IN PHOTOGRAPHS: Santa Dash 2023 — 20th Race Event Around Liverpool City Centre

IN PHOTOGRAPHS: Santa Dash 2023 — 20th Race Event Around Liverpool City Centre

(Credit: Erica Dillon/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

• Spectacular attracts 6,100 red, blue, and mini Santas.

• Alder Hey patient Lincoln from St Helens guest of honour.

• Entries open for next year’s event on 1 December 2024.

Liverpool was transformed into a sea of red, blue, and mini Santas last weekend for the milestone 20th staging of the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash.

A staggering 6,100 dashing Santas took part in the festive spectacular, with many regarding the event as the real kick-start to Christmas in the city. This year’s turn-out was the biggest group of dashing Santas since 2018.

Credit: Erica Dillon.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Erica Dillon.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Erica Dillon.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

Credit: Paul Francis Cooper.

The event took place on Sunday the 3rd of December – and is believed to be the UK’s biggest festive 5K fun run.

'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. Fast forward 20 years, and after plenty of hard work and dedication, Liverpool now has the biggest festive 5K fun run in the UK.' - Alan Rothwell, BTR Liverpool Race Director.

As well as Santas from the North West region, others had travelled across the country to take part, as well as those visiting from Australia, Bangkok, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, and Spain.

The very first Liverpool Santa Dash took place in 2004. It was created by BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell. BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across the Liverpool City Region.

Entries are open for next year’s event on Sunday the 1st of December. Blue Santa places are limited – register through BTR's website.

Next up in the BTR event calendar is the 30th Anniversary BTR Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race on Sunday 17 March 2024.

Read our full article on the Santa Dash 2023.