Countdown is on to famous Liverpool Santa Dash

The iconic BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is thought to be the UK’s biggest festive 5K fun run – and is highly regarded as the city’s kick-start to Christmas.

Entries are open and more than 750 places have already been booked by dashing Santas young and old, red and blue. Online registration is open at https://www.btrliverpool.com/santa-dash-event

Last year, an impressive 6,100 Santas took part in the festive spectacular – making it the biggest turn-out since 2018. And organisers BTR Liverpool are keen to raise the bar even further.

To mark the countdown, organisers BTR Liverpool have announced the first two partners supporting this year’s event.

Claire House Children’s Hospice is the Official Event Charity Partner for the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash 2024. Claire House is the children’s hospice for Liverpool and beyond, providing the very best care for seriously and terminally ill local children and their families.

In Demand Radio is the Official Event Media Partner. Presenter Claire Simmo will be broadcasting her Sunday show live from the event.

The very first Liverpool Santa Dash took place in 2004. It was created by BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell. Over two decades, the event has continued to evolve. In 2007, the 1K Mini Dash was introduced for youngsters aged 12 and under, while blue Santa suits were added to the fun in 2010 due to public demand.

BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell commented: “When I visited a Santa run in Newtown in Wales in 2003, I was captivated by what saw – and just knew this was something Liverpool really needed. Press the fast forward button and here we are counting down 100 days to our milestone 20th anniversary year.

“Last year we welcomed 6,100 red, blue and mini Santas to dash round the city centre – and we want to build on that number even more to make sure we remain the UK’s biggest festive 5K fun run.

“It’s a magical day and if you’ve never seen the spectacle with your own eyes, it really does have to be seen to be believed. It’s magical and the perfect way to begin the city’s festivities.”

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region including the BTR Liverpool Half Marathon, BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K, BTR Tour Of Merseyside, Port Sunlight Road Race, and Run For The 97 5K.

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash starts at Pier Head Liverpool at 9.30am, before taking Santas through Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and round the city centre. Santas cross the grandstand finish line outside Liverpool Town Hall – complete with stilt-walking festive characters and ‘real’ snow.

The event also features the Mini Dash 1K for youngsters aged 12 and under. It starts at approximately 11am in Castle Street, once all Santas in the main Dash have completed the course. The youngsters follow a similar city centre route before crossing the finish line outside Liverpool Town Hall.

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is an accessible event open to everyone, from those running purely for fun to groups of fundraisers. The event acts as a platform for community groups, businesses, and charities to fundraise independently while taking part.

Santas walk, jog, or run alongside wheelchair participants, families, groups of friends or colleagues – even tiny Santas in prams and four-legged furry Santas.

The Liverpool Santa Dash entry fee covers all costs to organise and deliver the event including road closures, safety measures, Santa suits, medals, goody bags, and entertainment.

To find out more visit www.btrliverpool.com