Santa Run 2016
Published on 18 October 2016 02:02 PM
Take part in the 2016 Santa Run for Age UK London!
Over 4,000 Father Christmases will descend on Victoria Park for London’s biggest Santa Run – and you can join them to raise vital funds for Age UK London!
Taking place on Sunday 4th December, the fun run is set to bring a flash of red and Christmas cheer to Victoria Park, London, as thousands of Santas tackle the 5km and 10km courses.
Sign up for the 2016 Santa Run today!
This is a whole family event: there is a children’s 200m run to the start of the day; anyone aged 8+ can take part in the main race; wheelchair users are very welcome; you can bring prams; and some people even run with the family dog!
No previous experience is required and with a bit of training, the 5km or 10km distance could be within your capabilities! Whether you run, jog or walk – this event is all about the taking part, not the winning.
As if all this wasn’t enough, everyone taking part in the Santa Run will receive a free Father Christmas costume on the day! Don’t forget to grab yours so you can transform into Mr or Mrs Claus at the drop of a (bobbled) hat! Alternatively, feel free to bring your own costume – elves and reindeer are welcome too!
The event registration fee is £25 and we’re asking you to commit to raising a minimum of £100 for the vital work of Age UK London.
Age UK London’s aim is to reach out to as many of the 2.1 million older Londoners as possible, to improve the quality of their lives and to enhance their status and influence in the capital. We do this through our Londonwide programmes and through our campaigning and communications work.
Sign up for the 2016 Santa Run today!
If you would prefer to sign up offline, please contact Danny Elliott
A personal fundraising page will be created for you on www.doitforcharity.com/give as soon as you sign up so you can get started on raising your funds right away! Don’t forget to share your page with friends and family and tell everyone about the fantastic challenge you are taking part in!
Top fundraising tips include asking your employer to match everything you raise pound for pound and trying fun activities such as sweepstakes, a pub quiz or a cake sale! If you are stuck for ideas then all you need to do is ask!
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 4th December and thank you for raising funds to support older people in London.
Please click below to find out the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Santa Run 2016.
When and where?
The 2016 Do it for Charity Santa Run will take place on Sunday 4th December in London’s Victoria Park ( https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Victoria+Park/@51.5338385,-0.0438492,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x0:0xe0bcb0765fbb76a!2sVictoria+Park!8m2!3d51.5338385!4d-0.0416605!3m4!1s0x0:0xe0bcb0765fbb76a!8m2!3d51.5338385!4d-0.0416605 ). This parkland venue offers a perfect setting for you to enjoy your run on behalf of Age UK London! Costume collection will be from 9:45am with the run due to start from approximately 11:00am. The children’s fun run will take place before the main challenge at around 10.30am.
What’s included?
• Your place in London’s biggest Santa Run
• A free Santa costume
• A Santa’s grotto and Christmas themed characters who are dressed up and ready to meet the participants!
• You will automatically be set up with a Do It For Charity Santa Run fundraising page when you sign up so you can get started right away!
• A children's fun run at the beginning of the event
• A carol singing choir to add some magic to the day
• Big stage warm-up to make sure you are ready to run!
• Training guidance
• Fundraising support
• Full route signage – so we don’t have any Santa’s getting lost!
• Dedicated ‘Do it for Charity’ events team who are on hand with advice
• A medal when you race through the finish line!
How fit do I need to be?
Hundreds of thousands of people take part in 5km and 10km runs every year - many of them for the first time. It's therefore perfectly achievable for the 'average' person to take part in this event but in order to maximise your enjoyment we do recommend you do some training! Help is also on hand in the form of the www.doitforcharity.com fitness pages where you can find a sample training plan – Age UK London will also be able to direct you to training resources. A good place to start for beginners would be the NHS ‘Couch to 5K’ training programme. (http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k.aspx)
What kit will I need?
Running is one of those great sports where you won't need lots of expensive equipment. A good pair of running shoes should last for around 500 miles which is 8 months on an average 15 miles/week training schedule. Once again help is at hand in the form of www.doitforcharity.com kit pages where you will learn the importance of choosing the correct shoes. Please note however that it’s important that you buy them at least a couple of months before the event itself so you have a chance to wear them in!
Do it for Charity Santa costumes will be provided for you on the day free of charge, so don’t forget to pick one up! Alternatively, feel free to bring your own costume – Santa’s elves are welcome too!
How much does it cost?
The registration fee for the event is £25 – this goes directly to Do it for Charity and covers the cost of putting on London’s biggest Santa Run… and you get a free Santa costume thrown in too! Age UK London are asking you to commit to raising a minimum sponsorship of £100 on top of this.
Contact: Danny Elliott, Communications and Fundraising Officer, delliott@ageuklondon.org.uk 020 7820 6778