Santas were out in force in Liverpool last weekend for the 20th anniversary BTR Liverpool Santa Dash. The city was transformed into a sea of Santas on Sunday 1 December, with the spectacular attracting a staggering 8,556 red, blue, and mini Santas. This was the largest number of entries for a decade. Last year’s figure of 6,100 was snowballed with two weeks to go as Santas dashed to sign up.

Rugby League legend Kevin Sinfield CBE chose the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash to begin his Running Home For Christmas challenge to support MND charities. He was joined by special guests Liverpool FC’s John Barnes, Everton FC’s Peter Reid, and Liverpool FC Women’s Gemma Bonner.

Kevin went on to run over 230 miles across seven days in memory of his friend and former team mate Rob Burrow. This was his fifth annual challenge, having already raised almost £10million for the MND community. After completing the Santa Dash, Kevin ran another 2K before heading to Seacombe, Port Sunlight, Hooton, Ellesmere Port, Chester, and Wrexham – completing the first of 50 kilometres in one day in 7K blocks.

Santas were supporting the eight BTR charity partners for the 2024 event portfolio – Alder Hey Children’s Charity; Claire House Children’s Hospice; Clatterbridge Cancer Charity; Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity; Mersey Cares; North West Air Ambulance; Wirral University Teaching Hospital; and Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.

BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell commented: “The Liverpool Santa Dash is one of the most challenging events we stage, but it’s also the most rewarding. It’s a huge task for a small team, but every Santa has their own reason for taking part and that makes it all worthwhile. It really does put Liverpool on the Christmas map.

"It was an amazing day. Those smiles, laughter, high fives, and a real sense of warmth. Only in Liverpool. Three words kept cropping up on the day – atmosphere, incredible, and community. Shall we aim for 10,000 Santas next year, why not?”

The date for next year’s event is confirmed as Sunday 7 December 2025. Entries are open and more than 150 eager Santas have already signed up. If you'd like to know more, visit the BTR Liverpool website or enter the Santa Dash here.

Image: BTR Liverpool