Explained: Here’s why you saw 8,000 santas running through Liverpool this weekend

Unless you were living under a rock on Sunday, or extremely hungover from a weekend night out on the town, then you most likely saw thousands of fully grown people running through Liverpool city centre in Santa Claus outfits. It’s a bit of a wacky one, I know.

No, you’re not hallucinating, and yes, you’ve only got 23 more long days until Christmas.

This Sunday was the iconic time of year when Liverpool plays host to a 5k charity run in support of Claire House Children’s Hospice – the best part is that all the participants dress up as santa to raise money, and festive spirits!

The annual BTR Santa Dash always takes place on the first Sunday of December, and this year marked the 20th anniversary of the event, in which an estimated 8,556 people attended in support of the charity, up from 6,000 runners in 2023.

Claire House Children’s Hospice supports terminally ill children and their families, providing them care during the most difficult period of their lives. Alongside the thousands of festive runners putting a smile on everyone’s faces this weekend, Claire House aims to help children live their lives to the fullest at every opportunity they can.

The turn out involves people from all ages, including young children, babies in pushchairs, students, dogs and even some not-so-festive runners dressed as the Grinch.

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Starting at Liverpool’s Pier Head, the route took the santas on a loop through the city centre before reaching the finish line at the Town Hall. Those who finished the race were greeted by a fake snow machine and drumming band Katumba, before being congratulated with a medal by the Cadets of Liverpool.

The spectacle didn’t stop there, as characters on stilts and all-things-festive took over the city centre, and the merriments continued over at the Santa Dash Bash at Gravity Max in Liverpool ONE.

This year’s event included a guest appearance from Rugby League legend Kevin Sinfield CBE, who joined the Santas at the start line in support of the MMD Community, remembering his former team mate Rob Burrow. He was also accompanied by former Everton and Liverpool football players Peter Reid and John Barnes.

Also at the starting line, the Lord Mayor Of Liverpool, Councillor Richard Kemp, and Lady Mayoress Erica Kemp helped kick off the run.

Organisations and business across Merseyside showed their support for the Santa Dash, with Arriva offering free bus travel throughout the day for anyone participating in the event. That explains why I saw St Nick on the top deck of the 86A in the morning I suppose.

Before Sunday’s event, the run had already raised an estimated £27,000 for the Claire House Hospice, alongside Zoe’s Place, Alder Hey Hospital and the North West Air Ambulance service. Even more funds have been expected to have come in over the past weekend.

The run was also overlooked by the HMS Prince of Wales ship, which docked in Liverpool Sunday morning as the run was taking place. This event was expected to have brought in another 10,000 people to Pier Head, so you’ll image it was a busy place to be this Sunday!

Well done to all the santas involved!

Featured image via Instagram @clairehouse