Santa Dash 2025 - Leeds

Such fun!

Imagine three thousand Santa’s of all shapes and sizes running through the streets of a major town in aid of charity, it warms the heart.

Mostly this year I’ve been running with a finish or time-goal in mind, or training towards such things but not today. Today I’m out for a fun run and it is fun. So much fun I heartily recommend a Santa Dash to anyone who enjoys the company of many hundred or so like-minded individuals coming together; be that because it’s a laugh, because it’s Christmas, or because it’s for charity.

This is my first Santa Dash and although it’s only three kilometres, in the Yorkshire drizzle, the feeling is one of delight not suffering.

Hosted by Run For All it’s a well organised event, with all proceeds from our entry fee going to MND charity. And as usual with an organised event the Start line is clear, the medics are available and the host and music on point for what is going to be another spectacular event.

And although the forecast was dire it hasn’t deterred anyone from turning up or having a good time, bringing their kids, their grandparents or their other halves, many I

guess may not be into running – but that doesn’t matter.

It may be called a Santa Dash, but not everyone runs. Many run / walk or maybe simply walk with grit and determination normally associated with seasoned Marathon runners.

For today we are all winners, we are doing something we enjoy. And that must count for something in a world where we’re bombarded by misery on a regular basis.

Everyone is good natured, no one complains of the inclement drizzle. In fact, many seem to relish being here despite the weather. Not that the horrendous forecast came to pass, a light drizzle is nothing compared to what the forecasters had been foreboding – but that’s the weather for you.

And for those of us who need it there’s a light community warm-up session, three thousand Santa’s arm waving, foot jiggling and hip gyrating – a sight to behold for sure.

And one more reason many are here, it’s to accompany their hero Kevin Sinfield as he completes his latest charity run for Motor Neurone Disease; his 777

quest with the Leeds Santa Dash being the last three kilometres of his spectacular fundraiser.

So, as Kevin arrives at 2pm to say a few words we all cheer before shuffling forward and then “we’re off!” as he leads the pack of Santa’s in a snaking line from Leeds Becket University to the Headingly Stadium three kilometres down the road.

The roads are closed, the traffic stopped, and after exiting the campus we’re rounding a corner onto the road, the bus lane, avoiding bollards and not stopping for traffic lights no matter what their colour.

The Santa Suits are a kind of velvet, a one-size fits all that many have customised to their own body shape, some more successfully than others. Long in the leg I just need a belt to hold my generously waisted trousers up, but others are less fortunate; they run with sagging bums, hitching the fabric as they go or splitting seams as they push too hard in material not altogether designed for what we’re subjecting it to.

Parents help and cajole their children, keeping them going with praise and encouragement while teenagers and young twenty-somethings slow to a walk having developed a stitch unaccustomed as they are to running. While older stalwart runners, to whom three kilometres is a distance to be both respected and taken in it’s stride, maintain an even pace throughout secure in the knowledge this is nothing compared to the usual distances they cover.

It's a comfortable atmosphere, polite, no jostling, runners helping runners picking up and handing back fallen clothing or possessions as we pound the tarmac.

As I peer out through drizzle-covered glasses at the route ahead, to make sure I know where I’m going, I wave to the cheering crowds, grin with joy behind my false beard and wonder in the knowledge that we must look a crazy sight - Santa’s of all shapes and sizes running in a mile-long trail of red bringing joy and camaraderie to so many. Maybe next year others will take the plunge and join us, I hope so, because it’s quite liberating running down the street dressed as we are just for the fun of it.

Then all too soon we’re though the main shopping street of Headingly and onto some of the smaller back-roads as we make our way into the Headingly Stadium ground and the finish line.

Here many stop their watches, having recorded what must be their shortest run ever. I’ve left my watch at home, this is not a day to get a Personal Best or add to my fitness scores, this is a day of fun and that in itself is a liberation – running for the sheer heck of it, no time target in sight.

After the Finish Line I slow to a stop, collect my “Santa Dash” medal and bar of chocolate, pass on the free bottle of water and follow the crowd into the stadium proper.

There we sit amongst the stands, out of the now relentless drizzle, entertained by the Leeds Rhino mascot as we await the arrival of ...

What he has done in both the actual fundraising and awareness for MND in the name of his friend Rob Burrow is amazing and all three thousand Santa’s and their non-running accompaniers show their respect big time.

And then it’s over, our Dash is complete, and with some reluctance we start to make our way home.

It’s raining now, and a bit cooler but no one complains as bunches of Santa’s spread out all over Headingly to their cars, café’s and bars. For myself I’ve at least a mile to go, as I was unsure of the road closures and parking facilities, but I don’t mind. It’s been an excellent day and I’m chuffed I was part of it and in the fundraising play my part.

And the thought uppermost in my mind as I jog back to my car is that I must do this again.