Liverpool Santa Dash: Everything you need to know 

The highly anticipated 19th annual BTR Liverpool Santa Dash takes place this coming Sunday, 4 December.

More than 5,000 Santas have already signed up for Santa Dash 2022 – ready to pull on their festive attire and be part of the UK’s biggest festive 5K fun run.

There’s not long left to register at the Santa Dash pop-up shop in St Johns Shopping Centre, Liverpool city centre. The shop is open 9.30am to 5pm today Friday (December 2) and Saturday (December 3) for final entries and Santa suit collection. No entries will be taken on event day. Online registration has now closed.

The very first winner of TV reality show Big Brother, Liverpool’s very own Craig Phillips, will be back on the start line to take part alongside wife Laura.

Miss England Jessica Gagen and Miss Liverpool City Region Georgia Austin are also joining in the Santa Dash fun. They will be cheering on Santas in their official sashes and tiaras – before pulling on their running shoes and taking part in the festive 5K fun run.

The Santa Dash will be hosted by Graeme White and In Demand Radio presenters Lee Butler and Josef Hollywood.

A number of ever present Santas will also be taking part, including Sue Gilham from Formby. The ever present Santas have completed all 18 previous Liverpool Santa Dash events and some will be proudly sporting their collection of festive medals.

Alder Hey Children’s Charity is raising funds towards the specialist hospital’s new £3M Surgical Neonatal Appeal to help develop a state-of-the-art unit for newborn babies and their families. The unique unit will be the first of its kind in the UK.

The unit is a joint project between Alder Hey and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust as the Liverpool Neonatal Partnership. It will offer 22 neonatal cots, including 18 individual family rooms where parents can remain alongside their poorly newborn 24 hours a day, whilst their baby receives expert care.

Start time?

9.30AM

Where is it?

The Dash will start from the Pier Head. 

What is the Santa Dash route?

The 5K route takes in The Strand, Grade I Listed Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and part of the city centre.

Is the Santa Dash accessible?

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash sponsored by Park Christmas Savings is an accessible event open to everyone, from those running purely for fun to groups of fundraisers. Each year Santas walk, jog, or run alongside wheelchair participants, families, groups of friends or colleagues – even tiny Santas in prams and even four-legged furry Santas.

How to get there?

The Pier Head is a short walk from James Street Station, Moorfields and Liverpool Central, as well as Liverpool ONE Bus Station and Queens Square. Support also comes from Arriva North West for a fifth time by inviting Santas to travel by bus into the city centre for free from across Merseyside on event day – as well as a free ride home afterwards. Participants must be wearing their Santa attire and run number on the morning, and be displaying their medal afterwards. There is no cut off time post run.

Kids Santa Dash event

The Mini Dash is 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.

For full information click here.