You know you want to. Dress up in a Santa suit for a Dash with hundreds of other similarly attired runners, that is. Yes, it's that time of year again when PB-chasing is parked for another day/year and fun on the run is the number one priority.

Brighton Santa Dash is on Saturday (11 December) and there's still just about enough time to enter for £18 (includes Santa suit and medal). Entries close today (9 December). The start is on Ho-Ho-Hove Lawns near the Peace Statue and there's a free-to-enter kid's 400m race before the main event. The route is described on the event website as: "a nice flat out and back run", although we don't think too many Santas will be running "flat out"!

Meanwhile, at Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, there is the Brean Down Santa Scramble on Sunday (12 December). This is a 5K or 10K festive fancy dress event on a hilly, circular route through National Trust land with a halfway drinks/nibbles table at the Fort and a finishers table laden with Christmas treats. 

Jingle Jog 2021 at Frimley Lodge Park, Surrey on Sunday adds the extra element of sound to the festive atmosphere as 5,000 jingle bells tinkle their way around Frimley Green on the 5K course around the village. Santa hats and two sets of ankle-worn jingle bells are provided – festive costume is a personal choice – and every finisher is rewarded with a mince pie and mulled wine.

On a weekend that has more than 20 Christmas-themed running events in runABC South's race listing, former Reading-resident news writer Alan Newman selects Reading Santa Run 5K (pictured above) with its supporting 1K Mini Santa and Elf Run on Sunday. The 5K route starts and finishes in Forbury Gardens and includes busy Broad Street, Market Place, the Oracle Shopping Centre, and the tranquil Kennet and Avon towpath.

Some of the events highlighted will take entries on the day (check first) or look ahead to the final weekend before the real Santa delivers his presents (if you've been good this year) for another selection box of festive fixtures. Go on, you know you want to...!

Check out all the Christmas-themed events at runABC South race listing here

Image courtesy Rotary Club of Reading Santa Run on facebook