Liverpool Santa Dash is back next week and you can still sign up to take part

Liverpool Santa Dash returns on Sunday 4 December 2022

In just over one week Liverpool city centre will be transformed into a sea of red and blue for the 19^th annual BTR Liverpool Santa Dash – with more than 4,000 already signed up.

This year’s event takes place on Sunday 4 December 2022, and is sponsored by Park Christmas Savings, part of Liverpool-based Appreciate Group.

Official event charity is Alder Hey Children’s Charity Surgical Neonatal Appeal, and official media partner is In Demand Radio. All three organisations are returning for a second consecutive year.

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.

Liverpool Santa Dash was created by BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell – and is the UK’s biggest festive 5K fun run.

Highly regarded as the city’s kick-start to Christmas, the festive spectacular was first staged in 2004 and next year marks its milestone 20^th staging – making it one of the longest established highlights in the city event calendar.

Time is quickly running out to register and Santa suit collection. Call into the Santa Dash pop-up shop, which is open seven days a week at St Johns Shopping Centre in Liverpool city centre.

The Santa Dash team joined in with the official switch-on of the Christmas lights at St Johns Shopping Centre, alongside the centre’s dedicated charity of the year Everton in the Community. Specials guests included EitC Ambassador Ian Snodin and youngster nine-year-old Valentin.

The Santa Dash pop-up shop opened on 1 November and will continue to be open seven days a week through to Saturday 3 December – the day before the event. Located on the lower level near the Matalan bridge, opening times are Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm, and Sunday 11am to 4pm.

Santas can also dash and fundraise for Alder Hey Children’s Charity visit https://www.alderheycharity.org/events/latest/liverpool-santa-dash/ Or make a donation at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/santadashah2022 – £3,500 has already been raised for the charity through this year’s event.

Neil Ashcroft, Director of St Johns Shopping Centre, commented:

“We’re delighted to see the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash return to St Johns Shopping Centre with its city centre pop-up shop for a sixth year. It’s always a brilliant sight when you see groups of shoppers carrying their Santa suit goody bags through the centre against the backdrop of our centre looking truly festive – then you know Christmas is definitely on the way. Our team will be joining in the fun and dashing round the city with thousands of other Santas – and we cannot wait.”

This year’s Liverpool Santa Dash was officially launched in August in glorious sunshine aboard the iconic Mersey Ferry – much to the amusement of passengers who were greeted by a group of excited Santas.

Since it was first staged in 2004, the Liverpool Santa Dash has continued each year including a virtual format in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic when mass participation events were not permitted. The 1K Mini Dash for youngsters aged 12 and under was introduced in 2007, while blue Santa suits were launched in 2010.

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

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash 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.

The event acts as a platform for community groups, businesses, and charities to fundraise independently while taking part.

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash 2022 sponsored by Park Christmas Savings starts at 9.30am from Pier Head Liverpool on Sunday 4 December. The 5K route takes in The Strand, Grade I Listed Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and part of the city centre.

Katumba Drumming Band will spur on Santas to the grandstand finish line at Liverpool Town Hall – where they will be greeted by festive characters and ‘real’ snow.

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.

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