Even though we’re barely past Hallowe’en, Scotland’s race calendar is filling up with festive family fun faster than you can say Donner and Blitzen.

First down the chimney will be the Scurry Events’ 1.2K Festive Fun Run. The third edition of the event, to be held on 28 November, aims to provide community support to both South Morningside primary school and the Friends of the Hermitage. Festive clothing will be wholeheartedly encouraged, and all children entered into the Fun Run will receive an elf hat to run in and keep.

The first weekend of December will be keeping Santa very busy. He, or at least lots of his helpers, will be heading to North Inch for the Perth Santa Run on Saturday, 4 December. 

On the Sunday (5 December), they'll be heading to Aberdeenshire for the Turriff Running Club’s 5K Den Dasher and 1K Tinsel Trot, held in support of the North-East town’s foodbank and Men’s Shed. All finishers will receive a Christmas-themed medal, with spot prizes for best festive fancy dress. 

Santa's helpers will be ringing the bells on the same day in Paisley, as the Jingle Bell Fun Runreturns on Sunday, 5 December. The 3K run in Barshaw Park is open to all runners/walkers aged 8 and over, and the 1K to runners/walkers of all ages. Participants are encouraged to wear jingle bells on their hats, coats, gloves, shoes or wherever they choose to become part of an amazing, moving, jingling orchestra. Additional bells, Christmas-themed medals and spot prizes for fancy dress will add to the festive atmosphere. 

Edinburgh’s runners will be able to get into the festive spirit at the Great Scottish Events’ Christmas Charity Festival. The 5K, 10K Run and Walk and Santa Toddle will all take place on Sunday, 5 December at Inverleith Park. Santa’s Cairngorm Reindeer and Santa’s Grotto will be on hand to keep the little elves happy the ho-ho-whole weekend.  

Dundee’s Annual Charity Santa Dash will be raising money for Maggie’s on Sunday, 5 December, with organisers hoping to get as many Santas as possible to take part. All entrants over the age of 16 will receive a Santa suit (complete with beard for the adults), medal and certificate as part of their entry. Santa hats will be provided for the under 5s.
 
Back in the North-East, the Deveron Harriers invite everyone to take part in the third edition of their Whitehills Xmas 5K Fun Run (Saturday, 11 December), which this time will raise funds for the Deveronvale Community HUB. Fancy dress is encouraged, with spot prizes for the best. 

Santas, elves and their well-behaved dogs who fancy a run along a different coast – and don’t mind getting their feet wet – can head to North Berwick, for the fifth edition of their Santa Beach Run on Sunday, 19 December. This year the East Lothian run, which offers 2K (all ages), 5K (13+) and 10K (17+) distance events, will be raising funds for Movement On The Ground, a charity in aid of refugees.  

Image: North Berwick Santa Beach Run (facebook)