We know it's still October and we are barely past the autumn equinox but there are only two months 'til Christmas and we know that many of you like to plan well ahead. Besides this, ever since the internet reached the North Pole the Elves have been reminding us earlier than ever of everything we need to do to make this year the best celebration yet!

Sussex-based Nice Work Race Management is your go-to place for festive fayre in the running world, with around 20 Santa-themed races at a dozen venues.

Sunday 24 November 2024 is the first sighting of Christmas races on the Nice Work calendar. The Bushy Christmas 10K and 5K will be held in Bushy Park, famed as the home of the world's first parkrun 20 years ago. This is mostly run on hard tracks and tarmac, with a small grass section. Look out for the resident herd of Red Deer – that's Red Deer, not Reindeer! A feature of this and other races in the Nice Work portfolio is a special prize for the best festive fancy-dressed runner.

Sunday 1 December will see the first ever Green Santa Run 10K, 5K, and 1K children's races in Alice Holt Forest, Farnham, Surrey, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and sustainability.

One week later, on Sunday 8 December, on a busy day for Nice Work's very own elves, there are the Richmond Christmas 10K and 5K races in one of London's most beautiful Royal Parks and the traditional Seaford Striders Mince Pie 10-mile multi-terrain from Peacehaven Leisure Centre in Sussex.

As the big day looms ever nearer, there are plenty more festive events to enter at venues like Southend in Essex; Hastings in Sussex, and Betteshanger Country Park in Kent.

For more information and to enter directly, click on any of the links above.

Photo from the Nice Work Richmond Christmas 10K courtesy of Nice Work