bolton Arena Santa Dash is required to wear a Santa suit and will be awarded a race medal upon finishing the event.
Price per entry is £10 per person with a Santa suit
Price per entry is £7 per person without a Santa Suit
Chase the Xmas Pudding - Sunday 26th November
What could be more amusing leading up to the Christmas period than getting out your festive costumes, chasing a giant Christmas Pudding all while having fun and raising vital funds for Hospice of the Valleys.
Forget training or worrying about how fast you can complete it; this Festive Fun Run is all about dressing up, being with friends and family and supporting a good local cause.
You can run, jog, dance, skip or walk 2 laps of the scenic lake whilst chasing our giant Christmas Pudding. Or take part virtually in your own local community.
Feel free to wear your own costume; elves, Santa reindeer, turkeys are all welcome – in fact anything Christmassy! We’ll have a prize for the best fancy dress too.
The event is family friendly and wheelchair accessible; push prams are welcome so why not make it a family effort. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome to join us too.
There will be Christmas music to raise the spirits, raffle and well deserved hot and cold refreshments available in the Visitors Centre. Changing facilities and parking available on site.
