Your Ultimate 10 Step Guide to the Liverpool Santa Dash 2016

Less than a week to go until our fair city is overrun with thousands of red (and blue) suits as the Liverpool Santa Dash 2016, gets underway on Sunday 4th December at 9:30am.

We’ve put together this 10 step guide on how to have the best Liverpool Santa Dash ever, from preparation for the run itself to the best vantage point to take pics, where to park, where to grab a belly-busting brunch afterwards and how to share your medal selfies!

1 – What’s It All About?

On December 4th 2016, Liverpool will host the 13th annual Santa Dash, a 5k race around the city centre to raise money for three local charities, Radio City Cash for Kids, Everton in the City and Zoe’s Place.

Liverpool competes against Las Vegas for the title of hosting the world’s biggest festive fun run and it’ll come as no surprise to hear that more than 75,000 dashing Santa’s have taken part since the race began in 2004! We’re a city of winners, and we want to bring home the title again this weekend!

2 – Get Involved

The Liverpool Santa Dash spectacle is fun for everyone to enjoy, but actually completing the course and wandering around town with your finisher’s medal is the best! There’s still time to sign up in person, but you’ll have to be quick. With online entries now closed, head to Rapid Hardware, Liverpool city centre, or BTR HQ, 82 Market Street, Hoylake HQ to register and collect your all important Santa suit before 5pm on Friday 2nd December.

It’s £23 to enter which also buys you a natty one-size-fits-all 5 piece santa suit, plus some goodies and your all important wrist band. At the end of the race you will need to exchange your wristband for your finishers medal, don’t lose it!

Santa Dash Liverpool

3 – Mini Dash

The kids can take part too! The Mini Dash is a short 1k fun run for children up to the age of 12. Once the main event has finished (approx. 11am, listen out for instructions from the PA system). Parents and guardians can run with their little ones too but don’t have to register. After legging it around the course, all mini finishers get a medal and event memento. Mega! Again, register in person for you mini Santa suit and goodies at Rapid of BTR HQ, details here.

4 – The Course

Looks dead easy doesn’t it…haha! Apart from the James Street hill right at the beginning! But hill’s aside, the thrill of running up and down the Churchill Way flyover is awesome, and such a special sight for those spectating. Luckily for those taking part this year the last kilometre of the race is flat, so don’t forget to smile as you sprint towards the finish line!

5 – Road Closures

With any city centre event, there comes the inevitable road closures but BTR have worked hard to keep traffic restrictions to a minimum. From 6am on Sunday 4th December, a road traffic management plan will be in place and road closures will be lifted on a rolling basis after the event.

Click here for a full list and bear it in mind when choosing a car park on Sunday morning. We recommend sticking to the south of the city centre, St Johns Car Park, Mount Pleasant and Hanover Street car parks may prove a better choice than those closer to the route!

6 – Travel

We recommend you download the Merseyrail App here (available from both App Store and Google Play) to get the most up to date info on the trains into James Street and the newly revamped Moorfields stations, both are within 5 minutes walking distance of the start line at the Pier Head.

This is the easiest way to get around with the road closures coming into place, early on Sunday morning….plus it means you can have a celebratory beer or two afterwards without worrying about the car!

7 – Jazz It Up

As we mentioned earlier, your £23 entry fee bags you a stunning little 5 piece, red Santa suit, complete with trousers, jacket, belt, hat and beard, with blue versions for the toffees of course. (All 500 blue suits have now been issued) And while you must be wearing all items of your suit for us to claim the world title, it doesn’t mean you cant jazz it up a little!

Our Kate is taking part this Sunday and has got the scissors and glue out already! Share your Santa Selfies with us on Sunday by tweeting us @TheGuideLpool or look out for Kate and The Guide Liverpool Gopro at the event. You run faster in glitter, fact!

Santa Dash 2014

8 – Post Dash Brunch

You’ve done it! You’ve completed the Liverpool Santa Dash 2016 and claimed your finishers medal, now it’s time to refuel and maybe even enjoy a post-dash beer! You’re spoiled for choice on a Sunday morning with cafe’s, bars and restaurants offering all manner of brunch and brekkie.

In staggering distance of the finish line you have loads of venues serving up a hearty breakfast including The Alchemist, Neighbourhood and Brasco serve up a great full-english and the Castle Street Townhouse offers up bottomless brunch with prosecco! Alternatively (if your legs will carry you) wander over to Cleveland Square (behind John Lewis) for a Cow&Co bagel and hot chocolate, or The Brunch Club on Hanover Street for some carb heavy pancakes and a bloody Mary! You deserve it!

9 – One to Watch

If you’re heading into the city centre to watch the Liverpool Santa Dash spectacle or support a runner, take a look at our Hot Chocolate Tour of Liverpool and get yourself a piping hot drink to keep your mitts warm while you cheer all the Santa’s on to the finish line.

We reckon the best places to watch (that’s out of the brisk dock road wind) are the corner of Lord Street (by Debenhams), the Victoria street car park and of course Castle Street for the big finish. Don’t forget to share your pics on the day, tweet us @TheGuideLpool and we’ll share the love!

Official Santa Dash Charities

10 – Top Tips

Okay so some of this is pretty basic, but we want you to have the best run and day out possible, so take a sec to have a quick read through our check list!

– Leave in plenty of time! Check your car park is accessible and the train times before you head off!

– Don’t forget your safety pins for your race number and make sure your emergency contact info is filled in

– You MUST have your red Santa Dash wrist band to get your medal at the finish line, stick it on the night before!

– Get your selfie stick and make sure your phone battery is fully charged for tonnes of selfies and tweet us @TheGuideLpool

Click here for general FAQ’s and to check out the gallery from last year’s Santa Dash! We hope you have an amazing run and look forward to seeing you along the way!