The monumental BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is back for 2024 serving a good cause. Thousands of Liverpudlians are set to flock to the streets, running to help raise money for Claire House Children’s Hospice, marking the event’s 20th anniversary.
The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash is taking place on Sunday, December 1, thought to be the UK’s biggest 5k run.
Last year, 6,100 Santas took to the streets of Liverpool, making it the biggest run since 2018. And organisers BTR Liverpool are encouraging Liverpudlians to raise the bar and make this Santa Dash the biggest so far, as 7,000 people have already registered!
The event starts at Pier Head Liverpool at 9:30am, before taking running Santas through Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and around the city centre. Upon the finish line outside Liverpool Town Hall, Santas will encounter stilt-walking festive characters, and even “snow”.
Plus, the Lord Mayor will assist with officially starting the main Santa Dash from Pier Head Liverpool, waving off thousands of Santas as they cross the start line. The Lady Mayoress is taking part in the race, with a Santa suit and everything.
Lord Mayor Of Liverpool, Councillor Richard Kemp, said: “It was great visiting the Santa Dash pop-up shop at St Johns Shopping Centre, people were pouring in to sign up and collect their Santa suits. It’s a huge asset for the city and it’s going to be a great day.
“I’m looking forward to setting the Santas off as they dash round the city centre. I’ll be cheering everyone on – including our very own Lady Mayoress who will be joining in the fun, so please give her a wave along the way.”
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 around 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.”
How to register for the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash 2024 and claim free bus travel on the day
Online entries have now closed but people can still sign up at the pop-up shop at St Johns Shopping Centre. A standard ticket with a red Santa suit hire is £26, while a blue Santa suit will set visitors back £28.
For the little ones aged 5 – 8 and 9 – 14, the standard entry is £15. The children’s Mini Dash is taking place at 11am.
To claim complimentary Arriva North West bus travel to or from the city centre, Santas must wear their Santa suit and race number on the morning, or their Santa suit and finisher’s medal when travelling home. There is no cut-off time to travel after the event.